Touching the Earth
An outdoor retreat in the Dragoon Mountains, SE ArizonaFebruary 13 – 19
A Sky Mind Retreat
Cost: $450 - $320 (sliding scale)
Scholarships available.
Retreat Teacher: Susie Harrington
Cook: Jenn Knochel
Further Information:
Please feel free to contact the registrar Melanie Knapp at MK007.
Deposit due at registration: $150. Full payment due shortly thereafter (see below), or when admitted, whichever is later.
To reserve your place please complete the Online Registration Form and deposit.
Your registration will be considered complete and your space reserved when the form and your deposit have been received. You will receive a confirmation that you have a spot on the retreat within a week (sooner if we are available!). If you don’t receive a notification, please contact us.
Reservations are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. If the retreat is full, we will notify you that you have been placed on the waitlist. The deposit is refundable for those on the wait list.
The sliding fee reflects a minimum cost where the donations of contributors to Sky Mind allow for a lower fee, while the higher cost represents full cost of the retreat. A non-refundable deposit is due with your registration form.
In this era of Covid-19, a camping retreat is uniquely suited to allow for social distancing while still providing a wonderful retreat container. We have created detailed procedures and systems to allow for a smooth flowing and a safe retreat container. Please note, you will be required to get a Covid-19 test prior to leaving home. This is a requirement of the retreat center and is a condition of our using their facility. There is more information in the Covid-19 protocol document.
The Fine Print
Deposit
The $150 deposit, balance (per Payment below) and completed application form will reserve your place. The registrar will confirm your space. Reservations are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please fill out a separate form for each person. If the retreat is full, you'll be placed on a wait list. If that happens, don't be disheartened, as there will probably be cancellations. Only the deposit needs to be paid by those on the wait list, and is refundable if you don’t get in.
Payment
Due to the relatively short time until this retreat, and the different lodging options, payment due is slightly more complicated than some retreats.
• For everyone, the basic retreat cost is due at the time of registration, or ASAP if by check.
• For those who want indoor lodging, you will be notified of lodging availability on or before January 13th and asked to submit payment at that time.
• If you are registering after that date, we will let you know immediately if one of your choices of housing is available.
• Housing will be offered first come first served, with the exception that priority will be given in spaces that hold 2 people to 2 people who can safely house together. Otherwise it will be available for single occupancy.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
If SMR finds it necessary to cancel a trip due to under-enrollment or other unexpected conditions, your deposit and any payments on the balance of the fee will be returned.
We often have a waitlist; in order to respect those on the waitlist and to encourage timely cancellations, we have the following cancellation policy:
1. Cancellations received 45 days or more before the retreat: full refund less $150 deposit.
2. Cancellations 45 – 28 days before the retreat we will retrain 80% of the base fee ($240) and refund any payment above this amount
3. 28 days or less before retreat start, we will offer a refund of any payment above the base of the sliding scale ($320).
4. A full refund (minus credit card fees if you choose to pay by cc.) will be made if you cancel from the wait list.
Trip Insurance
You may wish to purchase trip insurance, available online, and at any travel agency. It will protect your investment in non-refundable costs if you have to cancel or if the retreat is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control. Cancellations for Covid-19 related issues are generally only covered in the ‘cancelation for any reason’ clause, so be sure if you choose to buy a policy that it includes this. Most policies also cover medical evacuation costs in case of sickness or injury - a good deal for travelers in remote locations.
Obligations of Retreat Applicants
This is a non-profit, cost-sharing retreat sponsored by Sky Mind Retreats. We will all be responsible for our own safety and the safety of the group in a remote setting. For this reason, please consider your physical condition. You will need to be able to take care of yourself, as well as be helpful to the group on a day-to-day basis. Because of the remoteness and in consideration of the other retreatants, we ask that you be in good health and physical condition adequate for the daily moderate exercise of primitive car camping. Please evaluate your circumstances and call or email if you are unsure of the appropriateness of this retreat for you. We want it to be accessible, and will work with you if your situation needs extra support.
You are expected to carefully review all information furnished, understanding that this is a meditation retreat rather than a recreational outing, requiring a commitment to noble silence and practice. Part of our practice will be to mindfully commit to non-harming, so that our impact on the environment is minimal and the rights and privacy of other retreatants are respected. All SMR events are strictly non-smoking. Alcohol and drugs are also not allowed.