At GLACIER, we consider accessibility to be the ability to participate in the full event, and understand accessibility and access barriers to affect people with a range of identities and backgrounds. While we recognize it is impossible to be fully accessible to everyone at the same time, we strive to accommodate as many people as possible and grow in accessibility with each year. The following statement provides access information in detail.

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Orientation

The first night of GLACIER is mostly unstructured. There will be a potluck, sauna availability, time to unpack or settle in, and an unstructured jam. Because people arrive at different times, the full GLACIER orientation does not happen until Saturday morning. That said, newcomers will receive guidance and a brief orientation at registration, and are encouraged to ask community members if they have any questions. Many of us have attended GLACIER for many years and will be delighted to fill you in about the week that’s in store for you!

 

Consent

GLACIER activities are non-sexual spaces and we believe that consent must be present to be able to engage safely in the dance. No person will be required to dance with any other person, and anyone may leave a dance at any time. No sexual contact or dialogue is permitted in dance workshops at GLACIER.

 

No one is expected to disclose any personal and/or medical information, but attendees are invited to share any pertinent information about injuries or impairments that may be relevant for dancing with others.

 

No one is obligated to attend any workshop at GLACIER. People are able to come and go from workshops as desired, and can feel free to skip workshops as they wish. 

 

Light

There is an abundance of windows and natural light in the dance space, and it is utilized whenever possible. At night or when the sun is not bright enough, non-fluorescent lights are used in the dance space. Non-fluorescent lighting is also used throughout the Christine Center and in the indoor housing.

 

Scent

The Christine Center is not scent-free, though GLACIER organizers request that attendees do not wear strong scents in workshops and in common areas.

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Dance Space and Workshops

The dance space in the Christine Center has a hard floor and is not sprung. This means that hitting the floor may have a more significant impact on bodies than an impact on a sprung floor may have (read: it might hurt more!). The use of knee pads is encouraged, and knee pads will also be available for sale at the event. 

 

The dance space echoes, which can make for hearing instruction and conversation difficult. Teachers will do their best to speak from parts of the room with less echo.  Participants are encouraged to move about the room for the best view and sound to receive instructions and ask for repetition as necessary.  Personal conversations should be taken out into the hallway area to maintain a clear soundscape for instruction.  Verbal instructions for all workshops are given in English only.

 

We are seeking a higher awareness of trauma-informed approaches to contact improvisation and community. Some of our community members do trauma-informed work, and may utilize this approach in their teaching and GLACIER presence, however, we are still growing in this capacity and not all teachers and community members have this experience. Attendees are invited to share feedback.

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Sleeping Accommodations

There are various indoor sleeping options and some people choose to camp during the retreat. There is one guest room in the main building and one Modern Hermitage with two beds that are fully wheelchair accessible (please alert us if you need to reserve an accessible room). There are accessible bathroom stalls in the Center as well. Many of the outdoor cabins have a few steps to enter, and the paths leading up to them are not wheelchair accessible. All cabins have electricity, and either electric, gas, or woodstove heat.

 

If you choose to camp, you will need to bring all camping equipment. Camping areas are all within a short walk to the bathrooms (less than 0.1 miles). Rustic indoor housing do not have an in-unit bathroom and are also a short walk from a communal bathroom. Please specify if you need a space with an in-unit bathroom. Most shared bathrooms are labeled “men” and “women,” though there are gender-neutral single bathrooms inside the Christine Center.

 

Grounds

The grounds of the Christine center are mostly made of woodchip and small stones, however, there are paved paths from the parking lot into the center. The center itself is wheelchair accessible. All paths through the woods are woodchip and stone and there are not paved pathways.

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Christine Center Background

The Christine Center is a retreat center founded by Franciscan nuns, however, no religious participation or affiliation is required by attendees and people of all religions (or lack thereof) are welcome at the Christine Center and at GLACIER. Note that you may encounter iconography from multiple faiths throughout the center reflecting the programming that takes place there.

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Childcare

The GLACIER organization does not provide childcare. The Christine Center expects that pre-adolescent children will be under adult supervision at all times.

 

Food

The Christine Center has a vegetarian kitchen and can accommodate for gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan attendees upon request. Other dietary accommodations may also be provided upon request, although attendees will need to check with the organizers who will check with the Christine Center kitchen ahead of time. Attendees are invited to bring their own food if they choose not to eat the food at the Christine Center, however, refrigerator space is shared and attendees will not have access to a kitchen inside the center. Certain Modern indoor housing units have access to a kitchenette, but attendees will need to specify if they need this accommodation.

 

Participation

People of all levels of experience are invited to dance at GLACIER. Newer dancers are encouraged to dance with more seasoned dancers and to ask questions. While many workshops are structured, there is also ample time for jamming and labbing, which are unstructured times when participants are encouraged to try new things, ask questions, and learn about contact improvisation through observation and practice. Attendees are also encouraged to ask questions during workshops when further instruction is requested.

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Power Dynamics

While the GLACIER community is committed to accessibility, equity, openness to people of all walks of life, and consent, the community is a product of society and is not devoid of power imbalance. Should attendees feel threatened or uncomfortable with any dynamics at GLACIER, they are encouraged to inform the organizers.  We strive to make this as accessible, participatory, and joyful of an experience as possible and welcome feedback.