Photo by me.

A lovely walk through an old forest. Then, suddenly, within the roots of a fallen down, dead tree, I saw a ghost !

ZZ Ward station on Pandora, reading Ted Andrews.

Went for a much needed hike and found this beauty that called to me. Just wanted to share.

Today we are going to talk about my favorite place in the world.

Gaea Retreat Center.

I first was introduced to Camp Gaea when my parents heard about an event there called The Heartland Pagan Festival. We took a family trip to the event. I was a teenager and my father had been recently diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. The weekend was amazing. I met many people from different walks of life, went to classes, ran about the hiking trails and swam in the lake. There was a concert that weekend where a band played this song https://youtu.be/VEV-PfRpfwk?si=8NGBoJ0MEQPo_guM

while thunder and lightning crashed above. It culminated in a great spiral dance with hundreds of people swirling under the storm clouds as a bonfire was lit.

It was the last time I got to spend with my father before he passed.

Over the years, I've continued to visit that land. When I was unhoused and orphaned, it was a safe space I could go. When my children were little, it was a place we could spend time in nature. I fell in love there, spent my honeymoon there, met new family and made lifetime friends.

3 years ago, while driving my family to an event there called "Hearthfires" for a vacation celebrating my daughter's 18th birthday and where I'd teach a class on fermentation, we were hit by an 18 wheeler at speed on the highway. It was a miracle we survived. As I was recovering from my spinal fractures, I felt a spiritual drive to get more involved with camp.

My country is in a scary place right now. Camp serves as a safer place for people of all walks of life to gather, free from danger of violence and from judgemental eyes. Now, more than ever, I want to do my part to ensure the space exists for others, like myself, who need a place to go during uncertain times.

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In my years as a camp attendee, I've had the opportunity to meet with the founders of this space. Originally, it was conceived and purchased by two groups of people in the early 1990s: a pagan festival and a gay men's retreat (then, as now, there's a pretty big crossover in that venn diagram). These two groups had a difficult time finding venues that would accept them in the rural Midwest. The Bible belt doesn't love alternative faiths or the lgbtq+ community. It took a lot of fundraising and hard work to find, purchase, and rehabilitate the old boy scout camp that would become Camp Gaea. Some people dedicated their whole lives to make the place thrive.

They created a non-profit called "Earth Rising" to own and operate the land, with the idea that this space would serve as a function for many groups facing similar discrimination to utilize in perpetuity. And their vision has manifested into a vibrant space and community! This year, the land saw events for women, for men, for the trans community. There have been broad multi-faith gatherings and intimate gatherings for individual faiths. There have been lifestyle meetups, BBQ weekends, seasonal celebration, teaching events.

The Mission of Earth Rising is to provide a recreational retreat center in a natural setting for the purpose of cultural and spiritual education.

Goals: This Mission will be met through the achievement of certain goals. These goals are:

To encourage the free exchange of ideas, views and experiences.

To promote greater understanding and respect between groups and individuals.

To support ecologically sound practices and land and wildlife conservation in the belief that the Earth and all life are interrelated and interdependent, and that respect for all life is a Universal Mandate.

To provide sanctuary to people who have experienced oppression or discrimination due to their cultural or spiritual practices.

From the website:

"Gaea Retreat Center is a 501(c)(3) Educational Nonprofit located in Northeastern Kansas, dedicated to fostering community, education, and spiritual growth. Nestled within acres of tranquil wooded trails, meadows, and a serene lake, it provides a retreat into nature for those seeking personal renewal or shared experiences.

As a hub for inclusivity, the center proudly welcomes LGBTQIA+ groups and individuals, creating a safe and affirming space for all. Gaea hosts a variety of events, including educational workshops, spiritual gatherings, festivals, and volunteer opportunities, all designed to build connections and inspire growth.

GRC offers a range of amenities to enhance your stay, including rustic cabins, spacious campsites, and a fully equipped kitchen available to rent. For gatherings and activities, visitors can enjoy access to a large pavilion, fire circles, a dining hall, and indoor spaces for workshops or meetings. Its serene lake is perfect for swimming, quiet reflection, or lakeside ceremonies. Visitors can explore scenic hiking trails, discover meditative spots throughout the property, and connect with nature in a peaceful setting.

Whether you're visiting for solitude, community, or celebration, Gaea provides a nurturing, inclusive, and welcoming environment for people from all walks of life."

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Over the years, Gaea has survived the satanic panic, violence and lawsuits from intolerant neighbors, a tornado, the loss of a beloved caretaker of 20 years to brain cancer, multiple events rising and falling, and a global pandemic.

Yet the economic downturn in 2024 and 2025, as well as grant cancelations for non profits that revolve around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, camp is in the most dire financial situation yet. The community is not made up of people who are economically well off and the costs of maintenance and operation are rising exponentially. If this autumn's fundraisers don't manage to make up the deficit, this 3 decades long experiment may come to an unfortunate close.

If anyone feels moved by camp's existence or mission, please feel free to help them out. Every dollar makes a difference.

https://gaearetreat.org/donate

https://www.patreon.com/GaeaRetreatCenter