Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp
With Freddy Freeman, Tom Workman (Laughing Spirit), Nirmal Chandraratna, David Dunn Bauer and Henry Schoenfield
August 29 - September 2, 2019
We all want to feel accepted for who we are, regardless of our shape, color or size. We long to feel a sense of belonging to a tribe, and a lot of guys have turned to the Bear community, going to weekend events called Bear Runs. Bear Runs are a lot of fun. We get to explore our sexuality and be social and enjoy food, drink & entertainment. However, many men are also still struggling with issues of body image and identity, and are craving deeper connections with each other on all levels, from physical, to emotional, mental and spiritual. We have created an experience that speaks to ALL aspects of who we are; one that includes the usual pleasures of Bear events, but expands upon them.
Bear Your Soul: Summer Camp brings together men of all shapes, colors, sizes, and abilities, in order to build and foster a stronger bear community. Our small, intimate events bring together workshops, playful fun, discussions, and revelry to create an experience that’ll send you home more connected to your brothers, more in touch with yourself, and more confident in your body. We hope to help guys of all body types feel more comfortable in their own skin. When we are authentic and vulnerable we are open to even more satisfying lives. In short, we hope to foster a sense of radical acceptance, letting go of shame, and becoming comfortable with our full and true selves. Bear Your Soul offers workshops and discussions that allow men of all shapes and sizes to connect more deeply with themselves and one another. Our unique Loving Our Bear Bodies workshop, for example, leads participants through a shared yet personal journey of discovering the beauty within the bear body, all within the healing embrace of your fellow brothers.
We are still finalizing the schedule, but here is a sample of the kinds of workshops and activities we have had in the past.
Intro to Belly Dance – Meaningful Erotic Interaction – Connecting Mind, Body and Spirit – Bearodies! Sketch Comedy Workshop – The Heroes Journey – Loving Our Bear Bodies – Community Discussion – “I Feel Sexy” Dance Party – Bonfire Naming Ritual – The Art of Bearlesque – The Story of My Life – Creating a Roman Holiday Fantasy – Cuddle Party & Bear Den – Bear Carnival – Morning Yoga and Meditation – Talent Show – Pool, Hot Tub, Mud Pit & Sauna – Hiking Trails
About the Facilitators
Freddy Freeman
Freddy Freeman, AKA Goldenheart, is an award winning Singer-Songwriter, music producer, festival organizer and workshop facilitator. After over a decade of going to Bear events, he wanted one that fostered deeper interactions and real community, so he created Bear Your Soul at Easton Mountain. He is also the facilitator of Bear Your Soul's core workshop Loving […]
Learn more about Freddy FreemanTom Workman (Laughing Spirit)
Tom Workman aka Laughing Spirit has been on the host committee for 5 years. He has a passion for helping gay men find their spiritual awakening and divine higher self. He is a certified Reiki practitioner, crystal energy healer, card reader, channel, and spiritual teacher. He runs several local MeetUps to help men find their […]
Learn more about Tom Workman (Laughing Spirit)Nirmal Chandraratna
Nirmal Chandraratna is a New York City-based Kirtan artist and composer with a passion for nurturing connection– to spirit, to community, and to one's deeper self– through music. Using the voice, the harmonium and the cello, he creates music for Kirtan and meditation and works for communal performance. He received a BA in Music from Brown […]
Learn more about Nirmal ChandraratnaDavid Dunn Bauer
Rabbi David Dunn Bauer is a unique pastoral counselor, ritual leader, community leader, scholar, artist, sacred intimate, and writer. His numerous writings on God, Queerness, and sexuality are published in anthologies and on-line. For two years he served as the Bay Area Director of Programming for Nehirim, the leading national provider of community programming for gay, lesbian, […]
Learn more about David Dunn BauerHenry Schoenfield
Henry Schoenfield is a lifelong spiritual seeker and leader. As an ordained minister, certified life coach, spiritual director, and meditation teacher, he is committed to helping people to discover freedom in their lives and work by helping them to connect to inner wisdom and guidance.
Learn more about Henry SchoenfieldCategories : Bear Your Soul Events, EM Camp Style Events