EarthRise at IONS Guidelines

Welcome to EarthRise at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Please take a few moments to acquaint yourself with these guidelines. Following these guidelines will help ensure your safety and well being, as well as the safety and well being of the staff, other retreat center guests and wildlife. We appreciate your help in stewarding this land and helping us ensure that the physical and spiritual setting of the IONS’ Center is carefully safeguarded. If you have questions or problems, please contact the group facilitator.

SPECIAL NOTE: Please confer in advance with your meeting planner if you have any special needs.

Click here to download a PDF version of these guidelines.

Emergencies

In case of a life threatening emergency: Call 911

⇒ There is a phone located in each of the dormitories.
⇒ The address is 101 San Antonio Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952

Then call our Resident Caretakers at 707/364-2554 and report that you have already called 911 and the location of the emergency.

First Aid

We have an emergency medical kit, for minor injuries, in the communal kitchen in Chalet #2 and in the main kitchen in the dining hall.

Smoking

► Smoking is discouraged and restricted to designated smoking areas due to the regional high fire danger.
► Smoking is not permitted in any of the buildings or within 20 feet of any buildings. Smoking is also not permitted on any trails.

Fires

► We do not allow the use of candles inside or outside our buildings unless they are in a proper votive holder. (No exposed flame allowed.)
► Outdoor campfires are not allowed unless arranged with the Events Manager in advance. We are governed by very strict laws due to the regional high fire danger and the remoteness of this area. During times of extreme fire danger, fires will not be permitted.
► Fireworks and firearms are not permitted under any circumstances.

Parking

► Do not leave valuables in your car. EarthRise will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.
► Parking in the cul-de-sac area by the dormitories or on the grass is not permitted. After loading or unloading, please move your vehicle to your group’s designated parking area as quickly as possible.

Quiet Hours

Quite hours are 10:00 pm to 8:00 am. Please be considerate of other retreat participants.

Meals

Please arrive on time as the meals are served hot at the beginning of the meal periods. Meals are served buffet style. If you have any food allergies, please inform your group leader no later than one week prior to arrival. After you have finished your meal, please bus your plates, glassware, flatware and napkins.

Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol consumption is limited to the Community Building and the Community Building patio if allowed by your group. Wine is available for purchase in our gift shop.

Computer Access

Wi-Fi is available in the dormitories, West Room, Amphitheater and in the Community Building. There is also a desktop computer and printer in the Business Office in Chalet #2.

Facilities and Grounds

► Please do not take EarthRise furniture, bedding, or linens out of the rooms.
► If any EarthRise property is missing or damaged, the person(s) or group will be responsible for paying for the damage. The Operations Manager will determine the cost based on materials and labor to repair or replace.
► Please turn off heaters, air conditioning, and lights when you are not in your room.
► Do not leave valuables in your room. While we have never had a problem with theft from rooms, we are not responsible for lost or stolen property.
► The speed limit on the property is 10 mph. Please be aware that the animal families (deer, turkeys, rabbits) do not look before they leap, strut or hop across the road. Please be mindful of them when you are driving your car on the roads.

Hiking

► Trails:

• Trail maps are available in the community building.
• Please stay on the trails.
• Do not approach or feed wildlife.
• Check yourself for deer ticks after walking on the trails or in grassy areas. If you get bitten, save the tick and have it analyzed for Lyme disease. There are small plastic Ziploc bags in the kitchen of Chalet 1 in the cupboard.

► Be aware of poison oak.
► Please respect our neighbor's land posted with "No Trespassing" signs.

Policy for Children on Campus

Children under the age of 13 must be supervised 24 hours a day by an adult.

Sleeping accommodations for children are considered the same as adults if they are using a bed in the retreat center, and they are then charged for the bed at the shared double rate. Children 5 years of age and younger eat free. Children aged 6 through 12 are charged half price for meals.

Pet Policy

Pets are not allowed in any of the buildings (dorm rooms or meeting rooms). Trained service animals, with documentation, are permitted.

Communal Kitchen

The kitchen in Chalet #2 is for all retreat participants. If you bring your own food, mark it with your name or the name of the group. If you bring medication that needs to be refrigerated, please make sure that it is clearly marked. EarthRise at IONS is not responsible for missing food, beverages, or medication.

Lost & Found

Please be responsible for taking all your belongings with you when you leave. If contacted we will attempt to locate your missing item(s) and return it to you. All lost and found articles will be held for 30 days, after which, will they be donated in a charitable manner. Contact Kay Thompson at kthompson@noetic.org to report a missing item.