Crew of volunteers helping to rebuild the Vagon* in the summer of 2019
The place is quite incredible; everything converges here – the upper Hudson, gentle mountains, a beautiful friendly town just a few miles away, and the wilderness with lakes and streams all around, going far out. It is truly a Place of Convergence.
GAIA is a transformative retreat inside a natural habitat in the heart of Adirondack Mountains [The Adirondack Park is a part of New York’s Forest Preserve in northeastern New York, United States]. Bounded by a pristine horseshoe shaped waterworks maintained by the family of beavers, GAIA is home to old growth and an amazing diversity of animal life who share this space with us; GAIA retreat connects to the wilderness – it is a habitat opening into the nature and the discovery of self.
The goal of this project is the creation of a retreat in the Nature using light-imprint eco-friendly design based on contemporary woodland yurt. It is our goal to make it an Autistic Space; a safe place where all people can stay as guests, learn, teach, give, take, be, communicate, and grow. The retreat welcomes friends, clansmen, and without exception the autistic families and adults free of charge; it is also opened on donation bases as Educational Grounds to ASDE self-learners. The hosts (staff and volunteers) will facilitate the learning environment, and a guided immersion into the nature.
We ask our guests to respect GAIA Constitution, which asks all to adhere to the principle of “leaving no trace” and for unbounded respect to each and all the people, including children, animals, and plants.
We ask our guests to support us by “pay it forward” donations to GAIA, which will help us host yours and other families free of charge.
GAIA bordering Siamese Wilderness
(See pictures of the camp in our update(s) below.
- Size: The camp can accommodate 20 people; the yurt can comfortably house up to 10 people [although we’ve managed a larger group]; the rest of guests stay in tents
- Occupancy: Stay inside the yurt when space is available; and in tent(s) otherwise and for a longer stay.
- What to bring: All guests must bring their own food, and camping essentials.
- Rules: Conservation and respect for the other is a guiding principle. You’ll be instructed in the rules of fire, water, and wildlife.
- Staff: We are planning to have a volunteer staff who will assist in nature immersion, recreation, and learning.
- The stay is free to Autistic people and families with autistic children.
- The stay is free to ASDE self-learners and their accompanying family members and mentors
- The stay is free to our friends and allies
- Discounts to Seniors.
- Tips and donations: tips to staff, and donations to Rhizome program are welcome.
- For information and visits please contact Amik.
Note: The retreat is off the power grid; there is AT&T cell service at the yurt; there is GPS access; for WIFI and different cell service travel to nearby town – there is free WIFI access in town’s library 7 miles away. We are currently looking at the ways to bring WIFI and solar to the site.
*The original attachment to the yurt [made of PVC and tarping] was nicknamed Vagon for its resemblance to covered wagons of pioneers
Project Updates
(latest at the top)