Information for Program Participants and Other Visitors

General Environment and Accommodations, Medical Information, Code of Conduct	Registration Registration, Arrival/Departure, Your Expenses, Internships, Work-Study & Scholarships
What to Bring What to Bring, Communications, Rotating Work Assignments, Advance Luggage & Mail	Transportation General Transportation Information, Flying, Driving, Bus, From Boulder, From Denver International Airport to Boulder

General

Environment and Accommodations:

Shambhala Mountain Center is in northern Colorado, situated in mountain valley of pine forests and alpine meadows at an elevation of eight thousand feet. We offer a wide variety of courses in Buddhist meditation, yoga, contemplative arts, and outdoor adventures. The climate is generally dry in the summer, although rainstorms and even hail do pass through, often in the afternoon. Summer days are usually sunny and warm, but it cools down quickly at sundown. The temperature may drop more than thirty degrees Fahrenheit by midnight, and it may drop below freezing at any time of the year.

Because of the abundant sunlight and high elevation, we suggest taking precautions against dehydration, altitude sickness, and ultraviolet rays. Please drink more water than you think you need, wear sunscreen, and prepare for our changeable weather by wearing layers of clothing. Depending on the type of accommodation you have chosen, you may be hiking on uneven terrain for much of your stay here. Please be sure to read the What to Bring section below so that you can prepare to come with what you will need for the duration of your stay.

Medical Information:

It is very important that you let the Shambhala Mountain Center staff know of any medical condition(s) that may affect your stay while you are attending a program here. In particular, let us know of any medications that you will be taking. Please ensure that you have enough medication for the duration of your stay; the closest pharmacies are an hour away. It is imperative that you do not alter your medication dosages without your physician's approval. Please note that if you have asthma, it can become more aggravated at this altitude. If you use asthma medication, be sure to bring along more than you would normally require (at least half again of your usual amount).

The altitude and environment at Shambhala Mountain Center can be physically demanding and may aggravate other otherwise stabilized medical conditions. With professional medical care more than an hour away, please take the necessary precautions to look after your physical well-being. If you have any specific concerns regarding how this environment may affect your health, please consult your physician before your program begins. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Shambhala Mountain Center Code of Conduct:

Please, no illegal drugs. Possession of drugs is not only disrespectful to the view inherent in all activities at Shambhala Mountain Center, but it is illegal and potentially harmful to not only yourself, but to the Center itself. Anyone possessing and/or using illegal drugs will be asked to leave the land, no second chances.
Please, no firearms.
Please leave your vehicle off the land in the designated parking lot. If you have a special need requiring use of your vehicle, please contact us.
Please, no pets.
Please, no amplified music. Music is only allowed on certain occasions.
Please, no drinking in public. Alcoholic beverages are allowed only on certain occasions sponsored by Shambhala Mountain Center. Underage drinking is not tolerated at any time.
Please observe posted speed limits when on the land.
Please do not litter.
Please do not smoke, except in designated fire-safe areas. Fieldstrip cigarettes.
Please do not stray from marked trails and roads. The land is fragile.

Registration

A 50% deposit is required upon registration for programs of four nights or longer in all accommodation types. For shorter programs, full payment is required upon registration. Once you pay the amount due on-line, you are considered registered. If you are paying by check, you are considered registered when we receive your check. If we do not receive your check within two weeks, your registration will be cancelled. Call (970) 881–2184 ext. 236 with your credit card or debit card information to complete your registration.

Our preferred method of payment is by credit card or debit card. We also accept checks or money orders in U.S. funds. Generally for programs that required a deposit, the final payment is due 30 days prior to the start of the program. We do not guarantee your space or housing request if your balance due is not paid in full at least 30 days prior to arrival. If you paid your deposit with a credit card, we will automatically charge that card for the balance due 30 days prior to arrival. Some programs have unique payment schedules that supersede this general payment policy; please review the program registration page on our web site.

GENERAL CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel your reservation more than 14 days prior to arrival, you will receive a full refund less a $50 processing fee. If you cancel 2 to 14 days prior to arrival, we will hold your payment, less a $50 processing fee, for up to one year for you to use toward another program at Shambhala Mountain Center. No refunds or credits will be issued for cancellations received less than 48 hours prior to arrival. Certain programs have unique cancellation policies that supersede our general policy, and they are described on the program registration page on our web site.

Arrival/Departure Days:

Your program's arrival and departure days are listed on the registration page. Please plan to arrive no later than 5:00pm on arrival day. You may arrive before your designated arrival day or depart after departure day provided that we have space; please make such arrangements in advance. The fee for each extra night will depend on your housing choice.

Planning Your Expenses:

If your program will be serving meals Zen-style (for Dathün, Shambhala Sutrayana Seminary, and Shambhala Vajrayana Seminary), you will need an oryoki set. These can be rented from Shambhala Mountain Center for $15/week, plus a $50 refundable deposit. Please call us ahead of time at ext. 232 if you wish to rent or purchase a set.

