Camp Moonstone is coming back in 2027!
What is Camp Moonstone?
Camp Moonstone is a 3-night wellness retreat for Black gay men, hosted in collaboration with the Brothers United & YBU Winter Retreat.
It’s a weekend getaway designed to nourish the mind, body, and spirit through healing, joy, nature, and community. Think: group hikes, mental health support, bonfire conversations, shared meals, celebration, and deep rest — all rooted in Black queer brilliance.
Retreat Includes
Accommodation / Lodging
Your retreat registration includes overnight hotel accommodations, free parking, and you can choose between single occupancy or shared rooming. No hidden or unexpected fees, we aim to provide a holistic retreat experience. The retreat site is approximately an hour south of Nashville (Chapel Hill, TN).
Food & Beverages
Your retreat registration includes meals and non alcoholic beverages. Meals will be communal and some working lunches and dinner conversations are build into the agenda. Some meals will be family style catered, some individually ordered - allergy accommodations available upon request.
Events & Activities
The retreat will feature speakers, collaborative team building activities, physical activities in nature, guided mindfulness activities, skill-sharing and resources, self care time, and time to let loose and celebrate.
Camp Moonstone Fellowship Program: Timeless Voices & Emerging Voices
In 2025 we offered two fellowship tracks designed to honor every stage of the journey.
Timeless Voices Fellows (Ages 50+ Living with HIV)
This track was meant to celebrate resilience, legacy, and brotherhood. Fellows receive full scholarships, including meals, lodging, and transportation.
Emerging Voices Fellows (Ages 18–24)
This track was meant to nurture creativity, self-discovery, and leadership among the next generation. Fellows will explore identity and connection while building lifelong community. Full scholarships include meals, lodging, and transportation.
Fellowship Program Impact:
From those that attended in 2025 The Emerging Voices (gay men between the ages of 19-25) noted that their reason for attending Camp moonstone was "connecting with men in a safe place." 92% of all Camp Moonstone attendees, including the 19-25 age group, noted that attending Camp Moonstone improved their confidence in their ability to access HIV prevention, testing, or support services.
The following video was made during Camp Moonstone by one of our Emerging Voices Fellows. Each express why this program was pivotal for them and their identities.
Key Highlights from the Video:
When asked what they were hoping to get out of the fellowship at camp moonstone, one participant hoped to open up more to the community and receive advice from the elders. He wanted to change his introversion.
When asked: "In what ways have you learned to thrive as a black queer man" another Emerging Voice fellow explained that dealing with a lack of acceptance from his biological family doesn't help him thrive, but that his camp moonstone chosen family does! He said, "Being around so many that celebrated who I was was a very different experience for me, and that helped me find who I am and what i want to represent." Being in community was where he learned how to accept and balance being black and queer, which is how he lives his life 100% now and his community was the reason for that.
The video also outlines advice the Emerging Voice fellows took away from the retreat, as given by the elders. One that stuck with them was, "Its important to have intimacy and friendship; they are important to our survival... to have successful relationships we need to have successful friendships and familial relationships. Even if its just for this one time during the year that we're together it makes it so we have hope."