Course Checklist

Arrival and Departure
Students should arrive between 3:00 and 5:00 pm on the day the course starts. The course will end at 7:00 am on the eleventh day. Returning students attending part-time who are arriving after the course has started must give a specific date and time of arrival to ensure someone will be available to greet them.

Please bring the following:

Clothing:
~ shirts
~ pants
~ socks
~ underwear
~ sweaters or other warm layers (as needed)
~ slippers or house shoes - optional (outside shoes should not be worn inside)

Bring enough comfortable, loose fitting clothing for ten days, as only minimal hand washing facilities are available. Temperatures range from 25°F (-5°C) to 60°F (15°C) with a good chance of rain from September through June, and from 45°F (7°C) to 85°F (30°C) during the summer. Dressing in layers is helpful for dealing with changing weather conditions. All indoor areas are heated to about 68 F.

All students should observe the rules for modest dress as outlined in the Code of Discipline. Shorts, tank tops, transparent, tight or revealing clothing, etc. are not permitted. Tights or leggings should be worn only under a mid-calf-length, loose-fitting skirt. Tights or leggings should not be worn as pants.

Outerwear:
~ warm jacket and/or raincoat
~ boots
~ gloves
~ warm hat (can be used during meditation)
~ umbrella

Participants must go outdoors several times a day to walk back and forth from the residences to the meditation hall and dining hall. The items above may not be needed during the summer months.

Meditation supplies:
~ meditation cushion and/or bench
~ meditation shawl or blanket - optional (separate from sleeping blankets)
~ small cushions for knees, etc. - optional

A limited supply of cushions is available, but please bring your own if possible. A floor mat will be provided for each student.

Bedding:
~ pillowcase
~ bottom sheet (please bring a bottom sheet for the mattress even if you will be using a sleeping bag)
~ sleeping bag and/or top sheet and warm blankets.

A bed with a mattress and pillow is provided for each student.

Personal items:
~ soap, shampoo, etc.
~ unscented deodorant
~ other toiletries (shaving and sanitary supplies, etc.)
Please avoid using items with strong scents or perfumes.
~ toothbrush and toothpaste
~ bath towel
~ hand towel
~ wash cloth
~ liquid laundry soap for handwashing - optional
~ flashlight

NOTE: It is especially important to bring your own bedding and towels.  We do have a limited supply for those who can not bring their own, or forget to do so, but it can be a lot of extra work for the center staff to wash such items between courses.  Please bring your own, if at all possible.

PLEASE NOTE: Students are asked not to bring any personal food, reading, or writing materials for use during the course. All cell phones, palm pilots, pagers and other communication devices will need to be checked in on the first day, and will not be returned until the course is over. (Do not plan to use your cell phone as an alarm clock.)

Emergency contact: In case of an emergency during a course, friends or family can call 360-978-5434 x.3 to leave a message for a participant. The message will be relayed promptly. If this number is not working, you can call the registrar at 360-350-1985.

Directions and transportation options