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Produced by Easton Mountain

Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp

November 15–21, 2026
Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp

More Than Your Average Bear Event!

Bear culture has always been about acceptance. Every body type, every background, every version of what it means to be a gay man. Bear runs and events built that community and they matter. But a lot of us leave those weekends wanting something more than a party. We want conversation, deep connection, and caring friendships. A space where the fun doesn\'t have to stay on the surface.

That's what Bear Your Soul is. Four days of workshops, laughter, play, and the kind of honesty that becomes possible when a group of men decide to actually show up and celebrate what they love about their bear identity. You\'ll move your body, share your story, and spend time with men who are done pretending they have it all figured out.

Come connect, play, and find out what happens when gay men of every shape, size, and background stop performing and start being real with each other.

Register for Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp →
Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp

Event Highlights

Food, lodging, and all activities and workshops are included!

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Our signature Loving Our Bear Bodies workshop — a journey to discover the beauty within the bear body in a welcoming community

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The Bear-Mazing Race — where teams use the campus in a fun scavenger hunt with fun and hilarious challenges

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Daily Small Group check-ins — to help support your journey. These are often people's favorite part of the experience!

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Bear Games: 3-Some — a live game show night with 3 hilarious and interactive games!

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Bonfire Naming Ceremony — a Bear Your Soul tradition with drums and celebration where you have the option to choose a nickname that is meaningful to you!

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Outdoor Festival — live music, games, refreshments and our famous slippy slide!

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More workshops — more amazing offerings from communication to massage exchanges, music and more from our presenters!

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Oh and also — sauna, hot tub, hiking trails, great food and beautiful surroundings!

Register for Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp →

"This is what I have wanted to see in the Bear Community for a long time! Thank you for doing this."

Freddy, Bear Your Soul attendee

Rates & Accommodations

From $660.00 per person, all inclusive.

All rates include everything you need for a transformative retreat:

✓Tuition for all workshops, circles, and activities
✓Housing in your selected accommodations
✓Three delicious meals a day, plus snacks and 24/7 tea & coffee
✓Access to all amenities — sauna, pond, hiking trails, temple & more
✓Evening events, celebrations, and rituals
✓A supportive, welcoming space to be your full self

We offer a wide range of housing options — from tent camping, glamping tents, and cabins to bunkhouse and guest house rooms. For more info on our housing types, click here.

+ Newbie $660.00

This rate is for first-time visitors to Easton Mountain. It includes meals, the full program, and the best housing option we are able to offer you during the week of the program. Housing with the NEWBIE rate is not guaranteed in any specific room type and may not include an attached bathroom.

+ Commuter $660.00

Attend programming and enjoy meals during the day while staying off campus in your own home or in nearby lodging. DOES NOT INCLUDE HOUSING.

+ Garden Cabin Bunkhouse $695.00

A shared bunk room nestled in the woods. Wake up surrounded by trees with the sounds of the forest right outside your window.

+ Guesthouse Quad Room $895.00

Two sets of twin-size bunk beds. Guests may have up to three roommates assigned. The most immersive community experience — connection starts in the room.

+ Guest House Valley Suite: Double Side (Room 20) $1,045.00

Located in room 20, this ~220 sq. ft. room is the double half of the Valley Suite. This half sleeps two people, with two full beds (booked by the bed) and its own entrance to the outside. The bathroom in this room is shared with room 19. Guests staying in this room will have a roommate assigned to them.

+ Guesthouse Double Room $1,095.00

Two full-size beds. One roommate will be assigned. A comfortable balance between privacy and community, with its own bathroom.

+ Guest House Valley Suite: Single Side (Room 19) $1,195.00

The most spacious and comfortable accommodation in the Guest House. A private suite with a sitting area and views of the valley — extra room to breathe and settle in.

+ Garden Cabin Single Room $1,195.00

A private room in the Garden Cabin with the wraparound deck and forest right outside. Peaceful and removed — the woodland version of a single room.

+ Gingerbread Cabin $1,195.00

The entire cabin is yours. Full-size bed with room for a second guest at the Commuter rate — just note it in your reservation and we\'ll arrange it. Quiet, private, and unlike anywhere else on the property.

+ Guesthouse Single Room $1,395.00

A private room for one. Your own space to decompress and recharge between days — a full-size bed, private bathroom, and all the quiet you need.

Cost shouldn't be what keeps you away.

