COVID Safety Measures

Our commitment is to protect the health of those who come to Vallecitos while respecting the personal health practices of our community. 

Our requirements for the 2025 season are as follows.

Effective January 12, 2025

• We no longer require COVID testing for participants, staff, or teachers to attend retreat. This decision is based on the current CDC recommendations for COVID and all respiratory viruses which aligns care and protection strategies for COVID with those of the flu, common cold, and RSV.  
  • We encourage everyone to self-monitor and practice good judgement with regard to their health and attending retreat. We encourage testing before arrival especially if you are symptomatic.
• Masking remains optional for everyone. If you choose to mask, please plan to bring a supply of suitable masks as we have limited supplies at the center.
  • Please know that optional masking is discretionary and there could be times in which you would be asked to mask indoors for the inclusion and safety of some community members. 
• Once you are on-site, for the well-being of the entire community, we ask that any symptoms of illness, including COVID symptoms, be immediately reported to Vallecitos staff so that a test (provided) can be administered. If you are feeling ill, use a mask (provided) in indoor public spaces.
• If you do test positive for COVID during your stay, you will be asked to depart as soon as possible. For those of you who would need to be picked up or make travel arrangements, we can accommodate your brief stay in isolation accommodations separate from the active retreat container while you make plans to depart. 

Here’s what we’re doing for your safety and ease:

• Most meditation sits and group gatherings will take place in our outdoor practice tent.
• On-site registration and check-in are held outdoors.
• All accommodations are single occupancy.
• Plenty of outdoor seating for meals.
• Hand sanitizing stations located across campus.
• Regular cleaning practices of high traffic areas. 

We will continue to adapt our policies as necessary to ensure safety for all participants, teachers, and staff.

Altitude

The elevation of the ranch is 8,800 feet.  Visitors often experience mild symptoms of elevation related illness, including fatigue, headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, sleep disruption and mild shortness of breath. These symptoms often subside during the first 1-3 days but can persist longer for some. In very rare cases symptoms can escalate to a more threatening condition with shortness of breath at rest, persistent coughing, and exercise intolerance.

Prevention is key.

• Acclimatizing: If you are able to sleep a night or two at a lower elevation prior to your arrival, it will help speed the body’s process of acclimatizing (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Denver).
• Hydration: It is critical to stay well hydrated starting several days prior to travel and during your retreat. Hydration is the key to preventing altitude related illness.
• Take it easy: Do not overdo it the first day or two. Stop early when you start to feel fatigue or any prolonged breathlessness.
• High Carbohydrate Diet: Increase carbohydrate intake (pasta, rice, pancakes) to 70% of total calories. This means reducing fat intake.
• Avoid Alcohol, Tranquilizers & Sleeping Pills: All of these things slow your body’s adjustment to elevation.
• Medication: There is prescription medication which helps prevent illness and speed acclimation. If you have a known issue with being at altitude, please consult your doctor before coming.

If you have ongoing medical conditions, a visit to a medical provider familiar with the demands of altitude travel is helpful before your trip. You should address any acute medical issues such as sinus infections, bronchitis, or chest pain with your doctor before you travel.

CPAP Machines

We can accommodate CPAP machines that do not utilize an oxygen convertor to run. We power the CPAP machines with solar-powered batteries. There are several considerations to understand when bringing your own CPAP.

• Please note that every CPAP machine’s power usage is different, and we cannot guarantee the power supplied will be sufficient for every type of machine.
• For optimal results, please turn your CPAP machine to the lowest setting that is sufficient for your safety to prolong the battery life overnight.
• Since our batteries are solar charged, please know that the batteries may not reach their optimal capacity when the weather presents mostly overcast days. Your machine may not run the entire night.
• CPAP machines with oxygen convertors consume too much power and will exhaust the solar battery quickly. Please check if your device has the option to turn off this feature while at retreat.
• We have two casita lodgings equipped with solar batteries to support CPAP use. You must select a Casita if you plan to use our batteries to charge your CPAP during retreat. We will notify you after registration if we need to coordinate any other arrangements.
• You do not need any special equipment to use our battery power set up. Your CPAP will plug into an extension cord outlet just like a wall plug at home.
• Please be aware, if you need supplemental oxygen, then this retreat environment may not work for you.
• We must receive advance notification, via your registration form, if you intend to use a CPAP machine on your retreat.

Fragrance Free

Having a fragrance free center stems from our commitment to building an inclusive community. Help Vallecitos be accessible to all by planning ahead and bringing only fragrance free products for use during your stay. This includes lotions, shampoos, feminine products, deodorant, essential oils, laundry detergent, hand sanitizer, to name a few. It is helpful to know to steer clear of products labeled unscented as they are often masked scent. It is best to look for products that say “free of fragrance and dyes”. One often missed are natural scents such as coconut or essentials oils as these are still scents that can cause harm to others. Thank you for your consideration. We provide communal bottles of fragrance-free shampoos and soap in the bathhouse.

Contact information for your family and friends in case of emergency.

Participants are asked to “unplug” while on retreat at Vallecitos.  However, if there is an emergency and you need to be contacted, your family and friends may either call (505) 469-9017 or email refuge@vallecitos.org.

Accessibility

As a wilderness retreat center located in a mountainous forest area, Vallecitos is not accessible to all temporarily able-bodied folks, regardless of their age or physical ability, and it does not accommodate wheelchairs, wheeled walkers or other walking aids that are designed for flat, even surfaces. 

Other than the built structures, the ground throughout the property is unpaved, a mix of dirt and gravel. There is a rocky slope from the dining room and main lodge to guest lodging, and accommodations are spread across the land at various distances. Access to the Yurts, Tent Cabins and Hermitage require walking up a path on a gradual slope, while the Casitas are spread out on a steeper hill. Practitioners will need to navigate the inclines and walking paths several times throughout the day. There are 3-4 steps into the Dining Hall for three meals each day, and Casitas, Yurts and Tent Cabins require 3-4 steps to enter. Outhouses are located over well-trodden, but uneven paths, at various distances from housing. The Bathhouse is accessible by a wood platform path from the main lodge. The meadow paths are well-trodden and should be accessible if participants can manage the logistics above.

For anyone concerned about their ability to navigate our property, we welcome a conversation with you to discuss whether Vallecitos can support you during a retreat. Please reach out to us at refuge@vallecitos.org and the Registration Manager will contact you.