Gaea Retreat Center

Gaea is the ancient Greek name for Mother Earth, or Earth Mother. She is the wife of Chaos and joined with him to produce all of known reality. The sanctuary that is Gaea honors Mother Earth.

Earth Rising Inc., is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization that owns and operates Gaea Retreat Center. There is a board of directors that meets on a monthly basis. The date, time and location of the next board meeting is posted on the calendar page.

No, Gaea is designed as a recreational retreat center for the purpose of cultural and spiritual education. As such, the camp promotes tolerance, acceptance and respect between groups and individuals. We neither promote nor discourage nudity as it is a personal and spiritual choice.
However, clothing is required in many places, such as in public buildings, on or along the main access roads, and open areas adjacent to property fence lines. If you are walking nude and enjoying Gaea, you should have suitable clothing to cover when in areas where required as well as provide some clothing or material to sit on.

Gaea Retreat Center is private property and permission to be on the property is governed by the Earth Rising, Inc. Board of Directors and implemented by caretakers of the property. Under normal circumstances anyone who abides by the rules is welcome on the property, except during scheduled exclusive events when the entire facility has been reserved by a private organization. Permission to be on the property can be rescinded due to flagrant violation of the rules or the Respect Agreement.

No, no, and no. If this is what you are after when you come out to Gaea, then you will probably be unhappy with us and we may end up very unhappy with you. “Cruising for a pick-up" is behavior that is unwelcome and discouraged.

Pets are allowed at Gaea. Pets include any companion animal you bring to camp. For the safety of pets and others, please read and familiarize yourself with our pet rules. They will be stringently enforced.

• All pets must be on a 6-10 foot non-retractable leash.
• Pets may not be tied out or tied to trees.
• Owners should maintain physical control of the animal at all times.
• When away from your pet, it must be in a kennel. Even inside a tent or cabin.
• Pets are not to be confined to your vehicle in extreme heat or cold.
• Pets are not allowed in the dining hall or shower house.
• Do not bring your pet to camp if it has known aggression issues. If your pet is aggressive, you will be asked to remove your pet from the property.
• If your pet becomes a nuisance, as in the case of excessive dog barking, you will be asked to remove your pet from the property.
• You will need to provide proof of rabies vaccination if requested. Please have that available.

All rules apply to animals deemed as emotional support animals.

As stated by federal law, dogs and miniature horses are the only animals recognized as service animals.

There are many trails and tent-camping sites on the camp property and you are welcome to set up your tent in most areas. Do NOT tie ropes or wires to the trees in any way that will injure or damage them, and take them down when you leave. Please do not block established trails and please do NOT "Bush-Whack". You may remove small weeds from a tent-camp site but do NOT cut any trees or bushes that are larger in diameter than your thumb, and try not to disturb the numerous berry patches, flower areas, or planted trees. Also, be aware that there are many sacred and ritual areas around Gaea. These may be well-tended, marked areas or may be a simple pile of rocks or a cleared area. If in doubt, show the area respect.

Do NOT cut firewood except for downed, dead trees. Collecting downed branches is acceptable. Don’t go into the wood corral by the sheds without explicit permission - much of the wood in this area has been specifically gathered for special purposes.

Do NOT build your own fire-ring - please use only the established and maintained fire pits. You may bring and use a portable barbeque or fire hearth, but please do not dump ashes from them on the ground - take the ashes with you when you leave or put them in an established fire pit. Please do not dump anything in the Main Ritual fire circle or in the Bardic fire circle on Sunset Ridge. These are considered ritual sites by many people.

Cabins offer electricity but no plumbing. Cabin bunks are single mattresses on a frame. You will need to bring your own bedding (pillow, sheets, blankets, sleeping bag, etc.). Just like a campsite, you are expected to leave the cabin in better shape than you found it.

Extended Stay Policy (festivals excluded)

Effective January 15th, 2018, camping stays lasting more than 14 days in a rolling 30 day period will require approval of the Board of Directors.  Approval must be obtained at a board meeting prior to your arrival.  Requests can be submitted in person, via a Caretaker, or can be emailed to camp (https://gaearetreat.org/contact) for inclusion in the next scheduled meeting.  A cash deposit of 50% of the total approved extended stay period is required.  If you will doing work exchange for your stay, the deposit is still required, but will be refunded to you after the completion of your assigned work exchange.  Any unpaid fees will be due at the end of your extended stay and must be paid before an additional extended stay can be approved.  Check-out will be at midnight the last night of your extended stay, and all tents and personal items must be removed from property at that time.

An exclusive event means the camp is rented exclusively for group use. Camp is closed to the public during the exclusive rental. It is advisable to always check the calendar before heading out to Gaea.

Small group activities in reserved areas of camp are considered non-exclusive. The areas that are reserved are not open for use, be it camping, sunbathing, driving, walking, etc. It is advisable to always check the calendar before heading out to Gaea.