2026 Retreat Draft — Seven Star

Seven Star Annual Training Retreat

SEPTEMBER 5-September 7, 2026
Camp BUrton, Vashon Island

Retreat Information

In honor of our 45th anniversary this year, Seven Star has invited guest instructors and their students from our sibling schools to join us for this annual retreat! This 2-day retreat is a great opportunity to reflect upon your training, deepen your knowledge of the art, and get to know your fellow students. The weekend will be a mix of classes and relaxation/community time. All actively training students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Registration closes Friday, August 7. This is a training retreat for Seven Star students and students invited from our sibling schools only. Family is not invited. Childcare is not provided.

SCHEDULE

View Classes & Events Schedule Here: Seven Star's 45th Anniversary Training Retreat Schedule

Plan to arrive early Saturday morning, September 5. Classes will start at 10am. Classes end Monday, September 7 at 1pm. The retreat is a mix of scheduled class time, social events, and unprogrammed relaxation time. If you have not attended one of our training retreats before and are wondering what it's like, ask around before or after class to get insights from other students, teachers, or your Sifu. Camp Burton is a lovely location and the retreat is a fantastic opportunity to train with focus and purpose and get to know your fellow students better. NOTE: this is a 2-night retreat. If you cannot stay for both nights, talk to your Sifu. We will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

GETTING THERE

To get to Camp Burton: Take the Fauntleroy/Vashon Ferry. The Vashon Ferry costs approximately $34.30 for a car and 1 driver, with an additional $7.60/passenger. Please plan to split costs with the driver if you are carpooling. Need a ride? Want to offer a ride? Fill out our carpool form. NOTE: You must take the 7:40am or 8:20am ferry from Fauntleroy to make it in time for the 10am opening class.

Camp Burton’s address is 9326 SW Bayview Drive, Vashon Island, Washington 98070 (approx. 20 min drive from Vashon Island Ferry dock). Park in the parking lot adjacent to Grisham Hall. There will be Seven Star signage. The check-in registration table will be located in Grisham Hall’s patio.

HOUSING

We will be assigning cabins. If you have fellow students you want to pod up with, you can list preferences at registration. Given the need to balance cabin sizes and distribution of students we cannot guarantee you will get your preferred cabinmates. If you have concerns about sleeping in a cabin with 4-6 people, tent camping sites are also available.

RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST

Bedding/personal items: Sleeping bag or twin-sized bedding, pillow, towel(s), toiletries, ear plugs, flashlight, hat or visor, sunglasses, and sunscreen
Gear: training clothes, your belt, sparring gear, mouth guard, masks, and shoes for training outside. If you do not own sparring gear, borrow some from the school. We will not be providing sparring equipment. We highly recommend you bring supportive shoes for training--whether that is inside at Grisham Hall or outside in the outdoor training areas
Food & Water: water bottle, snacks, food (especially if you have special dietary needs). Seven Star will provide snacks in Grisham Hall throughout the retreat
Weapons: arnis canes (note: we will bring Seven Star’s weapons if you do not own any)
Training journal and pen
Fun stuff: Swimsuit, water shoes, beach towel, board games, puzzles, coloring books, acoustic instruments for playing by the fire, etc.
Your own tent supplies if you opt to tent camp
Camp chair (optional)

MEALS/FOOD

Camp Burton is great about accommodating our group’s dietary restrictions, but if you have concerns about adequate nutrition for yourself during our retreat, the camp has provided use of their fridge and microwave to help us accommodate allergies, dietary restrictions, and food preferences. There is a large refrigerator in the dining area and a mini fridge in Grisham Hall available for our use. If you have dietary restrictions/restrictive diet or concerns about meals, please make sure you have adequate snacks/food/protein to sustain yourself throughout the day. Seven Star will also provide a variety of snacks (available 24/7 in in Grisham Hall). Coffee/tea service will also be available in Grisham Hall. NOTE: We cannot control the timing of meals at Camp Burton. They dictate our schedule with their designated meal times. We will be sharing the camp with another group. Plan accordingly.

45th ANNIVERSARY MERCH

45th Anniversary Merch is available! You can pre-order t-shirts, muscle shirts, hoodies, and track jackets with our new 45th anniversary crest design on the back. Sample track jackets are available on the rack in the changing room to try on for size. Pre-orders will close on Tuesday, August 18. Merch will be delivered to you at the retreat, or you can pick it up at the kwoon the week after the retreat. Depending on demand, some merch may be available for pickup sooner.

Registration Information

Registration covers two nights of accommodations, six meals, and incidental facility costs. This year, we are offering a tiered pricing structure as well as the option for installment payments.

Please consider donating to our scholarship fund to help keep our retreat financially accessible for all Seven Star students.

COST & PAYMENT

Solidarity Rate: $380
This rate covers the true cost of the retreat and supports our ability to offer both tiered rates and scholarships for the retreat.

Base rate: $340
This is the true cost of the retreat. This can be paid in full or in 3 monthly installments.

Reduced Rates:
Tier 1: $300
Tier 2: $250
Tier 3: $225
The reduced rates can be paid in full or in 3 monthly installments.

Scholarships:
There are a limited number of partial and full scholarships available by request.
This year, our partial scholarship is $145 Please email Sifu Gina at gina@sevenstarseattle.org to request a partial or full scholarship.