Lodging
There are four cabins with three to six rooms, a mix of private and shared rooms, shared bathrooms, and a small tea area with a small refrigerator that is for medications only. There is no food allowed in the cabins. There is a small refrigerator in the Dining Hall for personal food items, and drawers for dry foods. Please label your personal items. There is a luggage rack and a small clothes-hanging area or dresser in your room. Shoes are not allowed in cabins and the Meditation Hall. Most rooms offer direct outdoor access with sliding doors and screens. Please make sure doors are fully closed at all times to help keep wildlife out. It is not uncommon to cross paths with local wildlife while on our trails, so please be aware and mindful of your steps. Please do not interact with or feed any wildlife. Big Springs is on a septic system. We appreciate your help to maintain its efficiency. Please do not flush anything other than toilet paper. Please be as sparing as is hygienic in your use of toilet paper.
While you are on retreat at Big Springs, we would greatly appreciate your effort to conserve water, such as taking shorter showers, bringing your own water bottle for hydration, turning off running water whenever possible, and reporting any issues with the facilities as soon as possible.
Food
Meals are provided and served for all guests at the Dining Hall. The Retreat Chef provides three freshly prepared, healthful, nourishing and supportive vegetarian meals a day - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals for retreats are generally a light breakfast, heavier lunch, and light dinner to support the rhythm of practice and retreat. The kitchen uses fresh, organic, and local ingredients when possible. The kitchen also offers additional snacks in the afternoon. Coffee is served daily at breakfast. There is a small refrigerator in the Dining Hall for personal food items. There is no food allowed in the cabins.
Due to our remote location, we source our sustainable and seasonal ingredients at least a week in advance which means that it is hard to accommodate last minute changes. Please ensure your dietary restrictions are up to date before arriving at the center – at least one week prior to your arrival. We ask that you not change your dietary plan after the retreat has started, unless it is absolutely necessary. This helps our chefs adequately prepare, accommodate, and nourish everyone.