The biannual ACA Fall Retreat is coming up November 19-22 in Port Orchard, Washington. Deadline to register is November 9. There are scholarships available, and there are usually plenty. If you are a member of a meeting in Oregon or the True Selves Group on Monday in Portland, please note that on the application. Scholarships are being offered from the True Selves and Oregon Intergroup that are earmarked for these meetings respectively. The deadline for the scholarship is November 2.
Never been to the retreat before? Here is how one member describes it:
The whole retreat is planned and workshops given by volunteers. In the past, there have been workshops on many subjects of interest to ACAs and codependents, such as the ones we have presented on grieving, bullying, and working with our inner child; also finding a HP, changing our self-talk, mirror work, collaging, storytime. There is a chance to share a few times daily in a small “family group” with an abbreviated 12-step meeting, plus time for walking in the woods around the lake, or the labyrinth. The dining hall, play and craft room, and sometimes the workshop rooms are available for folks to gather or work alone. (Coffee and tea on tap.) The cabins are a short walk from the lodge, and there is also space there for hanging out. There is often dance music on in one room, and regular events include a dance on Saturday eve, a bonfire, an affirmation circle, a candlelight meeting. Everything is optional! There is a safety committee of folks available for a private talk if emotional issues arise. I have always benefitted from the retreats and this will be my 8th one.
The beginning is a potluck 6pm Thursday eve, and I like to arrive about 4pm and settle into my cabin space. Workshops are planned for about 10-5 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. Meals are buffet style and do not conflict with other offerings. We depart after lunch and closing, about 2pm Sunday.
