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SEPTEMBER 27th - 29th 2024
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
Discover yourself and the world around you in a new light, free of dogma.
It has always been the mission of Recovering from Religion to help those struggling with doubt, seeking answers, and moving away from religion and a religious lifestyle. In the 14 years we’ve been helping people, what has become abundantly clear is that getting through this transition and asking these questions isn’t enough. There has to be some light at the end of the tunnel. There has to be joy, community, and fulfillment for people on the other side of doubt and uncertainty.
The Recovering from Religion Fall Excursion is for people looking to find their way into that happiness.
The Fall Excursion 2024 is set on a private 73 acre camp in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Charlottesville, Virginia where attendees can find guidance, friendship, and experience personal growth in a warm and accepting environment. We have planned events and workshops so that you can have fun, learn, relax, and do as little or as much as you like. We will have several trained volunteers as well as mental health specialists on-site to make sure that everyone’s experience is just right for them.
The Venue
Camp Holiday Trails
This year’s Fall Excursion will be held at Camp Holiday Trails, our largest venue yet! We will have 73 acres of wooded trails, waterfront, and open fields all to ourselves. In addition to the cabins are a large barn pavilion and a modern dining hall and meeting room. There are also several large gathering areas with firepits and game courts. We are proud to partner with this venue, a fellow secular nonprofit. All buildings are ADA-accessible. Wi-Fi is not available on-site, however most major cell carriers appear to have service at the venue, though your mileage may vary.
The Program
Friday, September 27th
12:00PM - 3PM: Arrival: Our volunteers will help you get settled in your cabins, distribute name badges, and answer questions.
3:00PM: Tasting Reception: All guests are encouraged to enjoy an offering of small bites, seasonal fare, wine, beer, cider (alcoholic and non), soft drinks, tea, coffee, and hot cocoa. Guests will have an opportunity to meet each other and hear a few words from us about the rest of the weekend.
4:00PM: Opening Remarks
4:30PM: Religious Trauma and Your Brain - Dr. Darrel Ray
5:30PM: Game Night: Religious Madlibs - Dr. Kara Griffin
6:30PM - 8:00PM: Dinner: Enjoy an old-fashioned cookout by the campfire!
8:00PM: A Musical Evening with Shelley Segal
9:30PM: Karaoke Party!
Saturday, September 28th
7:30AM - 9:00AM: Breakfast
9:00AM: Support Group - RfR SG Leaders
10:30AM: Secular Grief - Candace Gorham
11:30AM: Identifying Values Workshop - Dr. Travis Mckie-Voerste
12:30PM - 1:30PM: Lunch
1:30PM: (Choose Your Activity)
Support Group - RfR SG Leaders
Guided Nature Walk - Dr. Darrel Ray
3:00PM: Mental Health Benefits of Movement, Nature and Community - David Teachout
4:00PM: RfR Australia Update and RfR Documentary Trailer - Sherrie and Kara
4:30PM: GROUP PHOTO
Immediately Following the Photo: Rediscovering your Body Through Dance - Rachel Hunt
5:30PM: Game Night: Religious Madlibs - Dr. Kara Griffin and Dr. Ben
6:30PM - 8:00PM: Dinner
8:00PM: (Choose Your Activity)
RfR After Dark Reclaiming Sexuality and Sex-Ed Q&A- Dr. Darrel Ray, Glenda Jordan, David Klinge
Support Group: Music and Deconstruction Workshop - Anthony
9:30PM: (Choose Your Activity)
Ritual without Religion - Glenda Jordan & Helen Greene
Karaoke Party!
Sunday, September 29th
7:30AM - 9:00AM: Breakfast
9:00AM: Meditation and Mindfulness - Candace Gorham
9:30AM: The Doctor is In! - Dr. Ben
10:30AM: Brunch and Book Club: Spilling the Tea - Dr. Darrel Ray (Sex and God)
12:00PM: Song Writing Workshop - Shelley Segal
1:30PM: Secular Relaunch and Closing Remarks - Gayle Jordan
2:30PM: Checkout
Click here to learn more about the Fall Excursion 2024 speakers.
Lodging
Each cabin consists of two separate bunkrooms and two bathrooms with showers. All of the beds are twins, and the bunks are sturdy wood with mattresses. All cabins have running hot and cold water, climate control, amd power outlets. There are five cabins with eight beds (4 bunks) on each side. There is one larger cabin with 14 beds (7 bunks) on each side and a communal sitting area between them that may be used as a small meeting room or game area. None of the bunks include bedding. You may bring your own pillow, sleeping bag, blankets, or linens, or we can provide them for a small fee. Some cabins will be available to people of any gender, and some will be available to only particular genders. You will also be able to choose a top or bottom bunk. All bunks are twin sized.
