We understand that life happens, but to keep things clear and fair for all parties we have a strict no-cancellation policy. We are too small and offering too generous of a sliding-scale to be able to handle last-minute cancellations. If something comes up and whenever possible, we will try our best to work with you (It all comes down to if financially we are able. A last-minute cancellation is much more difficult, for instance). However, when you register it is best to assume that your payment is final. More details about our cancellation policy are in the link below as well as retreat terms and conditions.

View full retreat terms and conditions here.

All pricing tiers include sattvic food (vegetarian and vegan options), lodging, and retreat programming.

We cannot guarantee an exact schedule, however, we can offer this schedule from last year’s retreat to give you a sense of what to expect. We also strongly recommend viewing some of the videos in the Explore More section of this page.

You can view the 2024 schedule here.

Traveling to the Center

Salt Spring Centre of Yoga is easily accessible by ferry from Vancouver and Victoria. International travelers can directly access the ferry from Victoria International Airport through the shuttle. For those traveling without a car, there are taxis available on island, or it is about an hour walk from the ferry terminal.

More in-depth travel information is available here.

Booking Your Ferry to Salt Spring Island

We highly recommend booking your ferry to Salt Spring Island ahead of time, especially since the summer months can get quite busy. However, please note that BC Ferries has not yet released the schedules and booking options for that time period. They will become available soon, so please keep an eye on the BC Ferries website https://www.bcferries.com for updates.

Rideshares

We are no longer able to provide rides from the ferry terminal. We have set up a rideshare board for community members to trade information. This will be shared via email after registering.

Please bring personal toiletries, comfortable clothing, and an alarm clock. Outdoor shoes are not allowed inside, so feel free to bring slippers. A water bottle and/or travel mug is also a good idea.

Meditation cushions and yoga mats are provided, though some guests prefer to bring their own.

This is on an island, and so even though it is summer, it is still a good idea to be prepared for rain. if you think you might go hiking, bring a light rain jacket and good hiking shoes.

From the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga website: “We offer unmarked tenting options in a quiet forest setting or in the sunny open meadows. All have access to hot outdoor showers and outhouses; however, there are no electrical hook‐ups. Campers are asked to bring their own tents, sleeping bags, pillows, linens and towels.”

We strongly recommend bringing a portable powerbank if you will be needing to charge your phones. There are limited electrical outlets available in the main hall.

Please note: there are no fires, camp stoves or candles allowed on the land.

• Alcohol, cigarette/cannabis smoking, and illegal or non-prescription drugs are not permitted on the Centre property

• Other than in the kitchens and for certain ceremonies, no incense, fires, candles, sparklers or camp stoves are allowed on the property or in buildings.

• Meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs are not permitted on the Centre property.

• Guests are requested to refrain from wearing scented or perfumed products to ensure a scent-free environment.

• Outside shoes are not permitted indoors.

• We ask that public nudity is avoided, including in the sauna.

• Please refrain from swearing.

• Quiet hours are observed from 9pm–8am.

Salt Spring Centre of Yoga will provide 3 meals a day of “ashram-style” food. This means it will be simple, satvic, vegetarian, and filling.

*Meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs are not permitted on the Centre property. However, you are welcome to supplement your meals by heading to town during one of the breaks.

Freely Given; Freely Received

At SCP, we have a a central mission to “lower the barriers of access to contemplative and devotional practices.”

Many of us have participated in Buddhist meditation retreats, and we are deeply inspired by the Buddhist Dharma. The Buddha taught that these teachings cannot be “sold” because they are a priceless gift meant for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Sliding Scale

In line with many Buddhist meditation retreats such as Spirit Rock and IMS, we charge a sliding-scale fee for attending the retreat. There are costs involved in renting a space and feeding a large group of people as well as general nonprofit overhead costs to function.

There are five different ticket tiers.

The lower tiers are slightly subsidized to expand access. If that is the amount you can afford, we encourage you to register joyfully.

We are asking all participants to pay at the highest ticket tier they can afford. By contributing more, you enable SCP to sustain this retreat, offer scholarships, and to grow our service programs.

Any amount above the minimum tier counts as a tax-deductible donation in the United States.

Dana and our Volunteer Facilitators

The teacher-facilitators are not paid because they do not “own” the Dharma, and thus cannot sell it. Each of us is here because we see this as an important element of our own spiritual development.

That said, what makes this system work is a community of generosity. For years, people told us, “It’s hard to do donation-based events because in the West we don’t have a culture of supporting the Teachings.”

At SCP, we are committed to helping change this culture. Each of us has our own internal practice of “giving freely” and letting go of attachments and expectations around receiving gratitude, either in the form of compliments or financial gifts.

We also know that our own giving can only be as pure as our ability to receive. We likewise commit to releasing internal barriers to receiving gifts that are freely given.

It is for this reason that a meditation on giving is read on the final day of the retreat, and participants are provided the means and opportunity to offer their gratitude through financial gifts to the teachers.

You can read the meditation on giving here.