Program Participant Information

We highly suggest you stay onsite to get the full experience of the retreat center.
Location: 412 Glimmerglen Road, Cooperstown, New York 13326 - Map it!

Optional Local Hotels and Camping

Acknowledgement of Hazards

Cancellation Policy

Seminar registration will be accepted with the required deposit and will be completed upon full payment. Final payment is due approximately two weeks before the start of your program (check the website description for exact date). Because many expenses must be incurred before programs start, full payment in advance is always appreciated if you can manage it. We cannot guarantee your space if full payment is not received by the deadline. The deposit will be returned (minus a $75 administrative fee) if cancellation is made up to two weeks before the seminar start date. No refunds or credits are made for cancellations within two weeks. Certain programs may have unique cancellation policies that supersede our general policy and are described on the particular program web page.

Costs

Other expenses may include on-site camping; lodging or camping off-site; transportation; comfort items (see Packing List); camping equipment; chant and practice books (see individual programs);   gifts to teachers, translators and attendants; or donations to projects of the Chokgyur Lingpa and other foundations.

Program Orientation

Pre-Arrival

Please fill them out in advance and either fax, e-mail or mail them to our office, or submit them at check-in. These forms are considered internal documents and are confidential.

• Health & Emergency Form
• Practice History Form
• Acknowledgement of Hazards

If you have previously attended a retreat at Gomde, we have done our best to retrieve copies of your completed forms. However, we may ask you to complete them again if our records are incomplete or outdated.

Registration is considered complete when your registration form and complete payment have been received by our office.

During the Retreat

Yogi Service Tasks

All retreatants are assigned a Yogi Job under a task team leader at the time of registration. These light tasks take approximately one to two hours per day and range from helping with meal set-up and clean-up to vacuuming the teaching hall at night. If you have a particular skill -- cooking, retail experience, gardening, data entry, carpentry, graphic design, or others -- which you would like to share for your Yogi Job, please contact us at rygcooperstown@phakchokrinpoche.org.

Without the generous fulfillment of your Yogi Job, it would not be possible for the retreat to run smoothly and for all of us to receive these precious teachings. Thank you in advance for your responsible cooperation and dedicated contribution.

Cars & Driving

Please plan to leave your car in the designated parking areas after check-in.  

Meals

Meals will be served buffet style during designated hours. Snacks and tea will be provided as scheduled. If you have dietary restrictions not met by the above offerings,   please so note on your health form and contact the office staff prior to registration at   rygcooperstown@phakchokrinpoche.org.

Departure

The retreat ends after lunch and clean-up on the last day. Garbage disposal is a health and environmental concern. Program breakdown is an enormous task. If you are available for a few hours at the end of the program to help as a "Breakdown Bodhisattva," please contact a staff member.

Evaluation & Feedback

As a new center just entering our second year, we will greatly appreciate any comments and feedback you might care to give. Though it is quite difficult to make all sentient beings happy, we are trying our best!

Packing List

The following are items all attendees must bring, as they are not provided by the center. Please mark all personal belongings with your name.

• Personal water bottle
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen
• Shawl/blanket (cool in the evenings)
• Personal toiletries: Please bring unscented and biodegradable products, including insect repellant, poison oak block, wipes, tissues and soaps.
• Choose clothing you can layer depending on variable temperatures: t-shirts, vests, sweaters, long pants to protect legs, socks ...
• Gardening tools/gloves/apron if you wish to help in the garden
• Rangjung Yeshe Chantbook (if you have one already)
• Raincoat or small folding umbrella (just in case!) 

Optional Though Recommended

• Ground mat for possible outdoor meditation sessions
• Katak   (prayer scarf) for final day's offering

Items for On-Site Sleepers

• Towel
• Sleeping bag with pad or air mattress
• Biodegradable laundry soap, bucket, clothesline
• Slip-on rubber sandals for showers

Please Do NOT Bring

• Pets
• Trailers/RVs
• Firearms or other weapons
• Camp stoves (no fires allowed)
• Illegal drugs/alcohol
• Candles, incense, matches
• Scented products