Shine Your Divine Light at Our Special 25th Annual Gathering
Join us for our 25th annual gathering, Illumination: Shining Our Divine Light. This year, we’ll embark on a profound journey, exploring how to collectively activate and balance our sacred energy. Embrace the graceful allowance that unlocks your inner goddess as we share our stories in circle, witnessed by our powerful Grandmother sisters.
In the opening ceremony, we will connect with each other organically and with spirit as we open our hearts to inspiration and guidance with offerings of the Sacred Ashes, smudging, and the opening music of She Folk.
Hear from four illuminating guest speakers who will share how they keep their soulful wisdom burning bright through empowered vision, healing, and stewardship.
Experience the sensational healing found in a sound bath by Brenda Bledsoe, meditation, and ecstatic dance led by Rebecca Washburn.
Our inspiring lineup includes keynote speaker Betsey Grady, a natural intuitive and certified Akashic Records consultant.
Other speakers shining their light and making a positive impact in their communities:
• Kathryn Akin, sharing the vital work of Udada Unlimited in Africa
• Tamlin Allbritten, presenting the transformative power of Art with a Purpose
• Susan Fontaine Godwin shedding light on how Hope Community, a local nonprofit, cultivates unity through food, healing, and education
Let’s honor this quarter-century milestone of annual gatherings by coming together and truly letting our divine lights shine!
Registration information:
Dates: Thursday, October 23 - Sunday, October 26, 2025
Location: Camp Beckwith, Fairhope, AL
This year we are able to accommodate 60 women. There is a $100 non-refundable registration fee required to reserve your space at the Gathering.
How To Register:
Registration requests will be filled on a first-come, first served basis with a waiting list. Your $100 non-refundable deposit (not an additional cost) AND your completed registration form will hold a space for you. You may pay in full at the time of registration, or if you prefer a payment plan, please only pay the $100 deposit now. We will reach out to you with separate payment links for each installment. Installments will be scheduled with half due on August 15th and the final payment due on October 1st.
To Request a Scholarship
Through the generosity of other grandmothers and last year’s Marketplace and Silent Auction we are able to offer scholarships. ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED, WE WILL GIVE WHAT WE CAN. To submit your request, you must complete the registration and pay the $100 non-refundable deposit, then email us directly at gulfcoastgrandmothers@gmail.com by August 15, 2025 with your request and the amount you are requesting. Requests received after August 15th will be honored as funds are available after initial requests have been arranged.
Early Arrival
Rooms will be available at Camp Beckwith for early arrival on Wednesday, October 22nd after 4pm. The cost is $50 per person and reservations with payment must be made directly and in advance to Beckwith. Contact Rhona Reid, the Reservations Manager at Beckwith, 251- 928-7844 or rhona@beckwithal.com . No snacks or meals will be available on Wednesday night.
Refund Policy
The $100 deposit is non-refundable. No refunds of registration fees will be made after October 14, 2025. Contact Taylor, Bobbi Jo, or Victoria Felton or email us at gulfcoastgrandmothers@gmail.com if a situation arises where you need to cancel your ticket.
REGISTRATION NOTES: (Please read before purchasing tickets)
*Please select your lodging and ticket type from the selections. You must pay at least the non-refundable registration deposit fee of $100 in order for your space to be reserved at the gathering. If you prefer the payment plan, please make sure you select the option for your desired room-type that says "Payment Plan - Registration Fee Only". For those that select the Payment Plan, we will follow up with you individually with payment links for your next two installments. The first installment after the registration fee will be due August 15th and the remaining balance will be due October 1st.
**Please note, this is a new registration platform that saves us money by not charging credit card processing fees for our type of organization. However, it will prompt you to cover the card processing fees yourself at checkout. When you get to that part, please select the option that says "OTHER", and type in $0.00 to bypass that extra charge. See Images below.
***This registration also allows additional donations. If you feel led to donate, your contribution goes directly to our Grandmother Scholarship Fund which supports the attendance of grandmothers in need of financial assistance.
More About Our Gatherings
01.
Fire & Drumming Ceremony
We gather under the stars by the fire with drums and instruments for an empowering drum circle where we share our spirit and each release to the fire what no longer serves us. We encourage you to bring your drums, rattles, tambourines, sashes, etc. to join in the fun.
02.
Croning Ceremony
The Croning Ceremony is a special circle where those who have reached the age of 70 are honored with a purple shawl and the collective appreciation of all in attendance. It is a a rite of passage into an era of greater wisdom, increased freedom, and enhanced personal power - a time to joyfully welcome one’s position as an elder within the community.
03.
Ecstatic Dance
Led by Rebecca Washburn. Ecstatic Dance is a safe, welcoming space to listen to the wisdom of your body and explore the creativity of your soul. It is an opportunity to release limiting beliefs and emotional energy that are held in the body and mind and relax into what is present in the moment.
04.
'Be Your Bling' Fun Night
On the last evening together, we welcome all to participate in our "Be Your Bling" fun night and talent showcase. Many dress up for the occasion, typically inline with the theme for the year, or simply just because. Music and laughter, silliness, and sincerity are all found as we celebrate our collective unity and our individual expression.
05.
Silent Auction & Grandmother Marketplace
We look forward each year to see what cherished, eclectic, and unique items get donated to our silent auction. Grandmothers are encouraged to bring something to donate to the auction, and 100% of the proceeds go to our scholarship fund which supports the attendance of grandmothers in need of financial assistance.
A vendor marketplace is available for Grandmothers who have handcrafted or artisanal items to sell during the gathering. Vendors donate 20% of their proceeds to our Gathering Scholarship Fund.
Explore More
From the opening ceremony to the daily small circles, heart connections form deeper at every turn. We gather yearly to reflect, rejoice and renew our spirit together, embodying unconditional acceptance, and exploring and fulfilling the ancient prophecy: “When the grandmothers speak the earth will heal”. Read more about how we connect with each other organically for inspiration and guidance in workshops, meditation, music, and healing arts — sharing laughter, tears and more.