This retreat is a chance for a deep immersion into movement skills using Contact Improvisation and Body-Mind Centeringsm. Ape Co movements bring you into integration and group play. Practice time is playful, socially engaging, and has restoration time built in. You will have great support. Ideally you can stay on site for the full immersion experience of 4 days.

The 4 day immersion learning gives you the most benefit. However, it you can't make the 4 days, there are day passes available. This is a "pay per day" so you have to register for each day, or for a weekend pass. There are evening passes (no dinner, starts at 7:30). We would love you to come and play with us!

Click the green buy your ticket and scroll down to find the day pass options.

The full time schedule is below the FAQ's Scroll to the bottom.

Classes: We have a great set of teachers who will share CI and movement explorations using partner games and skill practices that awaken your body intelligence. Annie Brook will guide daily movement and touch classes based on Body-Mind Centering, living anatomy, informed touch and contact improvisation. 

Evenings are open contact jam integration time (with a guided warmup if you choose).

Pool sessions: Thursday/Friday

Meals:  Meals are provided. See below about meals and food. 

Boulder Elks Lodge is located behind the Sunrise Senior Center, on north 28th St, south of Jay Road. It is a huge building, over 4,000 square feet, and a wonderful playground. It has a beautiful large wood dance floor, a smaller round wood dance floor, a dinning room, bathrooms, showers, a lounge, a commercial kitchen, a club/game room, meeting rooms, an outdoor heated pool, and a bar :) 

Come enjoy the deco of the 60's and the social movement community of  2023 at our Ape Co meets CI retreat! 

Address is 3975 28th St. Boulder CO, 80301

We have done our best to make this an affordable retreat so we offer buffet style nutritious, simple food. We have both meat and vegetarian non-dairy options. Each meal will have a gluten free grain, a salad, and a vegetable dish. Snacks are provided. 

The food includes vegetarian options at every meal. There is always a salad with nuts and fruit available. It's always good to bring your own stash of specialty needs that don't require use of the kitchen or refrigeration. Or if you prefer a special protein, bring what doesn't need refrigeration. 

The 4-days pass includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day except Sunday, which includes breakfast and lunch. 

Daily passes include lunch and dinner but not breakfast. Evening pass: no meal included

Note: There is no place onsite to make or store food. 

Attention Campers: Please, no food in your tents when camping. We have a nearby racoon population that will not be afraid to raid your tent. Please NO FOOD in tents! 

You will be in a large semi-private grass field right behind Boulder Elks Lodge. You will have hot shower access at the pool, plus full use of the Boulder Elks Lodge during open hours. (there are additional portopotties in the camp site). If you have an RV, book soon because those limited spots fill up. Contact Boulder Elks Lodge #566 for RV camping.

💡Important Ticket Info
When you click “Reserve your spot,” you’ll purchase your retreat ticket.
• If you're staying overnight on-site, please return to checkout afterward to purchase a camping pass.
• If you need to rent camping gear, please revisit the page again to add that rental.
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Your camping fee includes daily use of the pool showers, and bathrooms.

We have an onsite outdoor heated pool at Boulder Elks. We will have some limited pool access to enjoy a guided exploration of contact in the water. This class will happen 1x/day (Thurs-Fri), and be limited to 20 people/class. This means you have to sign up to participate, and may only get to do so 1x. Finding your way in water is a great additional movement skill and option for play, fun, and integration. 

Also, Friday Evenings are Elks pool generosity nights to the community. The pool is open to the public for Free starting at 5 pm. If you need a break, you can go poolside and enjoy your evening. They also have an outdoor barbecue for purchase. (not included with your pass).

You can still join. Ideally you have some movement experience in a group setting. And, the classes will be varied with plenty of instructors to meet your needs. The touch classes will be informative, and provide gentle movement awareness as well. Sometimes, doing new things can bring up emotions. Our Brook Institute staff is well trained to support you through this journey of re-informing and exploring new patterns in the body-mind. 

There will be a port-a -potty on site near the campground. There are 2 many stalled bathrooms available inside the building but not after 10 pm or before 8 am.

Tent sites are within site of the building so it is not far away. Though it is a quiet field off to the side area away from the building. 

If you are rained out of your tent, you can camp indoors with your sleeping pad. One woman is already camping "indoors" so it will be like a shared space.

A full refund is available only if you cancel by one week prior to the retreat start. We order food and organize costs with vendors based on that date. 

 Great question! The Elks is an international charity organization founded by performing artists  who migrated from Europe to New York City in the late 1800's. One of their members became ill and died, and his family wished to return to England. The Performing company started a charity drive to fund the family's passage back to England. Charity became such a recognized ethic, that this company formed the Elks organization. Elks has grown to become a national social community charity organization,. The Elks provide more scholarships than the US government and donate much to their local community.

Elks focus is community, charity, and public service. The founders, with their theater background,  created a membership initiaion ritual still in use today to share their vision and mission:  Love of others, Justice, Charity, and Fidelity (having internal ethics).

Boulder Elks Lodge #566 was established in 1920, and donated their original building on 13th and Spruce to the city of Boulder (now the planning department). The Elks built its current location in the late 1960's to accommodate it's large membership and have adequate parking. 

Location: 3975 28th St, entrance at Sunrise Senior Center on 28th, and head west to the large building in back. 

PUBLIC BUS

You can take the Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus from DIA to Boulder (Route AB). The route makes several convenient stops in Boulder. Buses leave approximately every 60 minutes from the airport. The schedule and route information can be found on RTD's website (select Route AB/AB1/AB2). Tickets are paid directly to the driver upon boarding the bus. You'll need cash and exact fare only, as drivers cannot make changes. This is an economical option, with one-way tickets costing $10.50. RTD has an information booth on the baggage claim level of the Main Terminal. The trip takes approximately 80 minutes. www.rtd-denver.com.

Uber now has a partnership with RTD (which runs the public buses). You can use the Uber app to plan your route and pay for your bus fare. Just open your Uber app, choose your destination and starting location, and hit "Transit" among the product options. 

Altitude Differences: If you come from low altitude, please be sure to drink enough water. You may need some aspirin if you tend to get headaches. Taking a walk when you arrive can be helpful to acclimate as well. 

Movement comfortable clothing.

Lightweight cotton drawstring pants that are a bit baggy, ensure you can move all you want.

Yes, you want longer than shorts. Shorts would only be for when you are not moving. You don't want to get floor burn.

Pajamas could work, and they would be both more noticeable, and more "cool" if you want that. 

T-shirts with short sleeves will help avoid getting floor burn. Maybe longer sleeves at night.