Commercial laundry service will be available only for programs longer than two weeks. The flat fee for this service is $30, which includes a laundry bag. There are no laundry facilities available at the Center.

Other expenses to consider include the shuttle fare from Denver International Airport to Fort Collins ($32 each way, paid to the driver) and Shambhala Mountain Center travel service between Fort Collins and the Center ($40 each way), as well as any items that you might wish to purchase at our Gift Store over the course of your stay.

All payments to Shambhala Mountain Center should be made in U.S. funds via cash, check, Visa or MasterCard, traveler's check, or money order payable on a U.S. bank. We charge $20 for handling any checks returned unpaid. While we do accept American Express, we prefer payment by Visa or MasterCard, and we do not accept Discover. Our Finance Office can cash checks and give credit card cash advances. All credit card cash advances are subject to a 3% surcharge.

Internships, Work Exchange & Scholarships:

A limited number of partial scholarships are available for many of our programs. Scholarships are awarded based primarily on financial need. To apply for a scholarship, please scroll to the bottom of the registration page for your particular program and complete the scholarship application. Please apply for scholarships at least 30 days in advance of the start of your program. No applications will be accepted within 14 days of the start date. Note: Scholarships for Courageous Women, Fearless Living: A Retreat for Women Touched by Cancer use a different application process.

If you are in need of financial assistance, please consider enrolling in our primary internship programs: Spring Set-Up and Fall Take-Down. We offer $100 of program credit for each week of Set-Up or Take-Down worked. You can learn more about these opportunities and register on this web site.

In addition to Spring Set-Up and Fall Take-Down, there are summer and year-round volunteer staff positions that may provide a small stipend, program credit, and room and board in exchange for volunteering. For example, in the summer we offer many three to five months positions, which include program credit or a small stipend, the opportunity to live on the land and participate in the community, take Buddhist studies staff classes, and participate in weekend programs as availability and schedules permit. If you are interested in this type of work exchange opportunity, please go to our Staffing Opportunities page or contact our Human Resources department at hr@shambhalamountain.org.

You are strongly encouraged to consider other sources of funding you may need to attend a program, such as borrowing from a friend, a relative, or the Ashoka Credit Union at (303) 444–9003 or ashokacu@indra.com. The credit union makes loans for practice programs to qualified applicants.

What to Bring

A flashlight w/spare batteries.
Your own meditation cushions (summer programs only; international travelers excepted). If you do not own meditation cushions, we recommend Samadhi Cushions at samadhicushions.com or (800) 331–7751. For off-season programs (September through May), you do not need to bring your own cushions, but may do so if you prefer.
If you have selected dorm or tent housing, warm bedding such as blankets or sleeping bags suitable for below-freezing temperatures, pillow with case and twin- size sheets. Couples or parents with small children may prefer to bring king-size sheets for putting beds together in tents.
Clothing appropriate for practice, work, and play. You will need layered clothing as the temperature changes quite dramatically over the course of a day. A hooded windbreaker, hat (for both sun and cold), gloves, rain gear, and warm layers are all nice to have on hand. You may also want to have one or two dressy outfits for social events.
Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes. We recommend warm, water-resistant, over- the-ankle boots. You will be doing a lot of walking over rough ground in a variety of weather conditions. As we require shoes off indoors, it is also preferable to have shoes that can slip off and on easily.
A shawl or blanket, and slippers or thick socks for cool mornings in the meditation hall.
A poncho (summer), coat and snow boots (winter).
Toiletries (including sunscreen, lip balm, lotion) and towels.
A battery-powered alarm clock.
A daypack to hold the things you will want to have with you over the course of each day.
A water bottle.
Money for laundry fee (programs longer than two weeks only); a prepaid phone or calling card (may be purchased in our Gift Store); and Gift Store books, snacks, toiletries, practice materials, cards, clothing, and gifts.

Communications:

You can expect to enjoy simplicity and nature while at the Center. Cell phones do not work here, and there is limited access to the Internet primarily for email. A few public phones available. You will need a calling card, available for purchase at the Center, to make long-distance phone calls.

Please make arrangements for communications you must have. Your family and friends can leave messages by calling (970) 881–2184 ext. 0 during the day; emergency calls must be identified as such by the caller in order to be handled urgently. Emergency messages can also be faxed to (970) 881–2909, where they will be picked up daily.

Rotating Work Assignments:

One of the ways we practice mindfulness and celebrate community at the Center is through rotating work assignments, or rota. No matter our responsibility or position, we all take turns cleaning up after each other and ourselves through rota. Rota is the ground and basis of contemplative community life, and it may be a part of your program. If you have special needs or concerns regarding rota, please contact us.

Advance Luggage & Mail:

Use UPS or FedEx when shipping bulky items to Shambhala Mountain Center. Your name and program name, as well as your mailing address, should be posted on these packages. Please do not forward your bills, magazines or any other mail to Shambhala Mountain Center. If you will be here for a long program, you should ask a relative or friend to package your mail and send it to you periodically.

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