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Please review our list of Frequently Asked Questions by clicking on the sections below to expand that portion of the document.
Registration
Q: How do I cancel my registration?
Please email us at events@garrisoninstitute.org to notify us of your cancellation request.
Our full cancellation policy can be viewed by clicking here.
Q: How can I upgrade/downgrade my registration?
Please email us at events@garrisoninstitute.org to notify us of your cancellation request. Please be aware that you may be required to pay in order to upgrade or be refunded a partial amount for a downgrade.
Q: Are there CEU’s or learning credits for this program?
CEU’s will be advertised in the program description of the registration page if available.
Q: What is your policy on bringing children?
Garrison Institute has no facilities or special provisions for children or child care, nor do we provide special meals or menus for children. If participants are considering bringing children, please inform us by emailing us at events@garrisoninstitute.org. The following conditions must be met:
- Parents/guardians must take full responsibility for their children while at the Garrison Institute and must sign a special waiver of liability form.
- Children 15 and over are considered adults by Garrison Institute and are only allowed as full paying participants in the retreat/event.
- Children under 15 must be supervised at all times for the entire length of stay both inside the building and outside on the grounds.
Q: What does the Commuter registration type include?
All our rate categories include the following: access to programs, meals, and the use of our facility. For commuters, it is assumed that you are either making your own arrangements for lodging accommodations (near the Institute) or driving from a point not too far away.
Q: Do you offer partial registration?
The Garrison Institute does not offer partial registration for our programs. If individuals need to arrive or depart outside of the retreat schedule, please let us know by emailing events@garrisoninstitute.org. However, there are no pro-rated arrangements for attending part of a retreat.
Q: What scholarships are available for Garrison Institute retreats?
Select retreats offer scholarships to partially subsidize the cost of registration. If a scholarship is being offered for a retreat, it will be notated in the description of the event page, so please visit that specific event page to see which scholarship(s) are being offered for that retreat and how to apply. If you wish to apply to a scholarship, apply first and then wait to hear your result before registering. For more information, please visit our scholarships page by clicking here.
Questions about the Facility
Q: Can I bring my pet to the Institute?
- Please note that we cannot accommodate emotional support animals or pets
- Trained/Working service animals are only permitted for the purpose of aiding a guest with a physical disability and/or tasks that the animal is trained to perform
Q: Do you have a list of off-site accommodations?
Yes, you may view a list of local off-site accommodations by clicking here.
Q: How many people to a room?
All our rooms feature twin XL beds. The single room has only one twin bed and can only accommodate one person. The double option features 2 twin beds. When you register for a double, you are reserving one of the two beds in these rooms, and rooming with someone of the same gender who has also reserved at that rooming rate. Our dorm rooms feature 3-4 twin beds, which means you’ll be rooming with 2-3 others. This is why it is our lowest price point rooming option offered. Restrooms are shared facilities separated according to gender.
Q: Are there workout facilities at GI?
We do not have a gym facility on-site. We encourage you to enjoy our beautiful outdoor environment. We have a large walled rear yard containing gardens and a labyrinth. In the front of the Institute is a grassy meadow with benches and a gazebo overlooking the Hudson River. We have a paved walking “loop” around the building’s property. There are also trails through the woods that adjoin our property, and a short hike that connects to the Appalachian Trail.
Q: Are the bathrooms shared facilities?
Please note that none of our rooms have individual plumbing. All restrooms are communal located in the hallways, and are separated according to gender. In that sense, we are not a traditional hotel, but rather bill ourselves as a retreat center. The building once served as a monastery, and so we’ve retained much of that communal ethos, blending it with modern calming elements. You may view photos of our grounds and facilities by clicking here.
Q: What is your policy on bringing children?
Garrison Institute has no facilities or special provisions for children or child care, nor do we provide special meals or menus for children. If participants are considering bringing children, please inform us by emailing us at events@garrisoninstitute.org. The following conditions must be met:
- Parents/guardians must take full responsibility for their children while at the Garrison Institute and must sign a special waiver of liability form.
- Children 15 and over are considered adults by Garrison Institute and are only allowed as full paying participants in the retreat/event.
- Children under 15 must be supervised at all times for the entire length of stay both inside the building and outside on the grounds.
Q: I have dietary concerns. What do you offer?
The Garrison Institute serves vegetarian meals through our in-house caterer, Fresh Company. Because we are a retreat center, we are set up to provide buffet meals to groups. Fresh Co. does its best to accommodate guests’ dietary needs, but we are not able to accommodate all individual needs. For guests with extensive dietary limitations, we would recommend that you bring some of your own food to supplement what we offer. There is a standard-sized refrigerator as well as dry-storage bins where guests can store food labeled with their name and have access to it 24-7.
However, we do try to offer some gluten-free alternatives as well as a special needs food station at meals, consisting of the following:
- Plain rice
- Plain vegetables
- A plain protein source
- Gluten free bread
- Rice cakes
Q: What ADA-Compliant first floor rooms do you have?
We only have four rooms on the first floor, that share a full bath between them that we typically make available to individuals who are mobility-impaired and unable to climb stairs to the rooms on the upper level. Those who are wheelchair-bound are prioritized for these rooms. Please be sure to notify us of these needs in the Disabilities/Accommodation field when you are registering.
Q: How can I find something that I lost while I was at the Garrison Institute?
Lost & Found items are held for no more than 3 months. If you left something at our facility, please email us at events@garrisoninstitute.org. If we are able to locate your item, we are able to ship it back to you. You will be responsible for any associated shipping costs.
Q: I am not registered for a retreat, but can I come visit Garrison Institute?
You are welcome to walk the grounds, however, the building is restricted only to retreat attendees. We also have hiking trails near the property that you are welcome to explore. If there’s a group in the building or grounds, we do ask that you are respectful of the space. To enquire further, please email events@garrisoninstitute.org.
Traveling to the Garrison Institute
Q: What does the Commuter registration type include?
All our rate categories include the following: access to programs, meals, and the use of our facility. For commuters, it is assumed that you are either making your own arrangements for lodging accommodations (near the Institute) or driving from a point not too far away.
Q: How does transportation between Garrison train station and the Garrison Institute work?
There will be complimentary shuttles provided from the local Metro-North station in Garrison, NY to Garrison Institute, for every north-bound train arriving during the check-in window. In addition, there’s a lovely scenic path you can walk from the Metro-North Railroad station to the Garrison Institute. For further details on how to get to the Institute and how to prepare for your in-person retreat, click here.
Q: Can I walk from the Garrison train station to the Institute?
If you wish, you can walk from the Metro-North Railroad station in Garrison to the Garrison Institute. We would not recommend taking this trail during inclement weather or if you are carrying a larger bag or wheeled luggage. Please click here to see photos of the walking path.
Q: I am not registered for a retreat, but can I come visit Garrison Institute?
You are welcome to walk the grounds, however, the building is restricted only to retreat attendees. We also have hiking trails near the property that you are welcome to explore. If there’s a group in the building or grounds, we do ask that you are respectful of the space. To enquire further, please email events@garrisoninstitute.org.
Other
Q: Will the virtual program be recorded?
For any virtual programs, the session will be recorded and the recording distributed to all who registered by email after the event.
Q: How do I join your mailing list?
Thank you for your interest in staying in touch with us! You may sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.