Know Before You Go!

What to Pack? 
Your retreat is customizable, so your needs may vary! 

Click Here For The Agenda

Expect bright sun, dry air, and hot temps! Most activities will be inside the air-conditioned retreat center, but if you plan on taking part in outdoor activities, we recommend packing sunscreen. (See pages 2-3 on the Agenda for suggested attire for each activity.)

The Arts Cafe will host a nighttime Open Mic for attendees to share their talents like comedy, poetry, live music, or karaoke. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments for a jam session. 

Quiet Room & Arts Cafe

If you're not interested in either of the activities during a time slot, the Quiet Room and Arts Cafe are open 24/7 and always an option. 

• Quiet Room - A haven to take a break from the group and the noise.

• Arts Cafe - Visit for games, puzzles, or just hanging out. You don't want to miss our Open Mic Nights! 

Join The YOPN Discord Server

Did you know that YOPN Members have their own discord server? Discord is a free instant messaging and VoIP social platform that provides voice, video, and text communication for communities, or "servers". 

Create an account and join the YOPN Discord server  for all YOPN Carefree Retreat updates before and during the retreat. You can download the Discord app here.    

Air/Ground Transportation & Parking

The retreat center is approximately 45 minutes north of Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix. Both the Retreat Center and Hampton Inn have available parking.

Shuttles will be available to take attendees back to the airport on Sunday, but transportation on Friday will be on your own. Please fill out this form so that we can better plan for arrivals and departures from Carefree.

If you’re hoping to share an Uber with other attendees, join the YOPN Discord server to find folks arriving around the same time!   

Venue Amenities

• Spirit in the Desert is located on over 7 scenic acres in Carefree, Arizona, nestled in the foothills of the High Sonoran Desert approximately 45 minutes north of Phoenix and 30 minutes north of downtown Scottsdale, Arizona. 
  
  

• All bedrooms have private bathrooms and a patio or balcony, most with spectacular mountain views.  
  
  

• Experienced chefs serve homemade, healthy meals, and the center always provides for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free needs for each meal. .Just let us know ahead of time if you have a specific food allergy (i.e. peanuts) and it will also be accommodated. 
  
  

• There is a heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi (open 7am-9pm), as well as free wifi, a meditation garden, and 24-hour coffee/tea refreshments, water, ice, and laundry.   
  
  

• It’s a no smoking/vaping facility, but guests are welcome to bring in alcohol, and there’s a grocery store a block from the center if you need to pick anything up.    

Provided Food and Beverage

• Friday, 9/19 - Drinks and Dinner

• Saturday, 9/20 - Breakfast, Lunch, Drinks, and Dinner
  

• Sunday, 9/21 - Breakfast

• Snacks - All weekend  

Travel Tip: Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

What is the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower? The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a simple tool for you to voluntarily share that you have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent – and that you may need a helping hand, understanding, or more time at the airport, in shops, at work, or in public spaces.