What is a brotherhood retreat?

This 5-day retreat is an international gathering of HIV-positive gay and bi-sexual men who seek to enrich their lives through deeper insights, awareness and connections to both the community and oneself. We will be learning about medical, psychological and spiritual tools to help create healthier and more fulfilling lives while forging bonds and friendships with other HIV-positive gay men from different parts of the world. The program will include informational and instructional sessions as well as exercises and participation by all the attendees with attention given to the full body-mind-spirit connection. We will also have plenty of time for social activities with movie screenings, nature hikes, and some parties.

Who should attend?

Everybody is welcome, regardless of age, nationality, looks, etc. The only requirements to attend are that you are over 18 years old and identify as a gay or bi-sexual male and that you are affected by HIV either personally or through your partner or by working directly with HIV-positive people. The retreat is designed to help those who wish to enrich their lives in a global community of HIV-positive men through personal inquiry and sharing of experiences with others.

The Logistics

Our location is a comfortable countryside retreat center near Stroudsburg, PA in the Poconos mountains. The scenery is magnificent with forests, mountain ridges, and hiking trails. We will be there during the summer when the water in the pond is warm enough for swimming and nature is in full bloom. There will be three home-cooked and healthy meals served per day.

The cost of the program including room and board is $695* per person in double or triple occupancy**, unless you register after June 22. The fee for late registrations is $795. Early registration discounts apply until May 1.

To register, please send a non-refundable deposit of $200*** by check, money order or PayPal**** along with a completed registration form to:

BROTHERHOOD RETREATS
7515 Hannum Avenue
Culver City CA 90230
USA

SPACES ARE LIMITED SO WE URGE YOU TO REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!

 

Registration Deadlines and Fees

Register by	Total Cost	Deposit Required	Balance Due Date
March 1, 2009 Extended until May 1, 2009!!	$595.00	$200.00	June 22, 2009
June 22, 2009	$695.00	$200.00	June 22, 2009
Anytime after June 22	$795.00	Full amount due	at time of registration

* Early registration discount rates apply according to table above.

**A limited number of single occupancy rooms will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For single occupancy, add a $150 single room fee to the deposit.

*** Payment is due in full by June 22, 2009. Deposits are non-refundable because the retreat center is requiring non-refundable deposits from us. However, deposits are transferrable. If you transfer a deposit to another person's name, the total retreat fee for that person will be based on the date of the transfer—not the date of your registration, unless the retreat is paid in full beforehand, in which case no additional fee will be charged.

****For PayPal payments, please add $15 PER PAYMENT to cover the PayPal fees.

 

Quotes From Previous Participants

"I wish I could convey the new clarity that has been brought to my spiritual journey, but, as with any real growth, words fall short. Suffice it to say that this fresh understanding seems to flow from a place of essential, elemental truth and brings a feeling of universal connectedness and love. Gratitude doesn't cover it. More like joy." —Ted M.

"I have never been so moved in such an intangible way in my life. The yearning for connection with other gay men living with HIV was the purpose of my attendance at the retreat--however--I never expected the spiritual and emotional healing that took place there."—John S.

"This retreat taught me so much about myself and human nature in general. Every Gay man—HIV+ or not—should attend this retreat at least once. It will put all in touch with who they really are and give invaluable instruction in this journey of life and being human."—Daniel A.

"As I have returned to my crazy world and the men and women I help everyday I find myself different, more open, more peaceful when I deal with those returning from war.I think of all of you and will use the strength when times get tough."—Don M.

 

Media Coverage

You can read about us in these articles from Gay Chicago Magazine and The New York Blade.

 

Retreat Facilitators Dr. Alfred Hurst and Claes Lilja

 

Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program

If you need to set up a payment plan or if you cannot afford the Retreat due to financial hardship, please contact us for information on scholarships available. We hope to be able to assist those in need with both fee reductions and travel aid in some cases. A work-study option may be proposed to some participants seeking fee reductions. We have set aside a certain number of spaces at a lower fee for those in need.

Can You Help?

If you are able to afford paying a little more and would like to make a contribution to help make it possible for those with financial hardships to attend, feel free to add any amount to your registration. Your help would be much valued and appreciated and will be used directly to offset somebody else's cost. Another way to help some guys attend could be to donate frequent flyer miles for them to travel with. If you would like to help out this way, please let us know. You can also click on the PayPal button below to make an instant donation.