Resurrection After Rape Community Group
Discussion, question-and-answer, general social support, and journal processing for progress-oriented rape survivors. No crisis, no damaging or triggering conflicts--this is for individuals who want to contribute to collective, cooperative action toward the goal of making actual PROGRESS through rape trauma. Much of this work is based on the book "Resurrection After...
As you know, it's important to keep the schedule VERY loose at the retreat because women like to have plenty of casual time, and not feel rushed into activities. So if you're a potential newcomer, don't be surprised that the days seem to have very few events scheduled--that's on purpose.
All activities are optional and purely voluntary. Nobody is expected to be part of any activity they'd prefer to decline.
Thursday:
Arrive late afternoon for dinner
Friday:
Morning gathering/talking activity
Evening sweatlodge for some;
afternoon/evening Horseback event (with campfire dinner) for others.
Saturday:
Morning sweatlodge
Daytime horseback event (if there are enough people who want to do the horseback event, I'll add this second opportunity for Saturday. Otherwise, it'll just be Friday)
Evening: music concert
Sunday:
Morning gathering/closing
There is no cost for the sweatlodge (in fact, it's considered culturally offensive to charge money for ceremonies, and is a red flag of a charlatan!). None of the registration payment applies to the sweatlodge in any way; I provide those materials and work as a freewill offering to the retreat. Any person who needs to be part of this but can't attend the full retreat is welcome.
QUESTION FOR THE GROUP:
Do you want me to build the sweatlodge for you in advance, like usual? Or do you want me to gather the materials and have us set it up as a group? For some people it might be meaningful to be part of building it, but I'd be happy to take care of that before the retreat even starts if you want.
All activities are optional and purely voluntary. Nobody is expected to be part of any activity they'd prefer to decline.
Thursday:
Arrive late afternoon for dinner
Friday:
Morning gathering/talking activity
Evening sweatlodge for some;
afternoon/evening Horseback event (with campfire dinner) for others.
Saturday:
Morning sweatlodge
Daytime horseback event (if there are enough people who want to do the horseback event, I'll add this second opportunity for Saturday. Otherwise, it'll just be Friday)
Evening: music concert
Sunday:
Morning gathering/closing
There is no cost for the sweatlodge (in fact, it's considered culturally offensive to charge money for ceremonies, and is a red flag of a charlatan!). None of the registration payment applies to the sweatlodge in any way; I provide those materials and work as a freewill offering to the retreat. Any person who needs to be part of this but can't attend the full retreat is welcome.
QUESTION FOR THE GROUP:
Do you want me to build the sweatlodge for you in advance, like usual? Or do you want me to gather the materials and have us set it up as a group? For some people it might be meaningful to be part of building it, but I'd be happy to take care of that before the retreat even starts if you want.
Sounds like a really good balance of things to do and time for quiet or chatting too,
Fabulous.
I’d totally love to help build the sweatlodge! What a brilliant idea! I’m one to whom it would be deeply, truly meaningful.
Can I ask a question?
Does the person, like Angie, who leads the sweat receive an honorarium or like in Buddhist teaching, dana? It's ok to tell me that's not an appropriate question, too.
As I think about it more, I realize that I'll need to construct the sweatlodge frame beforehand, because it has to be done while the cut willows are still fresh and flexible. And I wouldn't be able to wait until the "day of" to cut them, because I have to rent a special cargo truck to haul them, and then traipse around in the wetlands. So I'll have that part of the construction done a day or two in advance. What we will need to do is to place the tarps and dig the center hole. It's not a huge chore, but I can save that part of the work for those want to assist. It gives us a way to all feel we've been part of preparing it.
I'll be there to assist for sure. I'll have no clue what I'm doing, but that right there is the recipe for adventure! It'll be great :) . And meaningful - yeah I know, I've already said that, but it can't be overstated.
Again, thank you so much for this opportunity.
I might tap a few of you to help set up the Indian Tacos. It's a simple meal to make, but it involves lots of ingredients such as bowls of shredded cheese, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, salsa, etc. Then it's "make your own" in a salad-bar style line.