Scholarships are available for retreats produced directly by Easton Mountain. If money is the only thing standing between you and a week on the mountain, reach out — we want you here.

Learn about scholarships →

Full Schedule

+ Wednesday, September 2
6:30 pm–7:30 pm
Alumni Dinner
Great Room
7:00 pm–8:30 pm
Testtest
Deck — with Judah Leblang

descriotuion, ,

7:30 pm–9:00 pm
Heart Circle
Great Room

ALUMNI DAY

9:00 pm–12:00 am
Jackbox Games
Great Room

ALUMNI DAY

+ Thursday, September 3
8:30 am–9:30 am
Alumni Breakfast
Great Room

ALUMNI ONLY

5:00 pm–6:00 pm
Welcome Reception
Deck

Meet your fellow attendees before dinner with non-alcoholic beverages, cheese and crackers, and some fun icebreakers, including Social Bingo. You can also submit forms for Bear Games.

6:00 pm–7:00 pm
Dinner with Our Houses
Great Room
7:30 pm–9:00 pm
Opening Circle
Great Room

Gather to hear about all the exciting things we have planned and set our intentions for the retreat!

9:30 pm–10:30 am
Cuddle Pile
Temple — with Jay Freeman

A warm and fuzzy clothing-on, non-erotic guided group snuggle and relaxation experience. This is a great way to ease into the retreat with some connection and warmth!

+ Friday, September 4
7:30 am–8:30 am
Morning Yoga
Great Room — with Tim Cooley

Join Tim for a yoga practice emphasizing listening to your body. Fine for beginners or more advanced Yogis & Boo Boos.

7:30 am–8:30 am
12-Step Meeting
Hunter Reynolds Room

All traditions welcome.

8:30 am–9:30 am
Breakfast
Dining Room
9:30 am–10:30 am
Lodge Groups
Various Locations

Morning Lodge Groups

10:30 am–12:00 pm
From Shame to Shine: Reclaiming Self-Love and Brotherhood
Great Room — with Scotty Rosenberg & Maxwell Rosenberg

We all carry silent messages about our bodies and our worth, messages that keep us isolated and insecure. But shame can’t survive in the light of community! Step into a safe, supportive space where we uncover these shared insecurities, break down the barriers holding us back, and cultivate deep, lasting bonds. Discover the profound relief of being truly seen and accepted, and leave with renewed self-confidence, a lighter heart, and a stronger sense of belonging.

10:30 am–12:00 pm
Improv Playshop
Temple — with Andrew Deitch

Andrew will take you through some fun improv/theater games and some Meisner techniques. This improv playshop will teach you to think on your feet and allow you the freedom to be anything your imagination can come up with. Hilarity will ensue! Because who needs reality nowadays?

12:30 pm–1:30 pm
Lunch
Dining Room
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Loving Our Bear Bodies
Temple — with Freddy Freeman & Jay Freeman

A chance to affirm the beauty of your body and erotic self. Through touch exercises, we will give and receive support and appreciation with our brothers. The workshop involves nudity and erotic touch. This is a core Bear Your Soul workshop. It is not required, but it is recommended that newcomers attend, If you are interested but apprehensive, speak to your group leader or a host.

2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Vision & Voice: Sharing Our Stories, Shaping Our Future
Great Room — with Ace Ricker

Through guided reflection, vision board creation, and meaningful small-group dialogue, this workshop invites participants to reconnect with themselves while building deeper connections with one another. Together, we'll reflect on the experiences that have shaped us, celebrate where we are today, and create a vision for where we hope to grow. As we share our stories in a welcoming and supportive community, we'll strengthen self-trust, foster a greater sense of belonging, and discover how our individual journeys enrich the Easton Mountain community. Whether you're seeking clarity, inspiration, or simply a space to reconnect with yourself and others, this workshop offers an opportunity to find your voice, envision your path, and leave with a renewed sense of purpose, authenticity, and community.

4:30 pm–6:30 pm
Introduction to Massage
Great Room — with Tam Miller

Touch is a skill like any other, and refining it can bring new ways to connect. In this workshop, you will be guided through a full-body massage and practice on each other. Tam will demonstrate real massage techniques while you follow along, exploring touch as a way to give comfort and pleasure. Nudity is welcome, allowing for increased connection through vulnerability. This massage will NOT include erotic touch. Sign up required

4:30 pm–6:30 pm
The Trust Within: A Blindfolded Journey into Connection
Temple — with Wayne Leiss

This experiential workshop explores what it means to lead and be led. Participants pair up for a guided, blindfolded trust walk that brings awareness to communication, surrender, and intuition. The exercise fosters a powerful sense of embodied trust, both inwardly and in relationship with others.

