Was so good to see everyone in January 2022.  The Committee is working on next years retreat scheduled for January 27-29, 2023.  Please email info@winterawakening.org if you have any questions.

Winter Awakening is an annual retreat where LGBTQIA+ and our allies in recovery can come together to examine and explore their recovery and spirituality in an atmosphere of mutual support. Workshops, activities, and fellowship are based on the Eleventh Step of traditional 12-Step Programs like AA or NA (although Winter Awakening is not held under the auspices of either).    

The theme of the "The ties that bind us" comes from the opening of the 12 Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous:

"We keep what we have only with vigilance, and just as freedom for the individual comes from the Twelve Steps, so freedom for the group springs from our traditions.  As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those that would tear us apart, all will be well."

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COVID PROTOCOLS FOR WINTER AWAKENING 2022 Our retreat takes place in Macon County, North Carolina (Highlands), and we will monitor state and local pandemic advisories, operating in good faith. The following will be provided:

• face masks

• hand sanitizer

• stickers for voluntary self-identification of vaccinated persons

It will not be incumbent on the staff of The Mountain or the retreat's service personnel to enforce any due diligence, the responsibility for which falls to individuals in attendance.

Recovery is a selfish proposition -- public health is not, and in registering for Winter Awakening 2022, understand that participants are expected to behave respectfully and with necessary caution in their interactions, placing group well-being above our druthers. We will not be verifying individual vaccination statuses.

Additional safeguards that may be implemented include:

• taking temperatures

• staggering meal service by table, rather than an open-style line

• safe distance of seating arrangements in classes

We are grateful that we may gather at all, and appreciate everyone's help in keeping Winter Awakening 2022 from becoming any sort of "super-spreader" event. Questions and concerns are welcome: info@winterawakening.org

Registration is now closed. Please email us at info@winterawakening.org if you have any questions.         

We have Scholarships available to cover the cost of the retreat.  If you would like to attend and cannot afford the retreat, you can apply for a Scholarship.  They are awarded on a first come, first serve basis.  In return for your Scholarship, we request that you participate in service work at the retreat.  All applications are reviewed by the Winter Awakening Committee.  They are available through individual contributions and funding we get from Twirl to the World.

All Scholarships for 2022 have been awarded at this time.