Forgotten Coast (Body, Mind & Spirits) Hangout 2024
November 6 - November 13
Registration opens Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 10am Central
Escape to the tranquil beauty of The Forgotten Coast in the historic towns of Port St. Joe, Apalachicola and the hidden gem of Cape San Blas with its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and estuarine nature preserves.
Immerse yourself in a laid-back Hangout, offering daily meditation, yoga classes, a Sound Bath and holistic workshops to rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. Engage in the local community by volunteering at the Sea Turtle Center. Enjoy beach combing, gulf sunsets, bonfires and maritime history. Indulge in water activities and savor the freshest local seafood with a catered Low Country Boil, creating unforgettable memories with friends in this charming beach haven.
This Hangout is currently sold out, but join the waiting list and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up!
Hangout Highlights
- 7-nights FHU at RV Resort
- Daily Meditation & Yoga Classes
- Touring historic towns
- Dead Lakes Boat tour
- Bad Art Workshop
- Sea Turtle Center & Volunteer Opportunity
- Apalachicola Estuarine Nature Preserve
- Catered Low Country Boil Dinner
- Beach Blanket Sound Bath
- Optional Kayaking
A Dead Lakes Boat Tour through the lakes will be a journey back to what feels like a prehistoric past. While the Tupelo and Cypress trees are in an untouched serene state, and may look desolate, the Lakes are full of life. Gliding through the water you may see an osprey or eagle roosting; a wild pig or alligator might watch you from the shore of a tiny island. The way the sun plays with the fog, you’ll swear it’s alive!
A Tupelo Honey Tour and the Dead Lakes go well together in the Land of Lakes and Honey! You’ll visit Smiley’s Honey to learn how honey is harvested from White Tupelo Gum trees that have ‘wet feet’, standing in several feet of water. Beekeepers have been riding barges for years, following the bees up and down the waterways, to produce this food of the gods.
A Low Country Boil Catered Dinner is a Southern coastal culinary tradition, especially in Apalachicola. This communal dish typically features a mouthwatering medley of fresh seafood, corn on the cob, smoked sausage and potatoes, seasoned with a blend of spices. The ingredients are boiled together in a large pot, allowing the flavors to meld and create a delicious one-pot wonder.
We’ll be served on communal picnic tables to enjoy a laid-back meal. A vegetarian option will also be available.
Beach Sound Bath Crystal singing bowls used for sound healing is a holistic practice that utilizes specially crafted quartz crystal bowls to produce therapeutic sounds and vibrations to align and balance the body’s energy centers. Weather permitting, you’ll be immersed in these soothing sounds, while lying on your beach blanket, to experience a heightened sense of inner harmony.
Sea Turtle Center Volunteering The Turtle Center in Cape San Blas is a conservation haven, dedicated to the protection and rehabilitation of sea turtles. During their education program and while volunteering, you’ll witness the incredible efforts made to rescue, rehabilitate and release these majestic creatures back into their natural habitat.
Hangout Location
Presnell’s Bayside Marina & RV Resort sits on the waterfront of the Gulf of Mexico, with kayak & paddle board rentals, and easy access to fishing, snorkeling, beaches and a heated swimming pool.
About 5 miles down the shores of St. Joseph Bay, you can see the lighthouse which marks Port St. Joe and the area’s main city, offering shopping in the historic downtown district along with two grocery stores and plenty of restaurants and quaint cafes.
This Hangout is limited to 30 RVs, so please don’t wait too long to register!
Is this event right for me?
Every member is welcome at all Escapees RV Club events and every activity is optional. With that said, this Body, Mind & Spirits Hangout is best suited for members who:
- love yoga or have an interest in learning yoga
- are interested in improving their physical and mental wellness
- enjoy walking, kayaking and biking
- can participate in activities during weekdays & evenings
- have their own transportation if carpooling cannot be arranged
If this event is not right for you, please check out another Hangout. For events designed specifically for working-age RVers, with most activities in the evenings and on weekends, try an Xscapers Convergence. Or, for more of an all-inclusive, guided-tour experience, you may prefer one of our Head-Out Programs (HOPs).
Pet Owners
We love our pets and try to select pet-friendly activities and venues so your pet can come along. But, it’s not always possible. Several activities during this Hangout will require you to be away from your pet for the day. We recommend making advanced care arrangements for your pet. Many Hangout attendees have used www.rover.com.
Schedule
Scheduled activities are subject to change. Activities marked with an *asterisk are not included in your Hangout fee, such as entrance and parking fees, optional meals or activities.
