Category: Spring Retreat

GSV 2025 Spring Retreat Post 2

Gay Spirit Visions, Spring Retreat

2025 Spring Retreat

Convergence: The Journey of Love, Sex, and Intimacy

May 9 – 11, 2025


The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, NC


3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Bunk House (shared room up to 4 people): $210 + 6.75% tax


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy): $250 + 6.75% tax


Single Occupancy (private room): $390 + 6.75% tax


For All Rooms Add Required GSV Program Fee: $35.00


For optional extra night before (Thursday) and/or after (Sunday) see “Add On” options when registering. No meals are provided.


Register Now!

Dear Siblings,

Please join me for Gay Spirit Visions’ Spring Retreat gathering, Convergence: The Journey of Love, Sex, and Intimacy, on May 9-11, 2025, at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center.

As we move through life, our bodies, hearts, and desires shift, calling us to rediscover the paths to connection, intimacy, and love. The places we seek, the destinations we long for—these evolve, sometimes subtly, sometimes in unexpected ways. In this ever-changing landscape, our mental, spiritual, and physical needs intertwine, offering us a profound opportunity to reflect, grow, and deepen our understanding of ourselves.

This exploration invites us to see the journey of love, sex, and intimacy through fresh perspectives. We will consider how age, abilities, and opportunities shape our experiences, while also embracing alternative ways of expressing connection and desire. Through open discussion and reflection, we will expand our understanding of intimacy in its many forms, honoring the diversity of our paths, and the depth of our personal evolution.

We invite you to a gathering designed for men who love men—a space to explore the intersections of intimacy, love, and sexuality with openness and curiosity. Together, we will reflect on the ways our desires shape us and how they evolve as we journey through life. What does cultivating a healthy, loving relationship with our bodies mean? How do we honor the longings that live within us?

At the heart of this gathering lies the dance between pleasure and spirituality—the pull to embrace the beauty of the present and the call toward something more profound, timeless, and transcendent. Somewhere in that sacred space, love has room to expand, stretching beyond time limits, and growing with us.

Through guided discussions, personal reflection, and shared experiences, we will create a space to honor every part of ourselves—our vulnerability, our strength, and our longing for deep, meaningful connection. This retreat is an invitation to listen, to reach out, and to embrace the beauty of every stage of life.

Join us as we step into the mystery of these intersections, where we may find what we need most: a love that honors the fullness of who we are, in all our depth, tenderness, and resilience.

Call for Workshops—Let’s Create Something Special Together!

If you’re interested in leading a workshop, discussion group, or activity for the Spring Retreat, I’d love to hear from you! With this year’s theme, Convergence: The Journey of Love, Sex, and Intimacy, there’s so much we can explore together.

These are just starting points—I’m open to anything that complements the theme. The goal is to keep these sessions interactive and participatory rather than lecture-style. Let’s create space for real conversations and meaningful moments.

I can’t promise to accept every submission, but I’ll do my best to include a variety of perspectives. If you’re interested, email me your idea at [email protected], and let’s chat!

I look forward to seeing what we can create together.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is April 30, 2025, 5 p.m. ET. Our hope is that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is April 30, 2025, 5 p.m. ET.

Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

I am so looking forward to seeing you at The Mountain for our Spring Retreat.

Come as you are. Leave with a fuller heart.

Wade Lee Jones
GSV 2025 Spring Retreat Convener

Register Now!

GSV 2025 Spring Retreat Post 1

Spring Retreat

2025 Spring Retreat

Convergence: The Journey of Love, Sex, and Intimacy

May 9 – 11, 2025


The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, NC


3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Bunk House (shared room up to 4 people): $210 + 6.75% tax


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy): $250 + 6.75% tax


Single Occupancy (private room): $390 + 6.75% tax


For All Rooms Add Required GSV Program Fee: $35.00


For optional extra night before (Thursday) and/or after (Sunday) see “Add On” options when registering. No meals are provided.


Register Now!

Dear Siblings,

Please join me for Gay Spirit Visions’ Spring Retreat gathering, Convergence: The Journey of Love, Sex, and Intimacy, on May 9 – 11, 2025, at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center.

