The more you know...

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read these FAQ responses to the most common questions, and if you need more information, use the Contact Us form below.
Schedule & Venue
Program & Presenters
Register for PDA 2026
-> PDA welcomes sober men who have sex with men
-> We want men from diverse backgrounds, including all body shapes/sizes, skin colors, cultures, ages, socioeconomic statuses, & dis/abilities
-> Trans-men are welcome to PDA
-> Your input is invaluable to us, so please email us at website@pepperdietacademy.org if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions
  • -> There is a sobriety requirement of a minimum of 1-year abstinence from all non-prescribed chemical substances (including alcohol, drugs, etc.)
  • -> For men (ages 21+) who have preferably completed all 12-Steps with their sponsors
-> Currently we’re focusing on male-centric programming for men who have sex with men
-> We acknowledge the rich spectrum of gender identities and various sexual identities in our community
-> We are committed to learning and growing, aiming to increasingly address and include non-binary and diverse gender identities in our future programs
-> Some of our workshops may request that you be in various levels of undress
-> In some cases, participants will be invited to get completely naked
-> We respect all bodies as beautiful & will not tolerate shaming others for any reason

-> We welcome men to engage in a consensual exchange of erotic and sexual energy at PDA

-> Though there will be intimate touch and body contact, this is not a sober sex party, not a place to hook-up, nor a retreat simply for sexual gratification

-> The Academy weekend will be an opportunity to learn new intimacy and communication skills while practicing the tools of 12-step recovery

-> No, we do not define our Academy program as therapeutic
-> PDA is modeled upon the principles of the 12-steps of AA and CMA; while the Twelve Traditions provide guidelines for our group harmony and purpose
-> We guide men through skillful experiences, leaving participants to define its meaning & value
-> You are encouraged to get professional self-care outside of PDA, as appropriate
-> To create comfort & emotional safety of all participants, there will be no use of mobile phones in any non-private spaces until Sunday, the final day
-> No photography is permitted with the exception of the “Gear Profile Pictures” & until Sunday, the final day
-> Any photos require the explicit consent of all of the men in the camera frame
PDA is an immersive 3.5 day retreat which includes:
-> Lodging indoors for three nights in Deloro Valley’s beautiful Lodge
-> Shared (and some Private) rooms with individual beds (king, queen, twin/full, and  bunk beds)
-> Eight Meals (including vegetarian options) Thursday to Sunday; prepared in their commercial kitchen & served in a large dining hall
-> PDA has a full buyout at Deloro Valley’s Base Camp buildings and amenities such as a great lawn and their large swimming pool
-> Your only additional expense to the Eventbrite ticket registration and the TicketSpice Room and board booking is your transportation to and from Tuolumne, CA
-> Attendance for PDA’s residential retreat requires:
        1. Agreement to our Academy’s terms and PDA’s Liability Waiver
        2. Pre-registration via a ticket purchase (via Eventbrite) and
        3. A Room & Board booking (via TicketSpice) for Deloro Valley
-> When you register via Eventbrite & TicketSpice, we will email or text you to confirm your participation
-> If you do not hear from us, email us at website@pepperdietacademy.org
-> Academy registrants might be invited to a private WhatsApp Group to communicate with each other and remain connected with organizers and facilitators

— Registrants requesting a refund should contact PDA via email at website@pepperdietacademy.org

— Once your request is received, we will review it and determine whether a full or partial refund can be issued.

Refund requests made before June 21, 2026:
 — Full refund up to 45 days prior to the start of the retreat

Refund requests made made between June 22 and before July 5, 2026:

— Partial refund of approx. 75 % (minus the Credit Card Processing, Service fees, and Transaction costs) up to 30 days prior to the start of the retreat

No Refunds after July 5, 2026:

— As that begins the 30 day window prior to the start of the PDA retreat on August 6, 2026

If there is anything else...

Ask your Questions

PDA welcomes your ideas, support, feedback, and we also want to hear about your concerns. It may take us a little while to get back to you. The PDA committee is all-volunteer so please be patient for a response.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

Help Make PDA Happen

Your donation helps to make this experience available for those who would like to attend but are unable to afford it. Please give generously today.