BLACK ELK RETREAT TERMS & CONDITIONS

Last Updated: March 6, 2026

Please carefully read the following Terms & Conditions relating to your participation in Black Elk Retreat (“Retreat”), presented and operated by Hawkeye Ranch Services LLC (“Promoter,” “we,” “our,” or “us”). By registering for the Retreat, you (“Attendee”) agree to the following Terms & Conditions. If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not register for or attend the Retreat.

1. RETREAT OVERVIEW

Black Elk Retreat is an in-person psycho-spiritual retreat experience held at Hawkeye Ranch in Wyoming. The Retreat includes lodging, meals, group sessions, equine experiences, outdoor activities, and other programming as determined by Promoter.

Retreat programming, faculty, schedule, activities, meals, and accommodations are subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of Promoter.

2. REGISTRATION, PAYMENT, AND INTAKE

Full payment is due at the time of registration unless otherwise expressly approved by Promoter.

As part of the registration process, Attendee is required to complete all requested intake forms and materials within 5 days of purchase, or by any earlier deadline communicated by Promoter. Promoter reserves the right to cancel a registration if required intake materials are not completed on time.

Because this Retreat includes therapeutic, spiritual, and equine-based elements, Promoter reserves the right to determine whether the Retreat is an appropriate fit for each Attendee. If, based on the intake process, Promoter determines that the Retreat is not an appropriate fit, Promoter may cancel the registration and issue a refund at its discretion.

3. CANCELLATION, REFUND, AND NON-TRANSFER POLICY

By purchasing registration for Black Elk Retreat, Attendee understands and agrees to the following:

Attendee has 48 hours from the time of purchase to request a full refund.
After that 48-hour period, the registration is non-refundable.
Registrations are non-transferable.
Promoter does not provide refunds for missed travel, illness, family emergencies, scheduling conflicts, dissatisfaction, change of mind, or failure to attend.
Because of the limited capacity and highly curated nature of this Retreat, these policies are firm.

We strongly recommend that Attendee purchase travel insurance to protect against illness, emergency, weather disruption, airline cancellation, or other unforeseen circumstances.

If Attendee is unable to attend for any reason after the 48-hour refund period, no refund will be issued.

4. IF PROMOTER CANCELS OR RESCHEDULES THE RETREAT

If Promoter cancels the Retreat for any reason, including but not limited to weather events, wildfire, unsafe conditions, insufficient enrollment, staff illness, facility issues, or other circumstances beyond Promoter’s reasonable control, Attendee will receive either:

a refund of amounts paid to Promoter, or
a credit or transfer to a future retreat date, at Promoter’s discretion.

Promoter is not responsible for any other costs incurred by Attendee, including but not limited to airfare, lodging outside the Retreat, rental cars, airport transfers, travel insurance, lost wages, or other travel-related expenses.

5. ATTENDEE ELIGIBILITY AND FIT

This Retreat is intended for adults who are emotionally, spiritually, and physically able to participate in a structured, in-person retreat environment that includes group experiences, equine interaction, outdoor movement, and faith-based programming.

This Retreat is not intended for those in acute psychiatric crisis or for individuals who require a higher level of care than can be safely provided in this retreat setting. Promoter reserves the right to deny participation or remove an Attendee from the Retreat if Promoter determines, in its sole discretion, that participation would be unsafe or inappropriate for the Attendee or the group.

Promoter also reserves the right to ask Attendee not to participate in specific activities or portions of the Retreat if needed for safety, clinical appropriateness, or group well-being.

6. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND EQUINE PARTICIPATION

Attendee understands that this Retreat takes place on a working ranch and involves:

uneven terrain
gravel paths
stairs
sand, dirt, and natural outdoor surfaces
time spent outdoors in varying weather
required interaction with horses as part of the retreat experience

Attendee acknowledges that horses are a core part of the Retreat experience and that participation in equine-based sessions is expected.

Attendee further understands that horses are animals and, even when well-trained and carefully handled, can behave unpredictably. Promoter takes reasonable precautions to create a safe environment, but Attendee accepts the inherent risks associated with being around horses and participating in ranch-based activities.

If Attendee has concerns about physical stamina, mobility, or participation requirements, Attendee is responsible for contacting Promoter before registering.

7. HEALTH, MEDICAL, AND EMERGENCY CARE

Attendee is solely responsible for determining whether they are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually fit to participate in the Retreat.

Attendee agrees to disclose relevant medical, dietary, mobility, or other important information requested during the intake process. Promoter will make reasonable efforts to accommodate disclosed dietary needs and restrictions when possible, but cannot guarantee accommodation of all needs or preferences, especially if not disclosed in advance.

If Attendee requires emergency medical treatment during the Retreat, Attendee consents to such treatment and agrees to be financially responsible for any resulting medical or related expenses.

Attendee understands that Promoter is not providing medical care and is not responsible for monitoring Attendee’s health condition throughout the Retreat.

8. ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER

By attending the Retreat, Attendee voluntarily assumes all risks associated with participation, including but not limited to risks related to travel, outdoor environments, ranch property, uneven terrain, weather, food allergies, communicable illness exposure, equine interaction, emotional discomfort, physical exertion, and group retreat participation.

Attendee agrees to release, waive, and hold harmless Hawkeye Ranch Services LLC, Hawkeye Ranch, its owners, officers, employees, contractors, volunteers, speakers, clinicians, equine professionals, priests, affiliates, partners, and representatives from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, damages, costs, or expenses arising out of or related to Attendee’s participation in the Retreat, except where prohibited by law.

Attendee is also responsible for any damage they cause to persons, animals, property, or facilities during the Retreat and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Promoter for any such damage caused by Attendee’s negligent, reckless, or intentional acts.

9. NO PROFESSIONAL OR GUARANTEED OUTCOME

The Retreat is intended as an experiential, psycho-spiritual retreat and educational experience. While licensed professionals and qualified facilitators may be involved in parts of the Retreat, Attendee understands that participation in the Retreat does not create an ongoing therapist-client, medical-provider, legal, or financial advisory relationship with Promoter.

Promoter does not guarantee any specific emotional, spiritual, therapeutic, relational, or personal outcome from attending the Retreat. Attendee is solely responsible for their own decisions, actions, interpretations, and results.

Promoter also does not guarantee individual session time with any specific facilitator, clinician, or leader, including Dr. Gregory Bottaro. Group assignments, clinician pairings, and scheduling are determined at Promoter’s discretion.

10. ATTENDEE CONDUCT

Attendee agrees to behave respectfully and professionally toward all staff, clinicians, clergy, hosts, equine professionals, and fellow attendees throughout the Retreat.

Promoter reserves the right to remove any Attendee from the Retreat, without refund, if Attendee is disruptive, unsafe, disrespectful, intoxicated, uncooperative, in possession of illegal substances, or otherwise behaving in a manner that negatively affects the safety or experience of others.

11. CONFIDENTIALITY

Because of the personal nature of this Retreat, confidentiality is of primary importance.

Attendee agrees to respect the privacy of all other attendees and not disclose, share, repeat, record, or distribute any personal information, stories, disclosures, or identifying details shared by other participants during or after the Retreat.

Promoter may require Attendee to sign a separate confidentiality acknowledgment as part of the intake or opening retreat process.

Attendee understands that failure to respect confidentiality may result in removal from the Retreat without refund.

12. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND RECORDING

All Retreat materials, content, curriculum, exercises, handouts, and related intellectual property are owned by Promoter or used with permission and are protected by copyright and other applicable laws.

Attendee may not copy, reproduce, distribute, teach from, record, photograph, publish, or share Retreat materials or sessions without prior written permission from Promoter.

Unauthorized recording of Retreat sessions, group discussions, or materials is strictly prohibited.

13. PHOTO, VIDEO, AND AUDIO RELEASE

Attendee understands that portions of the Retreat may be photographed or recorded. By attending, Attendee grants Promoter the right to use Attendee’s name, image, likeness, voice, testimonial, and photographs or recordings for promotional, marketing, editorial, or educational purposes in any media now known or later developed, without compensation or further permission, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

If Attendee has a serious privacy concern, Attendee should notify Promoter in writing before the Retreat.

14. FOOD, BEVERAGES, AND LODGING

The Retreat includes meals and beverages as specified by Promoter. Meal style may vary and may include communal dining, buffet-style meals, and plated dinners.

Attendee understands that lodging is part of a ranch retreat setting, not a luxury hotel setting. Accommodations may include private bedrooms with shared bathrooms or upgraded private bath options, depending on the room selected.

Attendee acknowledges that the property is rustic-luxury in nature and that room layouts, décor, and exact amenities may vary.

Promoter discourages food storage in cabins or guest rooms due to the ranch environment and wildlife considerations.

15. TRAVEL AND ARRIVAL

Attendee is responsible for arranging their own travel to and from the Retreat unless otherwise specifically stated by Promoter. Transportation is provided for attendees to/from Cody Airport.

Promoter may provide general arrival and departure guidance, including suggested airport timing or transfer windows, but Attendee remains solely responsible for booking and managing their own travel.

Attendee is strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance.

16. COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS

Attendee understands that attendance at an in-person retreat carries some inherent risk of exposure to communicable illness, including but not limited to COVID-19, flu, colds, or other viruses.

Attendee agrees not to attend if they are actively ill, contagious, or experiencing symptoms that could reasonably endanger others.

No refund will be provided due to illness or inability to attend after the applicable refund window.

17. GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wyoming.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Retreat shall first be submitted to good-faith mediation. If mediation is unsuccessful, the dispute shall be resolved by binding arbitration in a jurisdiction selected by Promoter, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association or another comparable arbitration body selected by Promoter.

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.