COVID Safety Protocols

Effective June 5, 2023

On June 5, Spirit Rock implemented the following important, new updates to our COVID-19 safety protocols:

For Residential Retreats

• Masking: Optional for all participants, staff, and teachers, attending a residential retreat. If you choose to mask, any masking type will be allowed. Please bring your own supply of masks.
• Vaccination: All staff, teachers, and practitioners must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, which includes at least one booster. If you have not received at least one COVID-19 booster since your first COVID vaccination, you will need to have a booster before you attend retreat. The first booster must have been received no less than two weeks (14 days) prior to the retreat start date. Any FDA-approved booster is acceptable. If you have had more than one booster, in addition to your first COVID-19 vaccination, you are fine to attend regardless of the timing of the boosters. Proof of vaccination with booster(s) will be required. Individuals will not be admitted to the retreat if not "fully vaccinated."
• Negative COVID test: All practitioners must arrive with proof (picture or actual test) of a same-day negative antigen test that they have taken prior to arrival. Practitioners who do not arrive with a negative test will be given one prior to admittance. Individuals will not be admitted to the retreat if the test result is positive for COVID-19. Spirit Rock will administer a second test to everyone on day four or five for all retreats that are seven nights or longer. Anyone who tests positive at that time will need to exit the retreat.

For Non-residential Programs (in our Community Meditation Center)

• Masking: Optional for all participants, staff, and teachers, attending a non-residential program. If you choose to mask, any masking type will be allowed. Please bring your own supply of masks.
• Vaccination: Not required; vaccination + booster (at least 1) strongly encouraged.
• Negative COVID Test: Not required; same-day COVID testing strongly encouraged.

Additional Safety Protocols

• Ventilation/Air Filtration: We have upgraded air filtration in all the meditation halls, and have provided small air purifiers in all dorm rooms and public spaces.
• Surface Cleaning: Sanitizing of all high-touch areas is done frequently and hand sanitizing stations have been placed in convenient locations across campus.
• Dining: We have additional indoor and outdoor seating options for dining. We’ve added more tents with heaters to our outside dining space and have air filters in the dining hall as well. Typically, our opening night supper is a time for conversation and community connection. However, to minimize aerosolized particles and promote greater safety for all practitioners, retreats will begin with noble silence at the first meal and continue through the end of the retreat. We have extended the buffet time to 45 minutes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We ask that retreatants practice mindfulness while eating and not linger in the dining hall.
• Physical Distancing in Meditation Hall: Cushions and chairs will be arranged to maintain physical distancing in the meditation hall.
• Symptom Check: All practitioners, staff, and teachers will receive a symptom checklist and thermometers are located in the shared restrooms. All practitioners are to monitor their symptoms daily and notify a staff member if their symptoms indicate COVID-19.
• Sick Policy: If a practitioner or teacher becomes sick, they will be asked to remain in their room, and if serious, return home. We will also ask them to take an antigen self-test onsite, and if they test positive for COVID-19, they must exit the retreat.

Caring for the Community

Spirit Rock welcomes people from around the U.S. and the world to participate in our retreats and programs. Our intention is to include as many people as possible. We have chosen to require COVID-19 vaccination + booster for our residential retreats but not our non-residential programs. This is not a decision we have made lightly. It reflects our obligation to keep our workplace and practice spaces as safe as possible.

If you are not vaccinated + boosted, we invite you to participate in our non-residential programs and online retreats to deepen your practice and connect with our community.

If you have any questions, please contact us at srmc@spiritrock.org. Thank you for your practice and dedication to Spirit Rock.

Upcoming In-person Retreats with Space Available

December

January

February

View Full On-Land Retreat Calendar

Cancellation Policy for Standard Residential Retreats*

Standard Cancellation Fees:

• $100 On or before 8 weeks
• $175 4–8 weeks before
• $300 2–4 weeks before
• No refunds as of 2 weeks before 

Scholarship Rates (and Retreat Commuter) Cancellation Fees:

• $75 On or before 8 weeks
• $100 4–8 weeks before
• $200 2–4 weeks before
• No refunds as of 2 weeks before

* Fees reduced for serious illness or death in family

Please note: The Cancellation Policy for the Monthlong retreats is unique to those retreats. In general, the fees are much higher. Refer to the website or to your confirmation email for the specific policy.