Gay Men's Spiritual Retreat · 2026Program of Events

The Elemental Retreat

Camp Stevens · Julian, CaliforniaEarth · Air · Fire · Water

Friday

Fire · Arrival & Kindling
Afternoon
1:00 PM

Registration Opens

Blum

Check-in opens for arriving campers.

1:00 PM

Swimming · Volleyball · Jenga

Pool

Recreational activities available at the pool area. Pool open 1:00 – 5:00 PM.

3:00 PM

Ice Cream Party

Pool

Social gathering with ice cream by the pool.

4:00 PM

Water Aerobics

Pool

Active pool workout session.

Evening
5:00 PM

Elements Orientation

Chapel

Welcome session and orientation to kick off the retreat.

6:00 PM

Dinner · Board serves

Dining Hall

Dinner meal served by the GMSR Board of Directors.

7:15 PM

Icebreaker

Blum

Community connection and icebreaker activity. Led by Marco H.

8:00 PM

Atomic Habits

Blum

Evening workshop session. Presented by Shawn L.

After Dark
10:00 PM

Drag Bingo

Dining Hall

Come play bingo and win fabulous prizes. Hosted by Miss Viagra.

After Atomic Habits

Star Gayz

Lawn

Far from city lights under the dark skies of Julian, the stars shine bright and a whole new world opens up overhead. A guided tour of the heavens: stars, constellations, landmarks, and deep-sky wonders through a large telescope. With resident amateur astronomer Chris Mason.

After Atomic Habits

Camp Fire

Fire Pit

Gathering around the campfire. Supplies provided, including fixings for s'mores.

After Atomic Habits

Blum Mafia

Blum

A game of deception and deduction. Put your detective skills to the test, survive the night, and make new allies and enemies. Led by RJ Santos.

10:00 PM

Candlelight 12 Step Meeting

Chapel

Late-night 12-step recovery meeting.

Saturday

Earth · Body & Ground
Morning
7:00 AM

HIIT Burn Session

Lawn

Rooted in the Elemental theme of fire, BURN combines strength, endurance, movement, and mindset. The workout challenges the body while reconnecting mind and spirit. All levels welcome. Led by Dallas Peters.

7:00 AM

Daily Gratitude 12 Step Meeting

Chapel

Morning recovery meeting focused on gratitude. Led by Nathan F.

7:00 AM

Cold Plunge

Basketball Court

Early-morning cold immersion, following the HIIT Burn Session. Led by Dallas.

8:00 AM

Breakfast · Bishop

Dining Hall

Breakfast for all campers; set up by Bishop.

9:00 AM

Hike

Bell

Guided trail hike starting at the Bell. Moderately difficult and a decent workout; 1 – 1.5 hours. Led by Ben N.

9:00 AM

Rewriting Our Stories

Blum · A

Through guided reflection, honest conversation, and writing, this workshop offers a space to untangle shame from identity, reclaim parts of yourself, and step into a story that fits. Maximum 30 men. Led by Michael T.

9:00 AM

Archery

Archery Range

Morning outdoor archery session. Spots are limited; consider the 10:30 session as well. Led by Camp Staff.

10:30 AM

Elemental Intimacy: Sex, Connection & Self-Awareness

Blum · A

Explores how Earth, Air, Fire, and Water show up in our relationships, desires, emotions, and patterns. Deepen self-awareness and challenge old beliefs through interactive exercises. Led by Oscar Droege-Sanchez.

10:30 AM

Archery

Archery Range

Morning outdoor archery session. Spots are limited; consider the 9:00 session as well. Led by Camp Staff.

10:30 AM

Friendship Bracelet Workshop

Dining Hall

Come make a friendship bracelet with a friend, or for a friend! Instruction by Camp Stevens staff.

10:30 AM

naked HUGS: Healing Ugly Guy Shit

A-Frames

If any part of you still puts up walls or hides behind a mask, join us to shed the "ugly": the unwanted, unresolved crap that keeps you from being fully present. In a safe space, reveal your more authentic self as you let go of limiting beliefs, destructive messages, and negative energy. A non-sexual opportunity to stand in your truer manhood among men. Get as naked as you are ready; nudity is not mandatory to attend. Strictly limited to 12 men; sign up in advance with Shawn Lee. Led by Marc Gravallese, Certified Professional Coach & Energy Practitioner.

Afternoon
12:00 PM

Lunch · Blum even rooms

Dining Hall

Lunch for all campers; set up by Blum even-numbered rooms.

1:00 PM

Practicing Atomic Habits

Blum · A

Applies key frameworks from Atomic Habits to redesign daily behaviors, with interactive partner exercises and guided reflection on habit loops and identity shifts. Led by Jesus Okendo.

1:00 PM

Love & Sobriety 12 Step Speaker Meeting

Chapel

Recovery speaker meeting on understanding love and sobriety. Speaker: Kevin Nichols.

1:00 PM

Mindfulness in Nature

Lawn

Tap into the healing properties of nature with a guided mindfulness meditation, walking through the landscape with your own personal horticulturist. Led by Ira.

1:00 – 5:00 PM

Pool Open

Pool

Open swimming and relaxation hours.

3:00 PM

Angel Walk

Lawn

An experiential outdoor walk through positive affirmations. All camp encouraged to attend. Led by Kevin Davis.

4:00 PM

Yogic Breathwork

Blum · A

Conscious breathing and pranayama workshop. Led by Mikee V.

4:00 PM

Cold Plunge

Basketball Court

Afternoon cold immersion opportunity. Led by Dallas.

Evening
5:00 PM

Qigong

Lawn

Use simple movements and a meditative state of mind to tap into and enjoy a gentle flow of intrinsic energy. Led by Michael H.

6:00 PM

Dinner · Blum odd rooms

Dining Hall

Dinner for all campers; set up by Blum odd-numbered rooms.

8:00 PM

Camp at the Amp

Amphitheatre

Evening camp entertainment and show at the amphitheatre. Prizes for the winners of Mr. and Miss Camp Stevens!

After Dark
10:00 PM

Pies

Bergstrom

Late-night pie and social gathering up the hill at the Bergstrom cabin.

10:00 PM

Board Games

Blum · Full

Social gathering for interactive board games.

Sunday

Water · Reflection & Release
Morning
7:00 AM

Yoga

Blum

Morning centering yoga practice. Led by Mikee V.

7:00 AM

12 Step Open Meeting

Chapel

Morning open 12-step recovery circle. Led by Tyler L.

8:00 AM

Breakfast · Lax-Sadler

Dining Hall

Breakfast for all campers; set up by Lax-Sadler.

9:00 AM

Singing Bowls

Blum

Sound healing and meditation using singing bowls. Guided by the wonderful Maria-Teresa.

9:00 AM

Garden Tour

Lawn

A one-hour community tour of what's happening now in the gardens and the garden philosophy, ending at the petting zoo: a pig, five goats, and eight chickens. Limited to 30 people. Led by Camp Stevens staff.

10:30 AM

Reflection Circle

Blum

A closing community reflection and sharing circle. All camp is encouraged to attend, to reflect and share about their experience over the weekend.

Afternoon
12:00 PM

Lunch

Dining Hall

Final retreat lunch meal.

1:00 PM

Camp Cleanup

TBD

Collective packing, teardown, and cleaning before departure.

A technology-free table

Camp Stevens has asked that the Dining Hall remain a technology-free space. Kindly leave your phones in your cabins at meal times.

Questions?

Find any GMSR Board Member with questions throughout the weekend. We're here and glad to help.

GMSR 2026 · Elemental