6:30 pm–7:30 pm
Dinner
Dining Room
6:30 pm–7:30 pm
Alumni Lunch
Great Room
8:00 pm–10:00 pm
Bear Games: 3-Way
Great Room

Join our interactive game show night! Start thinking about what you might want to share or participate in. We will have forms to fill out for some of the games at the Welcome Reception. The evening will feature: ✔ Dirty Laundry: Submit shocking facts about yourself and the audience will guess who they are about! ✔ Mad Lib Madness: Help create and act out a funny scene based on gay classics! ✔ Hookup Theater: Submit your funny hookup stories. You can remain anonymous. Someone will narrate your story while others act it out!

10:00 pm–12:00 am
Sauna/Bear Den/Board Games
Various Locations

Our wood-fired sauna will be running, and space in the Temple will be open to connect, discover, and play! There is also a closet full of games you can play together in the Sun Room, or you can take a walk through the Labyrinth.

+ Saturday, September 5
7:30 am–8:30 am
Morning Yoga
Great Room — with Tim Cooley

Join Tim for a yoga practice emphasizing listening to your body. Fine for beginners or more advanced Yogis & Boo Boos.

7:30 am–8:30 am
12-Step Meeting
Hunter Reynolds Room

All traditions welcome.

8:30 am–9:30 am
Breakfast
Dining Room
9:30 am–10:15 am
Lodge Groups
Various Locations

Morning Lodge Groups

10:30 am–12:00 pm
Rainbow Scratch Boards
Great Room — with Mister Larrie

Whether you are an experienced artiste or a novice crafter, a simple, inexpensive way to express your creative side is always a good time! With wax crayons, acrylic paint, and a little self-reflection, you will develop a one-of-a-kind work of inspirational scratchboard art that can serve as a reminder of your personal affirmations, goals for the future, and much more.

10:30 am–12:00 pm
The Four Agreements: Rewriting the Stories We Tell Ourselve
Temple — with Andrew Deitch

As GBTQ men, many of us have inherited stories about who we're supposed to be: how our bodies should look, how masculinity should be expressed, what makes us desirable, and where we belong. Even within communities that celebrate bigger bodies, many of us still carry the weight of comparison, shame, perfectionism, or the need for external validation. Using the wisdom of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, this interactive workshop explores how we can challenge those inherited beliefs and replace them with agreements rooted in authenticity, compassion, and self-respect. Through guided discussion, personal reflection, and practical exercises, participants will leave with tools to quiet their inner saboteur, strengthen their relationships, and cultivate a healthier relationship with themselves and their bodies. Note: This is not a therapy session or a lecture; it is a community conversation.

12:30 pm–1:30 pm
Lunch
Dining Room
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Massage à Trois *
Great Room — with Tam Miller & Adam Brown

Join us for an erotic massage experience. We will work in trios, each taking a turn on the table, building individual and communal erotic energy. Nudity and erotic touch are required for this workshop. Space is limited, so sign up!

2:00 pm–4:00 pm
The Journey Home to Yourself
Temple — with Wayne Leiss

What would change if you stopped abandoning yourself? In this interactive workshop, Wayne Leiss shares stories from selling his home, traveling across the world, losing possessions, reclaiming his voice, and learning that freedom does not mean saying yes to everything. Through reflection, movement, and witnessed conversation, participants will explore what they are ready to release, what they want to reclaim, and one courageous step they are willing to take toward a more authentic life.

4:30 pm–6:30 pm
The Threads That Bind: Crafting Our Story
Great Room — with Scotty Rosenberg & Maxwell Rosenberg

Imagine a space where your story matters. Where the shared history of your community isn't just something you hear about, but something you experience. In this engaging workshop, we’ll explore the vibrant tapestry of chosen family and the personal milestones that brought each of us to this retreat. Your story started long before this weekend. With each new voice and shared memory, we add a thread of understanding and strength to the fabric of our community. In this workshop, you'll have the chance to share your own experiences in a way that creates deeper connections and meaning. We’ll map out the path of your life and honor the family you chose. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to connect with other bears in a transformative way. Join us and discover the threads that bind us all.