For those who wish to stay offsite, there are several options at varying price points within a 15-minute drive of the camp including hotels, cabins, AirBnBs, RV sites, and tent camping. Links to these are in the FAQ.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO PURCHASE YOUR EVENT REGISTRATION IN ADDITION TO YOUR LODGING.
Book your bunk!
Choose top, bottom, or any if you don’t have a preference.
Choose mixed gender if you prefer rooming with people of all genders or want to room with a friend or partner who is not your gender. Choose women and nonbinary if you are a woman or nonbinary person who only wants to room with other women or nonbinary people. Choose men if you are a man and want to room only with other men. Choose any if you have no roommate gender preference.
You will have an opportunity in the next form to let us know the names of anyone with whom you wish to share a room.
All bedding includes one pillow, pillow case, fitted sheet, flat sheet, and blanket for a single bunk.
Fall Excursion Event Registration
The Recovering from Religion Fall Excursion is an event for adults on their own, partners, and families. We have registration options for adults and children based on age. Although children three years of age and younger are free, we ask that you register them so that we can plan for your family’s comfort. All meals are included in the event registration and you will be able to inform us of any special dietary requirements in the registration form.
Our event schedule is subject to change and we may have to modify some activities due to weather or ask you to commit to certain activities in advance so that we can make sure it is properly staffed. In registering for the Fall Excursion, you also authorize us to send you periodic emails with updates and short polls as may be necessary for us to keep you informed and plan ahead.
COVID and FLU considerations:
We highly suggest that all eligible attendees receive flu and covid vaccinations before attending. We will not require vaccinations, but anyone showing clear signs of illness (severe cough, vomiting, etc) or having a fever will have to wear a mask and limit contact with others or leave the event for the safety of all attendees.
If anyone becomes ill before the event and has to cancel, we will issue a full refund. If you are experiencing fever or flu-like symptoms, we ask that you stay home and let us know so that we can send you a refund.
We reserve the right to make changes to our COVID policy as needed by changes in the status of the pandemic.
Registration pricing for the Recovering from Religion Fall Excursion includes all meals, snacks, swag, and event activities.
Kids three and under are FREE. Registration for all children includes meals and some snacks. Guardians must remain onsite; children who are unmanageable or inconsolable (given a reasonable amount of time to settle) will be required to stay under the direct supervision of their accompanying guardian until they settle or are reasonably manageable.
Registration for all children includes meals and some snacks. Guardians must remain onsite; children who are unmanageable or inconsolable (given a reasonable amount of time to settle) will be required to stay under the direct supervision of their accompanying guardian until they settle or are reasonably manageable.
Registration for all children includes meals and some snacks. Guardians must remain onsite; children who are unmanageable or inconsolable (given a reasonable amount of time to settle) will be required to stay under the direct supervision of their accompanying guardian until they settle or are reasonably manageable.
We will be accepting applications for subsidized registration and lodging so that the Recovering from Religion Fall Excursion is more accessible to even more people. Your donation will help us to better provide a greater sense of well-being and support to people who are recovering from harmful religious experiences and overcoming doubt.
If you are having any issues with the checkout process, we are happy to help you via email. Please contact us.
Financial Help is Available
We offer subsidized registration, but our subsidies are limited. Apply for subsidized registration here. Availability is first-come, first-served.
Would you like to carpool?
We can not guarantee that a carpool will be available for you, but we will do our best to connect you with another Fall Excursion attendee who has agreed to a carpool arrangement. Click here for our carpool form.
Do you need a ride from the airport?
Our volunteers can pick you up and drop you back off from the airport. Please fill out a shuttle request form so that we can add you to the schedule. We can’t guarantee a shuttle with less than 72 hours notice. Click here to be added to our shuttle schedule.
Do you have more questions?
Fall Excursion Event Policies
Sponsorship Opportunities
The Recovering from Religion Fall Excursion aims to help people in doubt and in religious transition to find a path forward that gives them a sense of hope, peace, and purpose. Our sponsors would be an important part of that journey not only in helping to provide financial support for this event, but in being included as resources, solutions, and supportive members of our attendees’ potential community.
Reviews from our attendees
“This is late but heartfelt. I’m so glad I attended the Fall Excursion. It was evident that much heart, planning, and hard work went in to this endeavor. It seemed to have just the right balance of workshops, time to socialize and connect, fun activities, and great food. I loved the short hike. Thank you to everyone that volunteered and worked so hard to create a safe space for us. I was touched many times by the struggles and courage of my fellow attendees. Susan”
“This weekend was filled with laughter, insight, joy, compassion, and yes, some tears. It was wonderful to find more friends to consider family. Thank you for providing a space for all to feel safe!”
“I have never been around a more welcoming, encouraging group of people. What a delightful weekend.”