About Blue Deer

Located in the New York Catskills, Blue Deer Center is situated on 93 acres of sacred land long recognized as an important place of conflict resolution by the Haudenosaunee People, who used this area for summer hunting. The center is surrounded by the calming presence of the mountains and the river of peace (Saskawhihiwine). 

Blue Deer as a social benefit 501 (c) (3) organization, operates thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, donors, staff and community. We opened our doors to welcome participants for the first time in 2005. The center is made up of two houses that include a small dining room, sitting room, simple dorm style accommodations for 33 guests, commercial kitchen, Huichol Art Project Boutique and an outdoor porch. On the grounds there are two gathering spaces: a Fire Tent and a Yurt.

The turbulence of modern times has depleted our spirits. Blue Deer’s programs offer the spiritual benefits of nature and the healing of wisdom traditions that have been forgotten. People come from all over the world to immerse in our programs  – a place to take a pause from the struggle of everyday life to restore, connect with our spirits, and ultimately find balance in our lives by reawakening our deepest knowing of nature. At Blue Deer we have hosted more than 17 elders from around the world – wisdom traditions such as the Turtle Clan, Arhuaco, Xané, Mohawk, Cherokee, Vedic, Dagara, Huichol (Wixarika), Nahua- Weather Workers, Bon, and Oglala Lakota.