Two men grapple on a dark mat in the foreground, while a room with a closet and a ceiling fan is visible in the background.

Pilsen Defense & Access

LXCL:Enjoy the full program with access to all all mat seminars and hikes for a discounted price as a thank you for signing up, first!

Email List Early Registration  2026 Summer Retreat

LXCL:Access to all mat seminars and hikes!

2026 Summer Retreat

Hi First name, Thank you for registering for our event and supporting our cause. Your registration greatly helps our mission. 🚀 If you would like to contribute further, contact us to become a volunteer, or talk to your friends about our cause! Elias Cepeda pilsendefenseaccess@gmail.com

Join PDA’s 2026 Summer Retreat to pause, connect with new and old friends in nature and on the mats, and to learn while having a blast in a safe and beautiful environment! We will get together in Southern IL July 24-July 26. Registration fees will go to benefit Pilsen Defense &amp; Access, are tax-deductible, and cover all martial arts seminar and guided hike programming. Participants will arrange and pay for their travel and lodging and cost of their meals separately. Look below for some suggested hotels and travel options! Please use this page to purchase your spot at the 2026 Summer Retreat! We are keeping the group tiny and we're less than a month away so act fast if you're able and interested! Our email list group got early access to details and purchase. Sample Retreat Schedule (snacks and water provided by us, included in your registration fee, for training times and hikes). On Friday afternoon we will have open training and a team dinner. On Saturday and Sunday Elias Cepeda will teach two seminars each day for retreat attendees inside of Club Jiu-Jitsu, Foundation Chicago's Southern IL affiliate academy.  Elias began training Jiu-Jitsu while in high school back in 1999, competed in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) amateur competition for three years, is a first-degree black belt in BJJ under four-time world champion and undefeated UFC veteran Robert Drysdale, and is a co-founder and the head coach at Foundation Chicago.  <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1782684883/wysiwyg/rumwetenqdwksgjw8o5s.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;-webkit-user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> Our days will look something like this for the retreat, weather-permitting: Friday4pm Meet and Open Mat 6pm Team Dinner in Marion, IL <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1782684653/wysiwyg/lskucmdulot3kex0vfrf.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;-webkit-user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> Saturday8am-9:30am No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Seminar taught by Foundation Chicago Head Coach, MMA veteran, and first-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Elias Cepeda 10am Optional open sparring 12pm-:1:30pm No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Seminar w/ Elias 1:30pm Optional open sparring 5pm Ferne Clyffe State Park hike <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1782683992/wysiwyg/lihytqor1t2h4ejpzkbm.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;-webkit-user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /> Sunday8am-9:30am No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Seminar w/ Elias  10am Optional open sparring 12pm-:1:30pm MMA Fundamentals Seminar w/ Elias 1:30pm Optional open sparring 3pm Range Time** (**Gun range time is an additional charge so if you're interested in that, let us know and we'll send you that info!**)  5:30pm Bell Smith Springs hike <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1782684003/wysiwyg/vv6d9gopmylxgtug5e3o.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;-webkit-user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" />-- All sessions are optional so feel free to come when you're able, and leave when you need to, and take extra rest when you need! TravelMarion, IL has an airport that receives and sends flights from and to Chicago's O'Hare Airport. The flight to and from Chicago from that airport is usually around 45 minutes long, in our experience. To explore flight options into <a href="https://veteransairport.com" target="_blank">Marion, IL visit here.</a> Carbondale, IL is nearby and has an Amtrak train station. You can look at the Carbondale, IL Amtrak station's page <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/stations/cdl" target="_blank">to explore those options, here. </a> Lodging There are many, many options available in Carbondale, Marion, and nearby towns like Carterville, Herrin, Murphysboro, and more, but here are a few spots to help your search! Carbondale <a href="https://www.guestreservations.com/hampton-inn-carbondale/booking?booknow&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=973003610&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=973003610&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADiMQMYTnBwefGq5QodIqPI4O3-gV&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIPSBhCCARIsABGyK7tmn4K8863wLBt9vHXLFxpKgMXLtif5GlqJhvtpMeV5F3wOpPZuJxsaAkRpEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Hampton Inn &amp; Suites</a> <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/locations/usa/illinois/carbondale/home2-suites/?WT.mc_id=zlada0ww1ht2psh3ggl4advbpp5dkt6multibr7_153677698_1003528&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22469655990&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADOgslStLJvkyUFZyPxaznXz7rwq5&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIPSBhCCARIsABGyK7s5GYMVq4uS7Cen5fyYTG9oG-mH4LpNxZy1gGOMR2oLpeehQmtjxc8aAsVAEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Home2Suites</a> <a href="https://comfortinncarbondale.bookonline.com/hotel/comfort-inn-&amp;-suites---carbondale---il?hid=148382&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=14390331795&amp;gbraid=0AAAAABov2PaR-ncPJ0ospd2MVokPRPHsy&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIPSBhCCARIsABGyK7tgTjQgJDc2aipTImZWgrfN9wpao-OUCkbxLaYLBny3RXW9vRHjbNMaAuLkEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Comfort Inn &amp; Suites</a> Marion<a href="https://comfortinncarbondale.bookonline.com/hotel/comfort-inn-&amp;-suites---carbondale---il?hid=148382&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=14390331795&amp;gbraid=0AAAAABov2PaR-ncPJ0ospd2MVokPRPHsy&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIPSBhCCARIsABGyK7tgTjQgJDc2aipTImZWgrfN9wpao-OUCkbxLaYLBny3RXW9vRHjbNMaAuLkEALw_wcB" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.druryhotels.com/locations/marion-il/drury-inn-and-suites-marion?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;sisearchengine=1743&amp;siproduct=google_brand&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=229284603&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD_pTx0qI-zMb6kCGjl3KLV9jpl7J&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIPSBhCCARIsABGyK7vU-MjI377o5KfxokuTZ5w2hPiyfi_9M0Y06Fl9kHKMEKXja7zMco8aAtm8EALw_wcB" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.druryhotels.com/locations/marion-il/drury-inn-and-suites-marion?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;sisearchengine=1743&amp;siproduct=google_brand&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=229284603&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD_pTx0qI-zMb6kCGjl3KLV9jpl7J&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIPSBhCCARIsABGyK7vU-MjI377o5KfxokuTZ5w2hPiyfi_9M0Y06Fl9kHKMEKXja7zMco8aAtm8EALw_wcB" target="_blank">Drury Inn &amp; Suites</a> <a href="https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/find-hotels/select-roomrate?fromRedirect=true&amp;qSrt=sAV&amp;qIta=99636924&amp;icdv=99636924&amp;glat=META&amp;qSlH=MDHMB&amp;qRms=1&amp;qAdlt=2&amp;qChld=0&amp;qCiD=23&amp;qCiMy=072026&amp;qCoD=24&amp;qCoMy=072026&amp;qrtPt=110.00&amp;setPMCookies=true&amp;qSlRc=TSTN&amp;qRtP=IDAP2&amp;qSHBrC=EX&amp;qDest=120%20Muddy%20Monster%20Road,%20Murphysboro,%20IL,%20US&amp;partnerVerification=false&amp;channel=promotedhotels&amp;userSelectedRatePlan=TSTNIDAP2&amp;userBookingWindow=56&amp;hmGUID=46593098-d333-4b75-b9fe-e810f583a32d&amp;clk_src=tpa&amp;isHotelCampaign=true&amp;partnerRateShown=110.00&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD4keY9UagjjottjeZo1eurxI4s1U&amp;partnerDateType=default&amp;mktgvar=hpa_paid_US_desktop_MDHMB_localuniversal_1_USD_2026-08-23_default_23797946351__FALSE_TSTNIDAP2&amp;userCountryCode=US&amp;partnerTotalRateShown=121.00&amp;userDeviceType=desktop&amp;adjustMonth=true&amp;partnerClickType=hotel&amp;partnerCurrencyCode=USD&amp;partnerAdSite=localuniversal&amp;trso=MT_Google_MDHMB_US_SP&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIPSBhCCARIsABGyK7uK2VBcHIJqVxCG11h-gCLLu0692c7niNRJXVAAWinBG1qXLH1cGDAaAsMfEALw_wcB&amp;cm_mmc=hpa_paid_SPON_ES_MDHMB_desktop&amp;partnerAdType=paid&amp;srb_u=1" target="_blank">Holiday Inn &amp; Suites</a><a href="https://hotelguides.com/travel/hotel/278413.html?googleCampaignId=21334364801&amp;googleAdGroupId=163822415758&amp;googleAdId=707778134127&amp;keyword=comfort%20inn%20in%20marion%20illinois&amp;matchType=b&amp;googleKeywordId=&amp;adExtensionId=&amp;network=g&amp;adPosition=&amp;deviceType=c&amp;physicalLocation=1016344&amp;interestLocation=&amp;targetId=kwd-492368262674&amp;placement=&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21334364801&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA9mw6kClGVN9PfEKA6a-nSwwxs4PQ&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIPSBhCCARIsABGyK7sIz4CvYfcfe6YKJCkIPWITjow0YT5qkh9DEacuQxxwuKXrh9lgowkaAp_EEALw_wcB" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://hotelguides.com/travel/hotel/278413.html?googleCampaignId=21334364801&amp;googleAdGroupId=163822415758&amp;googleAdId=707778134127&amp;keyword=comfort%20inn%20in%20marion%20illinois&amp;matchType=b&amp;googleKeywordId=&amp;adExtensionId=&amp;network=g&amp;adPosition=&amp;deviceType=c&amp;physicalLocation=1016344&amp;interestLocation=&amp;targetId=kwd-492368262674&amp;placement=&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21334364801&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA9mw6kClGVN9PfEKA6a-nSwwxs4PQ&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwjIPSBhCCARIsABGyK7sIz4CvYfcfe6YKJCkIPWITjow0YT5qkh9DEacuQxxwuKXrh9lgowkaAp_EEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Comfort Inn &amp; Suites</a> Carterville <a href="https://www.walkersbluffcasinoresort.com/hotel.html" target="_blank">Walkers Bluff Casino &amp; Hotel</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1782685125/wysiwyg/q5yzhyn3zaqelaslzflq.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;-webkit-user-select:none;position:relative;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" />

Pilsen Defense & Access

2026 Summer Retreat!

Marion

2026 Summer Retreat

$350

Email List Early Registration 2026 Summer Retreat

$300

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