Country Retreat FAQs

Frequently asked questions about our annual Country Retreat at the Kadampa Temple for World Peace in the Catskills.

Q: Where is the retreat taking place? Is it in New York City?

Q: Am I required to attend the full weekend event? Can I attend the Saturday sessions only?

Full weekend attendance is not required. You may register for Saturday attendance only.

Q. What are the onsite indoor accommodations like?

There are limited onsite indoor accommodations available at KMC New York. These include private single or double rooms, twin rooms, triple rooms, shared rooms (up to six people), and dorm rooms (8-10 people). These rooms may be booked online for the full retreat only. Partial bookings cannot be accepted for onsite indoor accommodations.

Q: Will I be helping out by serving meals, selling items in the cafe, or setting up the meditation room?

Yes...our Country Retreat runs on volunteers! There are a variety of jobs to choose from, that suit everyone, from cooking and cleaning to washing up after meals, and helping in the gift store. Volunteer assignments and instructions will be emailed to you before the start of the retreat. 

Q: Who can come? Is it for beginners?

Everyone is welcome, including beginners.

Q: Do I have to pre-register, or can I just show up?

Pre-registration is essential for this event if you are seeking onsite accommodations. If you plan to attend Saturday or Sunday only, pre-registration is not required, but it is recommended.

Q: What should I bring with me?

Please bring rain gear, appropriate footwear, an umbrella, etc. even if the weather report tells you otherwise. It’s a rural environment and can get muddy, slippery, and colder than you might think.

• For dorm accommodations: sleeping bag/blanket, pillow, and towel
• For all accommodations: extra bedding if you desire, a flashlight, and toiletries

Q: Where can I stay offsite?

Q: Can I get an accommodation for just one night?

Partial bookings cannot be accepted for onsite indoor accommodations. However, if you plan to bring a tent, you can register for just one night of camping.

Q: I am purchasing onsite/offsite accommodation. Do I need to purchase meals separately, or are they included?

Meals are sold separately, although for those staying onsite, breakfast is included. If you would like to purchase lunch or dinner on any of the days of the retreat, please make sure to purchase them when you register. If you would prefer not to, you can purchase a savory snack in the cafe or eat offsite. Unfortunately there are no restaurant options within walking distance. Please note: the temple grounds are vegetarian only.

Q: How do I get to the retreat?

We offer a shuttle service from KMC NYC in Chelsea to the Temple in Glen Spey. The shuttle leaves promptly at 4pm Friday, August 30, arriving in time for the evening introduction (but arriving after dinner has ended). It departs at 2:30pm on Monday, September 2 after lunch. Registration for the shuttle can be made for an additional cost when booking for the weekend.

Here is more information to help you plan your journey according to how you'll be traveling:

BY CAR: Please find driving directions here: http://kadampanewyork.org/visiting/getting-here

BY TRAIN: From Manhattan: take NJ Transit from Penn Station to Port Jervis; there is a connection in Secaucus. For a direct train from Hoboken: take the PATH train to Hoboken in NJ. From there take NJ Transit to Port Jervis (http://www.njtransit.com/). There are taxi cabs available at the Port Jervis train station to take you to the Kadampa Meditation Center New York.

BY BUS: At Port Authority station in Manhattan, take the Shortline bus (www.shortlinebus.com) to Matamoras, PA at the Best Western Hotel. From there, you can arrange a taxi to Kadampa Meditation Center New York.

TAXIS: J L Taxi Service (845.856.3544), A1A Tristate Taxi (845.858.8294), Yo Taxi (845.672.4171), Swift Cabs (845.672.5716)

Q: I have a question that is not answered here. Should I call the upstate temple?