The Inconceivably Connected Retreat
Summer 2026
Retreat DetailsThe first Inconceivably Connected Retreat will be held at Wildsong Gaian Sanctuary in Bethel, NY this August 28th to 31st.
After months of daydreaming about bringing those of us in the donor-conceived community together for a fun-filled weekend of storytelling and mindfulness practices, the time has finally come to make it a reality!
The retreat will run over the course of a 3-day weekend and will offer a chance for individuals to connect with others who know firsthand what it’s like to be donor-conceived. There will be scheduled programming throughout, but more than anything, this weekend is meant to be an opportunity to relax, open up, and be present with one another. Can’t wait to see you all!
Retreat Itinerary
A view from afar of the retreat grounds!
Friday 8/28
4:00pm: Arrival
6:00pm: Dinner + Socializing
Saturday 8/29
7:00am: Morning Yoga
8:00am: Breakfast
9:00-10:30am: Storytelling
7:30pm: Cacao Ceremony + Sharing Circle
1:00pm: Lunch
10:45am: Gentle Hiking
2:00pm: Identity Trauma and the Neuroscience of Self w/ Victoria Hill
4:00pm: Storytelling
6:00pm: Dinner + Socializing
7:30pm: Ambient Listening + Dance Party
Sunday 8/30
7:00am: Breathwork
8:00am: Breakfast
9:00-10:30am: Storytelling
10:45am: Free Time
1:00pm: Lunch
2:00pm: Facilitator Session
4:00pm: Storytelling
6:00pm: Dinner + Socializing
7:30pm: Games!
Monday 8/31
8:00am: Breakfast + Goodbyes
11:00am: Checkout
*Subject to change
Yoga, Meditation & Sound Bath, and Dance
There will be time for inward reflection and movement!
Local + Organic Meals
A private chef will prepare all meals with locally sourced ingredients during our stay.
All individuals will have a chance to share their story amongst the group (and it can be for the podcast if you’d like!)
Group Sharing Circles
Weekend Facilitators
Victoria Hill
Victoria Hill is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that lives in Wethersfield, CT with her husband, daughter and son. She is co-owner of a wellness center in town and works part-time at Hartford Hospital. Victoria’s NPE/DCP discovery happened in January, 2020 and she has spent the last five years connecting with other NPE/DCPs and advocating for more awareness, legislation to address various types of fertility fraud and DCP protections.
Donor Conceived LCSWAnd more to come…
Ana Mexia
Nick Ludwig
Donor Conceived Author + Podcast HostSound Practitioner + CeremonialistAna Mexia is a Mexican-born devotee of the plants, the body, and the sacredness within. She is a folk herbalist, bodyworker, somatic intelligence guide, and ceremonialist. Ana’s purpose is to be a bridge for people to reconnect with the innate intelligence of the body and the energy that animates life within us. Her work weaves together shamanic apprenticeship, years of devoted work with plants, and multiple studies in somatic intelligence, curanderismo, womb work, and space holding. She is also married to Nick and a witness to his late-discovery from the moment it happened.
Host of The Inconceivably Connected Podcast and author of Inconceivably Connected: A True Story of Shocking DNA Results and Chasing the Unknown, Nick is a late-discovery donor-conceived person who’s used storytelling as a means to navigate the most unforeseen shock of his life. He organized this retreat as a way to create a more community-based outlet for other DCP to share their own experiences amongst those who “get it”. Nick will be leading the weekend storytelling sessions as well as the ambient listening + dance party.
Guest Registration
**PLEASE NOTE**
ALL ACCOMMODATIONS PURCHASED FROM THE SECTION BELOW ALREADY INCLUDE ONE (1) GUEST REGISTRATION FEE
Please only purchase this separate guest registration fee if you will be sharing a bed with someone who has already booked their accommodations.
This registration fee (whether purchased here or as part of your accommodation booking below) is non-refundable.
**PLEASE NOTE**
ALL ACCOMMODATIONS PURCHASED BELOW ALREADY INCLUDE ONE (1) GUEST REGISTRATION FEE
Please only purchase this separate guest registration fee if you will be sharing a bed with someone who has already booked their accommodations.
Accommodations
All guest registration fees ($495) are non-refundable. Accommodation fees are non-refundable within 30 days of retreat.
This room has one (1) king-sized bed and includes one (1) registration fee. If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, that person must pay their own individual registration fee.
This bedroom has one (1) queen-sized bed and includes one (1) registration fee. If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, that person must pay their own individual registration fee.
This cabin has two (2) single-sized beds and includes two (2) registration fees. This is separate from the main cabin, can only be purchased for two, and cannot be booked individually. This is a sleeping/lounging space only - bathrooms, kitchen, etc. are all in the main cabin.
This bedroom has two (2) full-sized beds. Each bed costs $995 which includes one (1) $495 registration fee. If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, that person must pay their own individual registration fee.
This bedroom has two (2) full-sized beds. Each bed costs $995 which includes one (1) $495 registration fee. If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, that person must pay their own individual registration fee.
This bedroom has three (3) single-sized beds. Each bed costs $895 which includes one (1) $495 registration fee.
This bedroom has one (1) queen-sized bed and two (2) twin-sized beds. Each bed costs $995 which includes one (1) $495 registration fee. If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, that person must pay their own individual registration fee.
This bedroom has three (3) single-sized beds. Each bed costs $895 which includes one (1) $495 registration fee.
This bedroom has six (6) single-sized bunk beds. Each bed costs $849 which includes one (1) $495 registration fee.
This outdoor tent has two (2) full-sized beds and includes one (1) registration fee per order. If you plan on sharing a bed with someone, that person must purchase their own individual guest registration.
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Check out the Wildsong website here!
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The address is 75 Matt Smith Road, Cochecton, NY 12726. If you use Google Maps, please search for Wildsong Gaian Sanctuary instead of using the address (Google Maps often gets the last mile wrong with the address).
If you are using a map app other than Google maps and have difficulty finding it, the coordinates are 41°40'36.8"N 74°55'47.2"W, and below are descriptive directions:
Coming from New York City, drive down NY-17B W from Monticello towards Bethel. After passing large signs (on your right) for the Bethel Woods Arts Center (site of the original Woodstock festival!), you will turn left onto Browntown Road. The intersection features a thin space needle looking monument on the left corner, and red grain storage on the right. After turning on Browntown road, drive ~2 miles and make a right onto Matt Smith Road, at the top after a big dip.
The driveway is halfway down the road, almost immediately after passing a 2-story white farm house on your left. You should see a gravel driveway flanked by two short sections of log-style fencing. There’s a small sign that reads “The Sanctuary” and a mailbox with “75 Matt Smith”.
The driveway is lined with some fencing and ~15ft tall maple trees. As you go down that driveway (go slow, watch for the curve, there are reflectors in winter), you will see the house.
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No worries at all! This weekend is FOR YOU and that means getting involved as much or as little as you’d like :)
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We will have a hired chef on-site to prepare all meals for the weekend, but you are free to bring your own food if that’s your preference.
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The retreat site is not accessible by public transit, unfortunately. We will do our best to coordinate carpools, but the easiest way to get there without a car is by taking the Metro North train from Penn Station to Port Jervis station, and then taking a 40-minute taxi from there.
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Yes! If you need to leave for any reason, feel free! This is YOUR VACATION!
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This retreat is meant specifically for donor conceived people and those who are intimately connected to donor conceived people (recipient parents, spouses, or donors linked to attending DCP).
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Just submit the question through our contact page or email us directly at inconceivablyconnected@gmail.com!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no upcoming events at this time.