This event is located at the beautiful Light on the Hill Retreat Center in Van Etten, New York. When we are not meeting in the Light Lodge for our group time, there are many beautiful walking paths to explore, two labyrinths and a small sanctuary building for silent reflection.

If you are able to travel a few days early, the retreat center is 30 minutes south of Ithaca, which sits at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake and is home to several beautiful waterfalls and stunning hiking. We know that not everyone has the time or resources to take a few extra days, but if you do, visiting the Finger Lakes would be a lovely way to "onramp" into our retreat weekend.

Driving
The retreat center website has comprehensive driving directions, with a clear caution:

Many GPS systems give incorrect directions when coming from the East (Spencer), and lead you to the “back way”, which is a poorly maintained, seasonal road. Be sure NOT to turn on Langford Creek Road from Rte 224. Keep going another mile to Blake Hill Rd.

Flying
If you are flying in, the closest airports are all ~2hrs drive to Van Etten:

Syracuse - Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) - 1hr 50min drive time
Rochester - Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester Airport (ROC) - 2hr 15min drive time
Wilkes Barre / Scranton - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) - 2hr drive time

When securing your travel plans, please be mindful of our start and end times.

• Vegetarian meals.

• A beverage station with tea and water.

• All towels, sheets and bedding.

• Chairs and back jacks in the meeting spaces.

For your care and tending…

• Personal toiletries.

• Water bottle and reusable mug for coffee/tea

• Slippers or heavy socks. We are asked to remove our shoes upon entering any of the buildings.

• Comfortable clothing and walking shoes and suitable warm clothing for Autumn walks.

For our time together during the day…

• Pen/Pencil and paper/notebook for writing and micro-rituals.

• There will be chairs and back jacks for everyone. You may want to bring a cushion and / or a blanket for comfort.

Optional…

• A yoga mat.

• Snacks, if you prefer your own (the retreat center will also have snacks on hand) .

• Headlamp or flashlight (your phone also works).

On Friday night we will build a shrine with beautiful cloth and sacred objects. You are invited to bring any meaningful objects which either represent a thread of grief you carry or objects that support you to welcome grief: photos, stones, flowers, arts, anything that carries meaning for you.

All of your objects will be returned to you before you leave.

In our work, we approach any rituals, songs, or practices from non-dominant cultures with deep respect and gratitude. They have been shared and gifted with blessings to aid in our collective healing. We are committed to acknowledging and honoring the sources of these practices, recognizing the responsibility that comes with engaging with them.

Masking is optional, but discouraged given the nature of this work where we all rely on non-verbal cues to communicate and find safety. We do not request vaccination or testing prior to arrival. However if you are symptomatic within ten days prior to the program start date we ask that you please ensure that you are not contagious before arriving. This is a self-monitoring agreement and we trust in your personal integrity. Thank you.