As we age and our bodies shift, the maps that once guided us to friends and love need redrawing. The paths we take, the places we seek, and the destinations we desire all evolve, sometimes subtly, sometimes in surprising ways. Our mental, spiritual, and physical needs intertwine, forming delicate connections that invite us to question, search, and grow.

For men who love men, these intersections of intimacy, love, and sexuality offer a profound space for exploration. How do these layers of our identity and desire shape us, and how do they reshape themselves as we move through life? What does it mean to have a healthy relationship with our bodies and the needs that pulse within us?

In this dance between pleasure and spirituality, we are called to navigate our desires with honesty. Hedonism tempts us to savor the beauty of now, while spirituality whispers of something more profound, timeless, and transcendent. In that tender, transformative space, somewhere between these lies the magic that lets love expand, bending across time, and grow within us.

In exploring these mysteries, we may find a way to honor every part of who we are–our vulnerability, strength, and our longing for connection. The journey invites us to listen closely, to reach out, and to embrace the beauty in every phase of our lives.

Perhaps it is here, in the mystery of these intersections, that we find what we need most: a love that honors the fullness of who we are in all our complexity, vulnerability, and strength.

Call for Workshops


Let’s Create Something Special Together!

If you’re interested in leading a workshop, discussion group, or activity for the Spring Retreat, I’d love to hear from you! With this year’s theme, Convergence: The Journey of Love, Sex, and Intimacy, there’s so much we can explore together.

These are just starting points–I’m open to anything that complements the theme. The goal is to keep these sessions interactive and participatory rather than lecture-style. Let’s create space for real conversations and meaningful moments.

I can’t promise to accept every submission, but I’ll do my best to include a variety of perspectives. If you’re interested, email me your idea at [email protected], and let’s chat!

I look forward to seeing what we can create together.

Financial Assistance


Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is April 30, 2025, 5 p.m. ET. Our hope is that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is April 30, 2025, 5 p.m. ET.
Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

I am so looking forward to seeing you at The Mountain for our Spring Retreat.

Wade Lee Jones

Register Now!

GSV 2024 Spring Post 3

Spring Retreat

Spring 2024

On The Precipice

May 10-12, 2024

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, NC

3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Bunk House (shared room up to 4 people): $200.00


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy): $230.00


Single Occupancy (private room): $370.00


For All Rooms add Mandatory GSV program fee: $35.00

Register Now!

Hello Siblings!

We are just a few weeks away from being together for our Gay Spirit Visions 2024 Spring Retreat. I cannot wait to see everyone back “home” at The Mountain! If you have not already registered, please do so very soon. The registration cut-off date for our Spring Retreat is Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Our GSV Winter Meditation gathering reminded us that our life journey has taken us on many paths. Sometimes those paths have been amazing and other times those paths may have taken us to challenging situations. Often those times may find us on a precipice. This can be very scary and feel very lonely. We may not know what to do or how to move forward.

You may have recently faced your own precipice, or maybe you are on a precipice right now. It is indeed a time of tremendous growth and definite change. One reason it may feel so difficult is because we feel we are facing this alone. However, remember this – you are not alone! You have found your tribe, and we can negotiate the precipice together.

This spring let’s discover together how we can find strength, love, and support. These precipice moments are critical and set us up for positive growth. We will talk about what we see as we stand on our precipice, how we can stand together, and what we have learned from those experiences.

My hope is that during our time together you will experience enlightenment, peace, love, and maybe some new ways of processing your own precipices. Allow me to gently remind you that it’s okay to get a little uncomfortable while exploring your precipices with new thoughts and ideas. It is also okay to have a little fun and find humor in those challenges. Both help us move to new levels of awareness and growth. Who better to do that with than your tribe?

We will have workshops that will be exciting and challenging. We will have workshops that will be fun and playful, and we will have workshops that will guide some introspective moments. There will be opportunities to share your story of your own precipices if you choose.

Workshops will be led by some amazing GSV participants!

Mahan-Kalpa Khalsa – “Sacred Touch Massage” and “Sexual Kung Fu”
Roger Custin – “Finding the Light in Grief”
John Marotta – “Game of Self Discovery”
Kyle Keane and Bill Harris – “The Joy of Aging”
Additionally, we will have:

Popup Workshops
Our GSV Sacred Fire in the Fire Ring
Morning Meditation
Labyrinth Walk
Cuddle Time
After Hours Cookie and Tea
I am very excited about what has come together and am putting some finishing touches on the schedule for the weekend. As always, you can connect and participate as much as you want and need. And if you need some alone time, know that we understand and will honor this form of self-care.

