Self Retreats at RMERC

Requirements

The cabin is available for RMERC members who wish to engage in contemplative practice retreats. Please note the following requirements for rental

• All retreatants must have participated in an RMERC group retreat.
• All retreatants must have completed at least two retreats of duration equal to or greater than the intended retreat.
• All retreatants must be RMERC Members in good standing, at the time the reservation is made and at the time of the retreat.
• All retreatant must sign an RMERC Waiver, and
• The person making the reservation must sign a cabin rental agreement during the reservation process, acknowledging and agreeing to the guidelines set forth.

Note that we will be in touch if we have any questions related to these qualifications.

Retreat Duration

Note that the minimum stay is 3 nights if including a Friday or Saturday night; otherwise, the minimum stay is 2 nights. The maximum stay is 14 nights (please contact us if you are interested in a longer retreat). The cabin can be reserved for up to 2 people.

Check-in time and check-out times are at 2 pm (please make sure you depart by 2 pm, as the next guest may arrive at 2 pm!).

Cost per Night – Sliding Scale Pricing

• One Person: $100 – $160 (low income options available)
• Two People: $150-$240 (low income options available)
• 20% discount for stays of 8 days or longer
• For low income options, please contact [email protected].
• Accepted payment methods: Paypal and credit card

To reserve the retreat cabin:

• Review this page thoroughly, especially regarding requirements. On the reservation form, you will be asked to provide some related details.
• Click here to check availability of the retreat cabin.
• To reserve the cabin, follow the link at the bottom of this page; you will need to login with your membership credentials to make a reservation.
• On the booking form, you will need to confirm eligibility, select dates, confirm payment amount, sign a cabin agreement, and make a payment.
• You will receive a a confirmation email and a receipt of payment. You can consider the reservation confirmed unless we contacct you with any questions. Note that RMERC retains the right to terminate a reservation and refund your payment if we have any questions about eligibility or suitability of a retreat.
• You will receive an email 1 or 2 days before your retreat with a code to the cabin. 
• In rare cases, two bookings might overlap; we apologize in advance if we need to cancel and refund your reservation.
• Please email [email protected] with any questions about the booking process.

Cancellation Policy

On bookings of seven nights or less: Cancellations outside of 45 days get a refund less a $120 cancellation fee. Inside of 45 days no refunds will be made unless dates are re-rented, in which case you get a refund for rebooked nights, less the $120 cancellation fee.

On bookings of 8 nights or more: Cancellations more than 45 days in advance get a refund less a $200 cancellation fee. Inside of 45 days no refunds will be made unless dates are re-rented, in which case you get a refund for rebooked nights, less the $200 cancellation fee.

Commitments

As members of the Ecodharma community, one of our most important charges is to create a sacred, protected space for people on retreat. Often times, going into silent meditation retreat creates an experience of deep sensitivity and vulnerability that can be unrecognizable to our everyday, often armored selves. It is paramount that we maintain that protected space for people while they are on retreat at the center. This allows them to deepen their relationships with themselves and the world around them.

During the spring, summer, and fall, RMERC hosts group retreats in our main lodge. If a retreat is underway at the center, you may not attend their teachings or events, and the lodge is off limits unless there is an emergency. All of the hiking trails are available to you, but please maintain silence.

If you meet someone on one of the trails, please do not speak to them and try to avoid excessive eye contact, as they may be in noble silence. Please don’t make any sudden moves. The best practice is to step quietly aside, bow, and allow them to pass. In general, please treat all people as though they are sacred and ancient, because they are! You may choose to act as though you have just stepped into a magnificent cathedral. Honor the sacredness, dignity, and the respect of every person you meet.

Click here for information about the hiking trails and locations of outdoor shrines (note that the shrines near the main lodge are off-limits during group retreats).

Winter Weather

Note that winter weather at RMERC can be exceptionally harsh, especially during storms, which can bring blowing snow in whiteout conditions with strong winds and deep snow covering the driveway and parking areas. Please plan accordingly. The weather in boulder can be balmy, and at RMERC, winds of 50 mph and temperatures below 20 degrees are not uncommon. Arrive in full winter gear, snow boots, long underwear, down jacket, warm gloves or mittens, hat, food and water, and sleeping bag. Arrive during daylight. Put a snow shovel in your car in case you get stuck. 

In winter conditions, all-wheel or four-wheel drive is strongly recommended. There is no cell service or amenities in the area. Occasional passing motorists are your only backup. (See more information under parking.)

Directions, Parking and Arrival

The cabin is located about 100 yards west of the RMERC lodge (towards the mountains) at 8941 Overland Road, Ward, CO 80481 (set your map directions before leaving Boulder, as there is no cell service in the mountains). 

To get to the cabin, drive through the gate that is about 100 feet to the east of the lodge parking area. Once through the gate, take an immediate right and follow the driveway to the cabin.

An EV charger is available at the cabin. Please contact the registrar for more information if you will have a need.

NOTE: In winter, all-wheel drive is strongly recommended, and even then, the driveway may be impassable during storms and before it gets plowed out. If in doubt, about either weather or vehicle, you may park temporarily at the pullout above the cabin, drop off your belongings, and then park in the lodge parking lot.

To access the cabin, please enter the keycode that will be emailed to you prior to your arrival.

If at checkin anything is broken or not clean, please let us know immediately using the landline at the cabin, so that you are not assessed damage or cleaning fees after your retreat.

Amenities

The cabin includes a small but complete kitchen, bathroom with shower, a bedroom with two single beds, and a living room with a pull out couch. Blankets and pillows are provided, but not linens. There is a landline phone but no Internet.

Bring everything else you need: all food (there is no shopping nearby), linens, towels, dish towels, toilet paper, and toiletries. Some basic cleaning supplies are provided.

Phone and Internet

There is no internet at the retreat cabin, but there is a landline for use in case of emergencies. A list of phone numbers to call in case of emergency is posted on the cork board.

Other Guidelines

Please remove your shoes while you are in the cabin. The gas heater is a backup for the heat pumps, so please don’t use it unless the electricity goes out. Please make sure to close all the windows any time you leave the cabin, if just for a little while.

Fires, smoking, candles, or open flames of any kind, inside or outside, are strictly forbidden. Please do not play recorded music outside. No recreational drugs or alcohol are permitted. Pets of any kind are not allowed.

Cleaning and Departure

Before you leave you are responsible to complete a thorough cleaning, using the checklist in the cabin, and take home all food and trash, except you may leave items on the staples list. We have bears: Leaving trash, food, or things dirty could result in a bear breaking in, causing expensive damage that you will be liable for.

Please make sure to lock the door when you leave.

Damage

Please let us know immediately if are responsible for any damages. A cleaning and/or damage fee may be assessed if things are not found to be clean and in good order by the next guest.