4:30 pm–6:30 pm
Bollywood Dancing
Temple — with Shaan Prokopton

Shaan will lead you through a high-energy session where you will learn the basics of Bollywood dance, with a focus on Bhangra and Mujra styles. Shaan will select vibrant songs and inspire your self-expression, openness, and creative interpretation. The session will end with an exhilarating dance performance.

6:30 pm–7:30 pm
Dinner
Dining Room
8:00 pm–10:00 pm
Bearz Got Talent
Great Room

It’s time for you to share from your heart with your brothers. You can sing, dance, juggle, read, whatever! Everyone has something to share! Show us what you got! Signup required.

10:00 pm–12:00 am
Sauna/Bear Den/Board Games
Various Locations

Our wood-fired sauna will be running, and space in the Temple will be open to connect, discover, and play! There is also a closet full of games you can play together in the Sun Room, or you can take a walk through the Labyrinth.

+ Sunday, September 6
1:00 pm–2:00 pm
Lunch
Dining Room
+ Monday, September 7
8:30 am–9:30 am
BYS Name Medallions
Great Room — with Miguel Villalobos & Freddy Freeman

Wear your name with pride! In this session, each participant will design a custom commemorative wood-and-resin medallion showcasing his bear name, favorite colors, a mosaic image, or whatever his creative heart is inspired by. We will also explore how creative activity and an appreciation for the arts can be a powerful means to nurture the soul.

8:30 am–9:30 am
Calm Mind/Calm Body Meditation
Temple — with Harry Faddis & John Stasio

Calm Mind/Calm Body Meditation is a gentle, welcoming meditation workshop inspired by Zen practice but open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs. In the peaceful setting of camp, participants will be guided through simple mindful sitting and mindful walking to help quiet the mind, relax the body, and return to the present moment. No experience is necessary, just comfortable clothing, curiosity, and a willingness to slow down. This workshop offers a chance to step away from noise, reconnect with the breath, and feel more at home in the body. Together, we will create a calm, kind space for reflection, grounding, and ease.

9:30 am–10:30 am
Breakfast
Dining Room
11:30 am–1:00 pm
Lodge Groups
Various Locations

Please attend your small group and be on time.

11:30 am–1:00 pm
Bearmazing Race with Adam
Labyrinth

A team-based adventure exploring every corner of the Easton Mountain property — solve puzzles, complete physical and mental tasks, and tackle creative surprises along the way.

+ Tuesday, September 8
9:30 am–10:30 am
Breakfast
Dining Room

Evening Play Party W Facilitator – Sean McLaughlin

Please follow the safety practices and guidelines we learned in the “Setting the… Read more

Additional No facilitator Facilitator

The sauna will be available Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 10 PM. Th… Read more

Register for Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp →

Meet the Facilitators

Adam Brown
Adam Brown

Adam works in New York City as an Acupuncturist, Bodyworker and Teacher. He facilitates workshops and retreats for men. He has taught at Easton Mountain for many years since it's…

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Tim Cooley
Tim Cooley

Tim Cooley thought early in his life he might become a priest. Five years of Carmelite seminary convinced him otherwise. Becoming a member of an ensemble theatre company was another…

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Andrew Deitch
Andrew Deitch

Andrew Deitch is a facilitator and group leader with a background in theater who has been coming to Easton Mountain events for the past couple ..… He is also a…

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Harry Faddis
Harry Faddis

Harry Faddis, D.D., CPCC, has been a member of the Easton Mountain Community since its founding in 2000 and he has served several terms on the Board of Directors, as…

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Freddy Freeman
Freddy Freeman

Freddy, a.k.a. Goldenheart, first came to Easton Mountain to facilitate Easton's first Bear weekend in Jan of 2012 and has been a full time resident, along with his husband Jay…

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Jay Freeman
Jay Freeman

Jay is a graphic designer, musician, dancer, introvert, nature-lover, and anosmic. After living his whole life in the American South, he moved in mid-2012 to New York State with his…

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Jay Freeman
Jay Freeman

Jay is a graphic designer, musician, dancer, introvert, nature-lover, and anosmic. After living his whole life in the American South, he moved in mid-2012 to New York State with his…

