What to Know Before Your Retreat
We’re delighted you’ve signed up for a retreat!
To ensure your stay is as comfortable as it can be, we offer these “helpful things to know” ahead of your arrival.
How do I get to the retreat?
This retreat is held at Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island on the West Coast of British Columbia.
Stowel Lake Farm is located at 190 Reynolds Road, Salt Spring Island, BC
1) Get to Victoria, BC (Victoria International Airport—YYJ) OR Vancouver, BC (Vancouver International Airport—YVR)
2) Get from Victoria or Vancouver to a ferry terminal
- From Victoria take transport to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal
- From Vancouver take transport to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal
3) Take the ferry to Fulford Harbor on Salt Spring Island (http://bcferries.com/) (From Vancouver – you can take the “thru-fare to Swartz Bay and then on to Fulford Harbour)
ARRIVAL – The center offers one shuttle on the day of your arrival. The shuttle pickup matches with the ferry arriving at 3:35pm at Fulford Harbour (on Salt Spring Island). The pickup will be approx. 10 min. after the ferry unloads to avoid traffic. If you would like the shuttle please email support@jenniferraye.com at least 2 weeks before the retreat. Late requests cannot be accommodated.
If you are arriving at a different ferry terminal, or at a different time than the shuttle, you are responsible for making your own way to the retreat center. You can do this by either driving, or by walking on the ferry and booking a taxi on the Salt Spring side.
DEPARTURE – At the end of the retreat there is one shuttle available to return to Fulford Harbour to catch the 1:50pm ferry to Swartz Bay. Return bookings will be arranged during your time on retreat.
** While you are attending the retreat, other transportation around Salt Spring Island is not provided by the Farm.
If you would like to fly directly to Salt Spring Island, you can take a floatplane (Harbour Air Seaplanes, SeaAir Seaplanes) from Vancouver to Ganges Harbour on Salt Spring Island. When you arrive in Ganges harbour (Salt Spring Island) you can either take a taxi to the center or the center may be able to arrange a shuttle pickup for you.
Please email support@jenniferraye.com if you can drive others or you would like a ride.
When is check-in and check-out?
Check-in time on arrival day is between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. All guests need to check in even those staying offsite. Please plan to arrive by 5:00 p.m. so you have time to settle in before our 5:30 p.m. orientation and dinner at 6:00 p.m. After dinner, we’ll meet in the yoga practice room for our first group practice.
Please plan to attend the entire retreat and refrain from leaving during the retreat. Partial attendance, late arrival, or early departure (unless specifically allowed, or because of an emergency) is not permissible.
Check-out is after lunch, around 1 pm, on the last day of the retreat. Guests need to be out of rooms before 10am and must depart the retreat by 1:30 pm.
What happens when I arrive?
Once you arrive, exhale. You’ll see signs when you arrive that direct you to the registration table in the main courtyard or dining hall. We’ll help you find your lodging. And then? Kick back, walk around, relax some more, breathe in the fresh air, and begin dropping into retreat! Right before dinner, we will gather together for a brief orientation, and then after a delicious meal, we’ll meet again in the practice room for some movement and meditation.
I'm coming for a yoga retreat - Do I need to bring my own mat and props?
We have plenty of mats, blankets, blocks, supports, and belts. If you’d like to bring your yoga mat, feel free. If you have extra room for a yoga blanket or bolster, it is appreciated, but not mandatory. If you can’t travel with a mat, don’t worry – we have plenty and can provide you with one.
Retreat Format
On the first evening of your retreat, you will receive a schedule for the weekend. Every day will include vegetarian meals, free time, yoga, meditation, and workshop time with Jennifer Raye.
SOCIAL SILENCE: The time after evening practice (bedtime) and before morning practice (early morning), you will be asked to remain in silence. This offers a unique and precious chance to slow down and simplify, gather the mind, and develop an internal focus. To facilitate this process, participants are expected to follow these guidelines with genuine care and mindfulness. If this practice is new to you, please don’t worry! Further explanation will be provided on the evening of your arrival. We promise that you will be supported and find this practice easy to adopt.
What should I pack?
The climate of the Pacific Northwest coast of BC can be variable. Bring a variety of casual clothing, including items suitable for rain and chilly nights (such as t-shirts, yoga pants, and light daytime attire), as well as a warm sweater. There will be no opportunity to leave the retreat site or purchase goods once you arrive.