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26, 2024. We hope that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26, 2024.

Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

In conclusion, please know that you are not alone, for we have each other and there is great strength in our GSV tribe. I cannot wait to see you in a few weeks.

Sending love and peace to you all,
Darin Topham
GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Convener

Register Now!

GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Post 2

Spring Retreat

Spring 2024

On The Precipice

May 10-12, 2024

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, NC

3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Bunk House (shared room up to 4 people): $200.00


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy): $230.00


Single Occupancy (private room): $370.00


For All Rooms add Mandatory GSV program fee: $35.00

Register Now!

Hello Siblings,

I am getting very excited about the 2024 Gay Spirit Visions Spring Retreat. I am looking forward to seeing you back home at The Mountain. My hope is we will experience a collective connection and become energized and empowered.

The questions we often ask when finding ourselves on a precipice are often:

• I feel like I am only reaching half of my potential. What am I missing?
• Why does it seem to be so difficult for me to understand this challenge?
• Am I afraid that I may fail and/or get hurt again?
• Does my fear of the unknown keep me from taking the leap?

I want us to talk about these questions, and other questions that you may have, so we can face some of our fears and learn from one another.

What you can expect during our time together:

• Workshops that include ways to manage precipice moments and challenges
• Full group and small group discussions
• Pop-up theme groups, workshops, and activities
• Unstructured “free” time for yourself. Self-care is key!
• And more!

If you are interested in leading a workshop, discussion group, or activity that is connected with the Spring Retreat theme, please reach out to me via email, and let’s talk about what you would like to offer. My email address is [email protected].

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26. We hope that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26.

Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

Let’s gather together and listen to one another, share ideas and experiences, and support each other. I hope to see you at The Mountain.

Sending love and light,
Darin Topham
GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Convener

Register Now!

GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Post 1

Spring Retreat

Spring 2024

On The Precipice

May 10-12, 2024

The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, Highlands, NC

3 Day/2 Night Package (Friday through Sunday)


Bunk House (shared room up to 4 people): $200.00


Lodge or Duplex Cabin (double occupancy): $230.00


Single Occupancy (private room): $370.00


For All Rooms add Mandatory GSV program fee: $35.00

Register Now!

Dear Siblings,

This spring we look at that pivotal point where we could be facing great change. What are the possibilities? Do I have to do this alone? What is my potential? What do I deserve? You deserve it all …

Our Winter Meditation gathering reminded us that our life journey has taken us on many paths. Sometimes those paths have been amazing and other times those paths may have taken us to challenging situations. Often those times may find us on a precipice. This can be very scary and feel very lonely. We may not know what to do or how to move forward.

You may have recently faced your own precipice, or maybe you are on a precipice right now. It is indeed a time of tremendous growth and definite change. One reason it may feel so difficult is because we feel we are facing this alone. However, remember this – you are not alone! You have found your tribe, and we can negotiate the precipice together.

This spring let’s discover together how we can find strength, love, and support. These precipice moments are critical and set us up for positive growth. We will talk about what we see as we stand on our precipice, how we can stand together, and what we have learned from those experiences. All of this can be so much easier when we realize we are not alone. WE can do this. If you are interested in providing a workshop that is connected with this theme, please reach out to me via email and let’s talk about what you would like to offer. My email address is [email protected].

Financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, is available. The financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26. Our hope is that anyone who resonates with our mission and community, and who has the desire to attend, can join us at our gatherings. To that end, we offer financial assistance through the Raven Wolfdancer Financial Assistance Fund. Please go to the Financial Assistance page on the Gay Spirit Visions website for more information about financial assistance (scholarships) and for a link to the GSV financial assistance application form. Remember, the financial assistance application submission deadline is April 26.

Please note that GSV currently plans to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines in effect at the time of the gathering.

I am so looking forward to seeing you at The Mountain for our Spring Retreat.

Sincerely,
Darin Topham
GSV 2024 Spring Retreat Convener

Register Now!