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Mister Larrie
Mister Larrie

Larrie King, BFA, MA, MFA, (aka Mister Larrie) is a designer, fine artist, crafts enthusiast, and content creator based in Orlando, Florida. Larrie’s professional background has focused on visual communication,…

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Judah Leblang
Judah Leblang

Judah is a writer, teacher and storyteller in Boston. His radio essays and commentaries have been broadcast on 200 NPR and ABC network stations around the US. His column, “Life…

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Wayne Leiss
Wayne Leiss

Wayne Leiss is a holistic life coach, international speaker, and passionate advocate for men’s personal growth and fulfillment. Wayne’s journey of constant reinvention has given him deep insight into the…

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Tam Miller
Tam Miller

Tam Miller Tam is a Boston-based licensed massage therapist, software engineer, gaymer, and bear. His journey to become a massage therapist started at Easton Mountain, and he strives to inspire…

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🐻
Shaan Prokopton
Ace Ricker
Ace Ricker

Ace Ricker (he/him) is a multiracial trans man and the newly appointed Director of Volunteer & Community Development at Easton Mountain. With over twenty years of experience as an educator…

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Maxwell Rosenberg
Maxwell Rosenberg

Maxwell Rosenberg, LCSW is a New York City based psychotherapist for the past 13 years working in clinics across Queens, The Bronx, and Brooklyn. Working with diverse populations over the…

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Scotty Rosenberg
Scotty Rosenberg

Scotty Rosenberg, LCSW-R, is a New York City based psychotherapist specializing in gay men’s wellness. He uses a strengths-based perspective as the foundation for his work - a view that…

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John Stasio
John Stasio

John's vision for social justice, interfaith spirituality and the potential of a spiritual community of gay men began at a young age and motivated him to begin Easton Mountain. In…

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Miguel Villalobos
Miguel Villalobos

Miguel Villalobos first came to Easton Mountain for Expressing Your Inner Self with John Ollom in 2010; and an attachment began that has only grown over time. Born in Costa…

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Hosts

Tim Cooley
Tim Cooley

Tim Cooley thought early in his life he might become a priest. Five years of Carmelite seminary convinced him otherwise.…

Read more →
Andrew Deitch
Andrew Deitch

Andrew Deitch is a facilitator and group leader with a background in theater who has been coming to Easton Mountain…

Read more →
Angela Devito
Angela Devito

I came to Easton in 2022, at a time in my life when I was looking for a change. The…

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Freddy Freeman
Freddy Freeman

Freddy, a.k.a. Goldenheart, first came to Easton Mountain to facilitate Easton's first Bear weekend in Jan of 2012 and has…

Read more →
Ace Ricker
Ace Ricker

Ace Ricker (he/him) is a multiracial trans man and the newly appointed Director of Volunteer & Community Development at Easton…

Read more →

FAQs

What if I don't really consider myself a 'bear', can I still come to the event?

Yes! Events are open to all men no matter how you identify. While the event is focused around the bear type of gay men, all are welcome — cub, otter, bear admirer, twink, or no category at all. You will be welcomed no matter who you are.

What should I bring with me when I visit Easton Mountain?

Easton Mountain provides bedding, pillows, sheets, and towels. You will need to bring personal toiletries (including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.), shower shoes (if desired), a flashlight or lantern for late-night walking, and comfortable shoes to walk around in. While we do have a limited supply of sunscreen, bug repellant, ear plugs, and rain gear, you may want to bring your own.

What should I NOT bring with me when I visit Easton Mountain?

Do not bring illegal drugs, weapons, firearms, or pets with you to Easton Mountain.

What type of clothing should I bring to Easton Mountain?

The weather can vary quite a great deal each day here. Spring: bring a light jacket or sweater, as it can get chilly but also quite warm. Summer: hot days but chilly nights, so a light jacket or sweatshirt is good to have. Fall: cool but variable temperatures, so be prepared to layer. Winter: bundle up with a good pair of boots, gloves, hats, and scarves — it can get quite cold and snowy.

What about toys, or other adult oriented items?

Our events de-emphasize alcohol and other legal substances. Some events may feature a reception or deck party where limited alcohol is available. While we do not require abstinence, we are interested in supporting conscious connections and wellness in the lives of those we serve. We provide space for 12-step meetings for those who would like to attend them. Illegal substances will not be tolerated.

Ready to join us on the mountain?

Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp fills up each year. If it's calling you, don't wait.

Register for Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp →