Join us!

Before You Apply:

The Temple of Belonging is a curated, bioregional women’s gathering local to the Pacific Northwest devoted to relational depth, shared responsibility, and the lived practice of belonging. This is not a festival model, but is a participatory village.

We prioritize local wisdom and expertise, refined skills, and intergenerational opportunities that have been lived and practiced, not just conceptualized. Our intention is to cultivate depth over density and coherence over scale.

Who Is This For?

This gathering is for women who are willing to participate as community members first. We value humility, relational maturity, and a willingness to contribute beyond one’s own offering. Returning village members may be prioritized in order to honor community continuity and shared stories.

If you are primarily seeking exposure, high-volume sales, or brand expansion, this may not be the right container. We are gathering to share our gifts, wisdom, medicine and connection to fortify and remember true belonging as our birthright.

Marketplace Update:

In order to keep this year simple and spacious, we will not be hosting a full marketplace. We have learned that a marketplace requires its own infrastructure and energy, and this season we are choosing to focus on cultivating a deeper community culture and shared experience.

A small number of aligned partners and sponsors may share their work in modest, curated ways woven thoughtfully into the event. Any offerings available on site will be open during set hours and integrated into programs, rather than operating as a separate commercial space.

If you'd like to join us at a PARTNERSHIP level, please head HERE to learn more.

Expectations

Facilitators and participants are expected to:

• Attend the gathering, 9/23-9/27
• Participate in orientation
• Uphold our Code of Ethics Agreement
• Engage as community members beyond their offering

This is a co-created field. Belonging here is practiced, not consumed.

Practical Details

Dates, location, lodging options, accessibility information, and timeline for acceptance and payment are listed below. Please read all logistics carefully before applying.'

If you feel aligned with this vision and are willing to share in the responsibility of tending it, we welcome your application.

If not, we trust your discernment.

Facilitator Compensation & Ticket Trade Model

At The Temple of Belonging, facilitators participate through a partial ticket trade model:

A 2–3 hour workshop, ceremony, or skill share is credited at $300 toward your event ticket
The standard ticket price is $675; after the workshop credit, the facilitator ticket cost is $375
The facilitator ticket includes full participation in the 5-day gathering, including 15 meals, camping, and site amenities.

This model is designed so facilitators attend as full participants in the community. Facilitators are not contracted performers arriving only to deliver content. By using a ticket trade model, we share financial responsibility across the community. This model honors that facilitators are participating in the full experience, receiving nourishment, housing, and community alongside everyone else.

It also allows us to remain committed to accessibility. Temple of Belonging operates as a nonprofit and uses ticket revenue to support equitable event access for mothers in need and women of color, as well as essential costs like kid's camp infrastructure, venue rental, fair wages, insurance, and production. With a ticket trade model, financial responsibility is shared across the community rather than placed primarily on performers or organizers.

Our aim is to create a virtuous cycle of sustainability within a culture of belonging. Full engagement makes the village full.

Please read carefully before applying:

Mandatory dates for facilitators, crew, volunteers, spa team and support teams:

9/22 (1pm arrival apx.) - 9/28 (11am departure.)

Crew-folk will all be asked to arrive for set up on the 22nd, and stay for tear down on the 28th. We ask all accepted facilitators and participants to be present for the full duration of the gathering if possible. Arrival and departure windows will be clearly designated and honored in order to support coherence and flow.

General attendee arrivals are from 9/23 (8-11am arrivals) to 9/27 (departing by the evening)

Location
The gathering will take place at Camp Colton, 45 min southeast of Portland, OR. This is a natural setting. Expect uneven terrain, variable weather, and a camp-style environment. Come prepared for warmth during the day, cooler evenings, and the possibility of rain.

Lodging
This is a camping event. Limited accommodation options may include shared cabins, camping, or limited private rentals depending on availability and accessiblity needs of the community. Details regarding lodging tiers and pricing will be shared upon acceptance. We do our best to balance comfort with simplicity.

Meals
Shared meals are included in your ticket. We provide nourishing, thoughtfully prepared food. Please communicate dietary restrictions in advance so we can accommodate as best as possible within our capacity. As a crew-folk, you'll be fed 15 meals starting at Breakfast on the 23rd to Dinner on the 27th.

Accessibility
We are committed to increasing accessibility each year. If you have mobility needs or specific access concerns, please reach out before applying so we can communicate clearly about what is and is not currently possible at this site.

Power & Connectivity
Electricity is limited. WiFi and strong cell service may not be available. We encourage preparation for low-tech participation and embodied presence.

Application Timeline
• Application deadline: Feb 28th
• Notification of acceptance: March 7th
• Payment deadline if accepted: March 14th

Please only apply if you are prepared to commit within this timeline.

Cancellation Policy
Tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend after acceptance, you may transfer your spot within the community pending approval.