The Exponent II Retreat

2026 Retreat Details

This year’s Exponent II retreat will be held September 18-20, 2026 at the Barbara C. Harris Episcopal Camp and Retreat Center, Greenfield, New Hampshire. Registration will open April 11, 2026 at 12noon Eastern Time (spots fill quickly, so early registration is recommended). Learn more about this year’s keynote speaker, lodging and logistics on our 2026 Exponent II Retreat page.

What is the Exponent II Retreat?

Since 1983, Exponent II has hosted an annual retreat in New England for women and gender minorities connected to Mormonism and feminism. This retreat provides a space for friendship, learning, and community-building through workshops, discussions, and shared traditions.

Held at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield, New Hampshire, along the shores of Otter Lake, the retreat typically takes place on the third weekend of September. It is about a 90-minute drive from the Boston airport. Those interested can sign up for the Exponent II monthly newsletter for updates on dates, locations, and registration details.

Originally founded in Boston as a quarterly newspaper in 1974, Exponent II became a vital space for Mormon feminists to share their voices. As the publication grew, so did the need for in-person gatherings. The annual retreat became a way for this community — spread across the country — to connect in a meaningful, supportive environment.

Learn more in our 2025 blog series about the retreat

Who Attends the Retreat? Are There Scholarships?

The retreat welcomes women and gender minorities (nonbinary individuals, transgender women, and gender-fluid individuals) who identify with Mormonism in any way — whether they are active in the LDS Church, culturally Mormon, or somewhere in between. For those seeking thoughtful conversations, personal growth, and a sense of belonging, the Exponent II retreat continues to be a cherished tradition. Attendees range in age from 18 to 90, with most between their mid-30s and mid-50s. Exponent II values inclusivity over ideological purity, meaning participants do not need to align with any specific level of LDS faith, ex-Mormon identity, or feminist activism to feel at home. Nursing infants are welcome at the retreat.

Exponent II offers scholarships to attendees in need of financial assistance, with priority given to those from marginalized backgrounds, including LGBTQIA and BIPOC individuals. To increase accessibility, we also keep costs as low as possible.  

What is the Retreat Experience Like?

The retreat spans a weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. It includes structured discussions, workshops, and informal opportunities for relaxation and socializing.

• Friday: Check-in, dinner, introductions, and intention-setting.
• Saturday: Workshops on a range of topics, free time for rest and recreation, small group discussions, a keynote address, and a lively variety show.
• Sunday: Spiritual autobiographies, a Quaker-style meeting, singing, closing reflections, and lunch.

Workshops

Workshops vary each year and reflect the interests of attendees who propose session topics in advance. Past sessions have included:

• Art and writing workshops
• Discussions on navigating faith transitions and mixed-faith marriages
• Social justice and political issues
• Healing from religious trauma
• Finding meaning and ritual outside of church structures
• Feminist scripture interpretation

Keynote Speakers

Each year, Exponent II invites a keynote speaker who offers insight relevant to the retreat community. Recent speakers include:

• Sylvia Cabus shared her presentation – The Liminal Mormon
• Fifty Years of Exponent II co-writer Heather Sundahl
• LGBTQIA+ therapist Dr. Lacey Bagley
• Memoirist Allison Hong Merrill
• Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Exponent II co-founder Laurel Thatcher Ulrich (keynote published in magazine after 2020 and 2021 retreats cancelled due to COVID-19)

The Variety Show

A highlight of Saturday night, the variety show features an array of performances, from comedic skits and song parodies to moving musical numbers and poetry readings. Participants are welcome to join in or simply enjoy the entertainment.

Spiritual Autobiographies

A unique tradition at the retreat is the presentation of “spiritual autobiographies.” Inspired by a speech given by Lavina Fielding Anderson in 1982, these personal narratives explore an individual’s spiritual journey. Speakers share reflections on key moments, transitions, and discoveries in their faith and personal lives, offering deep, intimate insights that resonate with many attendees.

Quaker-Style Meeting

On Sunday morning, the retreat hosts a Quaker-style meeting — a quiet, reflective gathering where anyone can stand and share thoughts as they feel moved. Unlike an LDS testimony meeting, this gathering has no set speakers, no hierarchical oversight, and no expectation that remarks be religious in nature. This tradition dates back to a 1982 Mormon feminist “Pilgrimage” in Nauvoo, Illinois, and has since become a beloved part of Exponent II’s annual gathering.