Hosted by Blackout and New York AI

Sabbath

A screen-free weekend in the woods.

Spring 2027 · Catskill Mountains, New York · ~20 people

An autumn river beneath wooded hills and a cloudy sky

Join us for a weekend at a lodge in the Catskills. We'll meet in New York City and drive up together.

Think summer camp meets a meditation retreat.

When we arrive, we'll put our phones in a box. It's easier to step away when we do it together. We can stop negotiating with ourselves, and have more time to connect with each other.

We're planning activities with music, movement, hiking, books, and conversation. You can join in or take time on your own.

— Derek & Alex

A group sharing lunch and conversation around a blue table on a porch; edited image study

Taking the weekend off, together

What we put down

  • Phones and laptops.
  • Talking about work.
  • Alcohol and substances.

What we pick up

  • Home-cooked meals.
  • Time outside.
  • Connection and rest.

Fall 2026

Fall signups are closed.

The waitlist for Spring Sabbath is open.

How this started

Over the past year, more than 50 people gave up news, social media, and current events for 30 days through Blackout.

Alex led the group gatherings. Participants loved them, and wanted more time with each other in person. This weekend grew out of that, and Alex, a clinical psychologist, will be facilitating.

The details

When
Spring 2027.
Where
Blue Deer Center in the Catskill Mountains, New York. ~3 hours from NYC.
Price
TBD. Includes meals cooked on site by a private chef, lodging, activities, snacks, and transportation to and from NYC.
The blue-shingled lodge tower standing among the trees
A woman laughing with one leg kicked high in front of a white teepee painted with blue deer; edited image study
Someone wrapped in a blanket with a mug, sitting beyond a campfire at dusk
Two twin beds, a wicker chair and a lamp in a pink shared room
A woman in a shawl sitting on a rock beside the creek; edited image study
A leaf-covered lane beside an old stone wall, under trees turning in autumn

Atmosphere Studies

Questions you may have

Who’s coming?

We're bringing together people from the 30-day Blackout cohorts, the New York AI community, and friends we think would enjoy each other. You don’t need to have taken part before, and you’re welcome to come on your own.

Is this a religious thing?

No, but we’ve taken some inspiration from the day of rest. One of my closest friends lives in a predominantly Hasidic Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn, and when I visit during Shabbat, it feels as if the whole neighborhood is out on the streets, the sidewalks, and balconies. The joy, playfulness, and contentment is infectious. We’d like to bring some of that spirit to the weekend.

Are there scholarships available?

Yes. If money is a barrier to joining, email scholarship@newyorkai.org. We have a couple of scholarship spots available.

How do we get there?

We’ll have shuttles leaving from NYC on Friday morning, and arriving back on Sunday evening. You are welcome to drive or carpool on your own as well. The venue is ~3 hours from NYC.

What’s the housing situation?

We rented the entire retreat center and property. Some people will have a room to themselves; others will share with one roommate, depending on the final group size. If you’d like to share with a partner or friend, let us know. Otherwise, if you’re sharing, we’ll pair you with someone of the same gender.

What if someone needs to reach me?

We’ll share a phone number before the weekend. Someone on our team will be available to pass along urgent messages.

Someone in an Adirondack chair at the edge of the meadow

Spring 2027

Join us in the Catskills.

Be the first to hear when Spring Sabbath opens.