ABOUT CONSCIOUS GIRLFRIEND ACADEMY LEARNING RETREATS:

Conscious Girlfriend Academy has been providing transformational lesbian retreats since 2015, and we literally wrote the book on conscious lesbian dating and love. Most of our retreats are for Academy members only. However, we also offer occasional "learning retreats," where non-members can attend to have an in-person four-day immersion in the same curriculum our online courses cover. 

TIMES AND DATES FOR THE LESBIAN DATING ESSENTIALS LEARNING RETREAT:

We'll be gathering on Wednesday, August 26 at 4:00 p.m., and will be together until Sunday, August 30 at 12 noon. All of your meals from Wednesday dinner through Sunday breakfast will be included. 

PROGRAM:

• The retreat will include four hours daily of classroom time and experiential learning on Lesbian Dating Essentials -- including how to prepare yourself for dating, gain clarity about your needs and vision, build confidence, find women to date, and date in smart-for-your-heart ways. 

• Each day will also include structured connection time to help you build friendships and community with other participants. Many attendees make lifelong friendships. 

• Plus, we'll have fun! Walking, swimming, boating, jacuzzi and sauna time, campfires with s'mores, music-making and singing -- it's like lesbian summer camp.

Whether you've been out for decades but "never really dated" (as so many lesbians say), are recovering after a big loss, or are new to dating women, this retreat will be life changing! 

EXTENDING YOUR LEARNING POST-RETREAT:

If you choose, you can extend your retreat experience by becoming a member of the Conscious Girlfriend Academy, and participating in our online programs for a full year. We've got unbelievable support, including many live classes throughout the year, weekly coach-led skill-building labs, a weekly group for lesbians 60+, and a weekly group for those coming out later in life. Or, you can opt to just take the online Lesbian Dating Essentials 12-week Intensive, held September 19 - December 12, a la carte. Either way, extending your Academy time past the retreat experience will help you deepen your learning and Academy friendships, and give you time to actually put the course material into practice. 

WHO THIS RETREAT IS FOR:

Conscious Girlfriend retreat attendees are usually between the ages of 45 and 85. Some are longtime lesbians, while others are newly coming out. We welcome bisexual and queer women and adjacent non-binary people, too. We anticipate approximately 25-30 participants. 

VENUE:

We will be staying at Honors Haven resort, a large, beautiful retreat center in the Catskill Mountains in Ellenville, NY, about two hours from NYC. The retreat center has beautiful mountain views, lakes, walking trails, a pool, jacuzzi, saunas, comfortable lodging and great food. 

>See the facilities at the Honor's Haven website here 

Retreat attendance can only be booked through us, not through the facility.

RETREAT INCLUDES:

• Four nights of accommodation in a premium room, single (king) or double (full beds) with private bath and lake, mountain or garden views.

• Delicious buffet-style meals and snacks beginning Wednesday, August 26 at 4:00 p.m., through Sunday, August 30, 12:00 noon. Special dietary needs can be accommodated. 

HOW THIS RETREAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

There's really nowhere else you can find this kind of conscious, emotionally intelligent, welcoming lesbian/queer learning environment.  

Amazing things happen both at, and after our retreats. For instance, "Ann," who attended last January, arrived knowing no one, and had only met one other lesbian in her life. Now, four months later, she's immersed in supportive lesbian community and is happily in her first lesbian relationship, too. "Jill" came following a fresh heartbreak ("I ignored so many red flags," she admitted ruefully.) Now she's got the confidence to know she won't do that again, plus a whole posse of queer friends supporting her healing process.  

FEES:

Early-Bird Rates through June 26, 2026: $2099 single (your own room) or $1799 double (you may request a roommate, or sign up with a friend who wishes to share your room)

Rate if you sign up June 27-August 20, if available: $2299 single, $1999 double

Not sure if this retreat is right for you? We're glad to have a 1:1 chat to help you figure it out. >Book your phone chat with our warm, wise Outreach Director, Jen, here. 

ABOUT OUR BUBBLING WELLS OASIS RETREAT

 20 minutes from Palm Springs, CA

November 5-9

Conscious Girlfriend Academy members only

DATES AND TIMES: 

Thursday, November 5, 4:00 p.m. - Monday, November 9, 11:00 a.m. (includes Thursday dinner, three meals per day Friday-Sunday, and Monday breakfast)

VENUE:

Bubbling Wells Oasis is a spectacular, secluded yet conveniently-located 107-acre retreat in Desert Hot Springs, CA, just 10 miles from the Palm Springs airport. Bubbling Wells offers three massive 104-degree natural mineral hot springs tubs, a private lake, an infinity pool, expansive views, gorgeous tiered patios with art and many special spots for reflection and connection, and miles of walking trails. We will have the whole place for our exclusive use. See photos here. 

SIZE: 

We have room for 70 participants. 

LODGING OPTIONS:

There are very few bedrooms on site, so participants will stay off-site in nearby hotels that also have their own mineral pools. YOUR LODGING COST IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT TUITION.  

Aqua Soleil is the closest, and reasonably priced. If most Academy members stay here, we could take over much of the hotel :)

Miracle Springs is less than 10 minutes away, and also reasonably priced

Azure Palms is also less than 10 minutes away, and a great luxury pick. However, it may not be worth it, since you'll be spending all your time with us at Bubbling Wells. 

It will be your own responsibility to book lodging of your choice.

TUITION: 

Early bird retreat tuition of $1199, available through September 5, includes the gathering space, all meals Thursday dinner through Sunday dinner, and our program. NOTE: THIS FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE LODGING, WHICH YOU MUST BOOK ON YOUR OWN. If space is available after September 5, tuition will go up to $1349. We do anticipate this retreat selling out. 

FOOD:

Fresh, delicious California cuisine with lots of fruit and veggies, catered by an experienced chef, and friendly to people on all kinds of diets (we'll put out a questionnaire ahead of time so you can tell us if you're vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or have other special food needs.) 

ACCESSIBILITY:

There is a parking area near the 5000-square-foot, artist-built mansion whose indoor space and outdoor patio will be our meeting space. The brick path from the parking area to the house is relatively flat and short. Some bathrooms may be accessible depending on individual mobility needs, but the owners do not guarantee full ADA compliance. However, much of the broader property is not accessible, because it features loose sand, uneven terrain, natural paths, and areas without handrails. The lakes, ponds, jacuzzis, trails and some outdoor areas do require navigating stairs.   

See pictures and learn more about Bubbling Wells Oasis here, but please don't contact the Oasis directly. All questions should come to us. 

TRANSPORTATION:

Best airport to fly into: Palm Springs (10 miles away)

We anticipate that many members will either bring cars, or rent cars, so there will be transportation available from the nearby lodging to the Bubbling Wells retreat space.

PROGRAM: 

Our activities will include:

• Ruth teaching live on topics related to Lesbian Dating Essentials and emotional repair and/or sexuality (we will poll attendees for your preferences!)

• Jen leading connection exercises based on the Lesbian Manatee Connection cards

• Mini-workshops facilitated by some of our participants, including morning meditation or yoga

• Lots of connection opportunities, both structured and unstructured

• OPTIONAL: ATTEND THE INDIGO GIRLS CONCERT IN PALM SPRINGS TOGETHER ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

If you arrive in the area early or stay late, excursions to Joshua Tree National Park (45 minutes away) and/or Palm Springs, including the aerial tram (20 minutes away) are highly recommended. Beginning in June, we will create opportunities for retreat attendees to connect with each other so you can make your lodging, transportation and excursion plans together. 

ABOUT DAYSPRING

Dayspring Retreat is a sacred spot on the Manatee River, with beautiful walking paths, wetlands, gardens and a labyrinth that invites you to steady your breath, gentle your mind, and open your heart. There are also indoor and outdoor chapels which will be open to us for personal reflection, meditation and healing. 

Best airport to fly into: Tampa 

WE HOPE YOU WON'T NEED TO CANCEL, BUT... 

If you sign up for a retreat and then cancel, we can give you a full refund 60 days before the retreat start date, or a 50% refund 30 days before the start date. There will be no refunds less than 30 days before the start date, though you are welcome to sell or transfer your retreat space to another person.