Wednesday November 6
- Arrival and Check-In at Campground
- Welcome Gathering and Introductions
Thursday November 7
- Guided Meditation & Beginner Yoga
- Tour of Port St Joe (PSJ) & lunch* in town
- Beach time/Free time
- Potluck Dinner, Club Talk, Tips & Tricks
Friday November 8
- Quiet Meditation & Intermediate Yoga
- Dead Lakes Boat Tour & Tupelo Honey Tour (Group I)
- Beach, Bike or Hike/Free Time
- Moon Water Workshop
- Dinner at The Haughty Heron*
Saturday November 9
- Guided Meditation & Beginner Yoga
- Free Time to visit Apalachicola
- Oyster City Brewing Company beer tastings
- ‘Tamara’s On the Go’ Low Country Boil group dinner
Sunday November 10
- Quiet Meditation & Intermediate Yoga
- Kayak Trip*
- Free Time
- Sound Bath Workshop
- T.H. Stone Memorial St Joseph Peninsula State Park*
- Beach Bonfire
Monday November 11
- Guided Meditation & Beginner Yoga
- Dead Lakes Boat Tour & Tupelo Honey Tour (Group II)
- Beach, Bike or Hike / Free Time
- Bad Art Workshop
- Music Trivia
Tuesday November 12
- Quiet Meditation & Intermediate Yoga
- Sea Turtle Center Volunteering
- Free Time
- P-P-P-Potluck Party
Wednesday November 13
- Travel Stretches
- GTHO Breakfast
- Departure and Happy Trails!
Registration includes:
- 7-nights RV Resort Full Hookup Campground
- Daily Meditation & Yoga
- Sightseeing towns of Port St Joe & Apalachicola
- Dead Lake Boat Tour & Tupelo Honey Tour
- Turtle Center Volunteering
- Low Country Boil Catered Dinner
- Holistic Workshops
- Beach Bonfire
- Campground Games
- Potluck Dinners
- GTHO departure day breakfast
- Hangout Hosts
Additional costs to consider: meals out, parking fees, kayaking
All activities listed for this event are subject to change.
Hangout Cost:
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RV site, 2 people $810
Waterfront site
-
RV site, 2 people $750
Non-waterfront site
-
Deduct for only 1 person -$70
-
Each additional person (including children) $70
for more than 2 people in the same RV
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*Optional Activity: Paddleboard Rental $40
Half day rental per person
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*Optional Activity: Single Kayak Rental $40
Half day rental per person
-
*Optional Activity: Tandem Kayak Rental $63
Half day rental. Price per double kayak, not per person
-
Escapees RV Club Membership
You must be an Escapees RV Club member to attend this event. If you are not currently a member, you will be able to add a new membership during the registration process.
By registering for this Hangout, you are representing and agreeing to the following:
- You are physically capable of participating in the event.
- Your recreational vehicle, other vehicles, and any other equipment you may use to participate in the event will be in working condition.
- You will observe all applicable laws (including obtaining relevant licenses) and event rules and will conduct yourself in a safe and prudent manner while participating in the event.
- Although volunteers may be directing and assisting you to your parking area, it is the driver of the vehicle who is ultimately responsible for avoiding obstacles or dangerous situations and is solely responsible for any damage to your property or the property of others.
- You accept and assume all risks arising from participation in the event and waive and release all claims against Escapees or its affiliates relating to such participation.
- You consent to receive medical treatment deemed necessary if you are injured or require medical attention during your participation in the event and agree that you are solely responsible for all related costs.
- You grant your permission to be filmed, videotaped, audiotaped, or photographed and grant to Escapees full use thereof without compensation.
- You will receive occasional email notifications of future Escapees events; however, you can opt out of these notifications at any time.
The above is only a summary. Please carefully read the full terms and conditions, assumption of risk, and waiver of claims agreement that will be provided to you during the registration process.
How to Register
To register, click the button below and follow the instructions on your screen. If you need assistance with your registration, please call Escapees Event Registration at 936-329-6499 or email registration@escapees.com.
Please read the Cancellation Policy below, before you register.
We’re sorry, but this Hangout is currently sold out. If you’d still like to attend, please join the waiting list below. We’ll notify you if a spot opens up.
After you Register
You’ll receive an email from registration@escapees.com with your registration confirmation. If you don’t receive it, call Escapees Event Registration at 936-329-6499 to ensure your registration was processed correctly, but please wait a few minutes to see if it shows up!
Please join the private Hangout group on Facebook; a link to the group will be in your confirmation email. We will use this Facebook group as our primary source of communication with Hangout attendees before and during the event.
You will receive a pre-arrival email about 30 days prior to the start date, with details to help you plan for the Hangout.
Cancellations & Travel Insurance
Should you need to cancel your registration, call Escapees Event Registration ASAP at 936-329-6499 between 8 am and 4 pm Central Time, Monday through Friday, or email registration@escapees.com.
Cancellation Policy Dates
Cancellations before 11:59pm Central Time on Friday, September 6, 2024 are entitled to a full refund, minus a $50 administrative fee.
Cancellations before 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday, October 7, 2024 will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be given for cancellations made after 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday, October 7, 2024.
All ticket sales on and after Tuesday, October 8, 2024 are final.
This cancellation policy is firm. There are no exceptions.
If Escapees RV Club has to cancel the Hangout for any reason, you would receive a full refund of your registration fee.
Travel Insurance
Things can happen; and we don’t want you to be even more disappointed by not receiving a refund. We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Guard travel insurance from AIG after registering to protect your investment in the Hangout if you must cancel due to unexpected illness, death, or certain other contingencies. Travel insurance can help cover emergency medical and trip interruption expenses during the Hangout. Pre-existing medical conditions are waived if you purchase your insurance within 15 days after your Hangout registration fee payment.
Waiting List
When this Hangout is sold out, please join the waiting list by completing the form below, when the waitlist opens. There are usually several cancellations before a Hangout, so should a spot open up and you’re next on the waiting list, you may get another shot at registration!
