- The mission of The Dragon Oak OBOD Retreat is to engender three things:
2. provide a safe, nurturing environment for OBOD members and friends to connect to each other, to the land, and to their own personal spirituality;
3. provide a venue where OBOD members and friends can share beliefs, experiences, and lore that unite them in the deep wisdom learned in the practice of druidry.
2023 DOOR is closed in the apparent world but will live on in our minds and hearts.
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2024
WHEN: Thursday September 19-Sunday September 22, 2024
WHERE: Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor PA
THEME: In the Footsteps of the Ancestors
Registration tentatively will open April 6, 2024
After submitting your registration, click the "Donate" button on the Payment/Donations page to submit your payment via PayPal. OR send a payment via PayPal to dragonoak@druidry.org. If you need to send a check instead, please email us for the address to which to mail it. We will be in touch with you as time grows nearer to the event.
Registration will be limited to 45 onsite spaces with offsite registration of 30
maximum including day passes. Please indicate your choice on the registration form. When the onsite spaces are filled, we will open registration strictly for offsite spaces. There will also be a waiting list registration, no deposit required for the waiting list.
Parking space is limited so please carpool if you can.
Tents and Campers are not allowed onsite.
Location: Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor PA
Dragon Oak OBOD Retreat (DOOR) is a private event for members of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and their families and friends. If you are not an OBOD member but have a friend or relative who is and will attend with you (sponsor you) for this gathering, please provide their name and contact information when you register. All membership and grades are verified with the OBOD office prior to the event. Please plan accordingly for initiation as we will need to verify your current grade status on August 19, 2023.
Activities-Rituals, Workshops, Initiations, Eisteddfod and the famous Silent Auction!
Initiations - Group initiations are available to any OBOD member who has not already had a group initiation in his or her current grade. If you would like to be initiated at the Gathering, please indicate this on your registration form, or request by separate e-mail. (In our 'group initiations" each candidate is initiated individually by a group of fellow OBOD members.)
Vendors - there is no official vendors' area but space will be available for those who wish to offer items for sale.
Volunteering - we ask that participants volunteer with camp duties such as clean-up and fire-tending. Sign-up sheets will be posted.
Mead- the mead is being purchased this year, so any additional donation to defray the cost is appreciated.
COST (includes the seasonal ritual at Columcille Megalith Park )
ONSITE 3 DAYS WITH FOOD: $350.00
ONSITE 2 DAYS WITH FOOD: $240.00
OFFSITE 3 DAYS WITH FOOD: $135.00
OFFSITE DAY PASS WITH FOOD: $50.00 per day (ie: less than 3 days-please advise which days you will attend at registration)
For onsite Registration: A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 is required at registration.
For 3 day offsite Registration: A non-refundable deposit of $25.00 is required at registration
Full payment will be required by September 1, 2024.
FACILITIES/MEALS
Facilities - Kirkridge Retreat Center, Bangor PA
Offsite Lodging
Lodging is also available near Kirkridge for those preferring to lodge offsite or if all available spaces are filled. A Search provides the following suggested nearby Campsites and Hotels/Motels. Please note this is not a comprehensive list. The links are for convenience and not an endorsement of any facility.
Meals
As always, we will have Vegetarian and Gluten Free options for meals. (These meal options can now be requested on the Registration Form.) If you have any dietary restrictions, please advise us so we may take them into account when planning meals.
Registration generally includes meals but those preferring to prepare their own food will have access to kitchen facilities.
For more information contact Lorraine at dragonoak@druidry.org
photo by Ana Kean