Frequently Asked Questions

We offer many different activities on our retreats and each retreat has outdoor “challenge" adventures, expressive and healing arts activities, quiet periods to rest, as well as opportunities to connect, share and reflect on your breast cancer journey with your peers.

Past retreats have included activities such as snowshoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, high ropes courses, water sports, Nordic walking, yoga, tai chi, qigong, meditation, guided imagery, journaling, painting, quilting, pottery and more.

Check out our Retreats & Registration section, where we have more detailed information about each seasonal retreat that we offer.

The cost of a retreat varies depending on the location/venue. Our outdoor adventure retreats have ranged in cost from $350-400, which includes lodging, activities and meals. Transportation may be provided during the retreat, if applicable, however, participants must arrange their own transportation to and from the retreat venue at the start and the end of the program.

Yes! We understand that a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can cause financial toxicity, so we offer financial support to those who qualify and fill out the required information at registration. Applicants needing financial assistance must live in the New England area to be considered. (Each participant is allowed ONE grant per year.)

The number of women participating in a retreat weekend varies by venue, but for any given retreat, we aim to have 15-25 participants, including staff members and program facilitators.

Once you register for a retreat, you will be sent a packing list, specific to your adventure weekend retreat.

We allow participants to attend as many retreats as they would like, however we are limited to the number of participants we can bring to each retreat due to each facility’s capacity. We make sure to offer spots for our returning participants as well as new adventurers.

Yes. One of the best parts of our retreats is connecting with other breast cancer survivors, and one of the ways we facilitate this is by pairing everyone with a roommate for the weekend. Almost all of our retreat facilities have double occupancy rooms and comfortably fit two participants. Our Medical Officer recommends roommate pairings after reviewing all registration forms, including the medical information section which asks about sleep habits. We do our best to select roommates who have similar sleeping habits/challenges.

We make every effort to make sure all of our participants are comfortable and safe at all times. We have our Medical Officer review all health histories and will follow up if there are any concerns or questions. In some cases, we may ask for a participant to get medical clearance from their doctor in order to ensure their safety at our retreat. In other cases, our participants may have mobility issues which would require them to have certain room accommodations or accessibility access, and we work with the facility to ensure that they are comfortable throughout the weekend. We also work with the dining staff to adapt menus and snacks for participants with food allergies, aversions or special diets. Please contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns before your retreat and we will work with you to meet your needs.

We do not provide any alcohol for our participants, but you are welcome to BYOB, provided it fits within the rules outlined by the venue. Please note that illegal drug possession or use is not allowed at any of our retreats at any time and this policy is strictly enforced. Any participant found to be in violation of this policy will be asked to leave the retreat immediately and will not receive a refund.

We follow the current guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local Departments of Public Health (DPH) and will communicate any updates to registrants prior to each retreat. We can and do have immunocompromised participants, and therefore we strongly encourage all participants to be up-to-date on their vaccinations/booster shots. We do encourage participants to leave their colds, viruses, flus and fevers at home!

The comfort and safety of our participants is a top priority. We abide by all local laws and regulations as well as the retreat facility rules and guidelines. Our staff, who are all CPR certified, are always available for any emergency situations and will review all safety procedures and expectations at the start of every retreat. For all of our “challenge by choice” adventure activities, certified outdoor educators and instructors serve as facilitators to ensure the safety of all participants. In addition, our yoga, tai chi and qigong sessions are guided by accredited personnel. In order to understand all of the needs and challenges of our participants, each person is required to provide accurate emergency contacts, up-to-date health information, and communicate any changes or issues to BJBBCR staff. In the case of an individual health emergency, a BJBBCR staff member will accompany the participant to a local medical facility and reach out to their emergency contact.

Cancellations made 30 days or more in advance of a retreat start date will receive full refund minus a $75.00 administrative fee. We do not offer refunds for cancellations made 29 days or less before the retreat start date unless we are able to fill the space with a waitlist participant. If we are able to fill the spot, the registration fee will be refunded minus a $75.00 administrative fee. In the event that a cancellation occurs due to a last minute illness or other medical/immediate family emergencies, the registration fee will be refunded minus a $75.00 administrative fee. In the event we cancel due to failure to register the required minimum number of participants or any facility/weather/public health disaster, the total registration fee will be refunded.