There are no laundry facilities available to guests. There are hairdryers in all bathrooms.
THINGS TO PACK:
- Sturdy walking shoes (running shoes are fine) and waterproof shoes if you’d like.
- Comfortable slip-on shoes and socks for easy removal when in buildings
- Alarm clock and/or watch
- Flashlight
- Bath towel if you’re camping
- Comfortable clothing for yoga
- Water bottle
- Earplugs and an eye mask, if needed, for sound sleep.
- All toiletries
- Journal and pen
- Rain gear and sun hat
- Cash for private sessions, the farm stand and gratuities.
PLEASE DO NOT PACK: Pets, radios, alcohol, illegal drugs. Smoking/vaping is not permitted on most of the grounds. Please let your retreat leader know if you require a smoking area. Guests are requested to refrain from using strongly scented or perfumed products. Open flames are not permitted in any of the accommodations. Please do not burn candles or incense in your room. While having things go missing is rare, we are not liable for lost or stolen items. If you have concerns about specific items, please leave them at home.
Rooms and Linens
Towels and down bedding are supplied for those staying in rooms and yurts. Campers are responsible for providing their tents and necessities, including all linens and towels. If you are allergic to down, please inform us, and we can replace it with hypoallergenic bedding.
Meals
Delicious, healthy vegetarian meals featuring farm-grown organic produce will be provided throughout our time together. Meals are served buffet style, so you can choose what you want to eat. There are gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options at all meals. High-quality tea, dairy, and non-dairy milk are available. Coffee is served at breakfast only. Please observe posted meal times. Between meals, a fruit bowl, toast, rice cakes, and nut butter are available. You will be fed extremely well while on retreat, so unless you need something very specific for your diet, it’s not necessary to bring food. There is a fridge available for any extra food/drinks you bring to the farm.
If you have specific dietary requirements, we can accommodate you – please email us at least 2 weeks before your retreat.
Anaphylactic Allergies – If you have noted a severe anaphylactic allergy on your intake form, the kitchen will contact you directly by email. You must bring your own medicine/EpiPen to the retreat.
Celiacs – Gluten is used in moderation in the kitchen; therefore, we cannot guarantee zero cross-contamination for anyone with gluten allergies, such as celiac disease. The kitchen does not use certified gluten-free ingredients.
Nut and Seed Allergies – The kitchen uses tree nuts, peanut butter, and seeds, including sesame seeds and tahini. These are served separately; however, we cannot guarantee zero cross-contamination with these allergens. The kitchen cannot serve anyone who is anaphylactic to sesame and certain nuts.
Communication and Telephone
To facilitate a deep inward process, we HIGHLY recommend planning not to use your phone or the internet for the 4 days of the retreat. There is WIFI throughout the Farm, but no cellular service. This means that you will not be able to make phone calls on your cell phone using the cell phone network; however, you can make voice calls via a Wi-Fi connection if absolutely necessary.
If you need to be contacted in case of an emergency, please use the office number 250-653-4308.
Booking Appointments
Jennifer will be available for a limited number of acupuncture, holistic nutrition, therapeutic yoga, or herbal medicine consults. Space is limited.
Payment for sessions can be made after the retreat via e-transfer or online credit card payment.
Please email support@jenniferraye.com to hold your spot.
Other Info
Emergencies – In the event of an emergency, please advise any Stowel Lake Farm employee and/or your retreat leader. There is also a house phone available in the Barn 24 hours a day. First aid kits are available if needed. Fire extinguishers are in all buildings. In case of a serious emergency, please meet in the courtyard between the Barn and the Village buildings.
Hazards/Darkness – Please be cautious around the farm and come prepared for an outdoor environment. Some paths are uneven or slippery, and certain areas may not be well-lit. There are occasional power outages. Please ensure you bring your flashlight.
Noise – The farm is alive with the sound of birds in the early morning and frogs in the evening. If you are sensitive to noise while sleeping, please bring your earplugs. Please also be mindful of your noise and the potential impact on others.
Gratuities – The Stowel Lake Farm team accepts gratuities on behalf of housekeeping, kitchen and facility staff. All gratuities are pooled amongst the staff, but if you would like to leave a message for a particular staff member, we will be sure to pass that on. You’ll find an envelope in your room if you wish to provide a gratuity.
We look forward to welcoming you on retreat!
Please email us at support@jenniferraye.com with any questions you have.