Registration now OPEN!!

Food

Meals are provided and served for all guests at the Dining Hall. The chef provides three freshly prepared, nourishing, and supportive meals a day. The kitchen uses fresh, organic, and local ingredients when possible. The kitchen also offers simple snacks, and coffee is served daily at breakfast. There is a small refrigerator in the Dining Hall for personal food items. Please ensure you’ve communicated your dietary restrictions to your retreat registrar at least one week prior to your arrival. We ask that you not change your dietary plan after the retreat has started, unless it is absolutely necessary.

Our Chef: Hiroko Greenberg

Hiroko was born in a rural city of Northern Japan. She is a trained certified chef in Japan. She practices Zen simple foods, macrobiotic food, and has been a Miso Maker for over 20 years. She is passionate about local organic food.
Hiroko also works with a non-profit organization group called Sierra Harvest as an educator/cooking class facilitator in local schools in her area. She is also involved with local tribes teaching young children nature survival skills.
Her passion is to share nature’s abundance that includes traditional fermentations, cultural and forage/herbal food to inspire people for their well-being.

How to prepare:

Go to the Big Springs Website for excellent information on preparing for your trip as well as other site details. Please be sure to read through all the drop down sections so that you come onto retreat informed and prepared. All of this information is included in our Big Springs Welcome Guide. Please reach out to your retreat organizer if you have specific questions.

At an altitude of 5,200 ft., temperatures can vary, and there could be rain. Here is a point forecast for Big Springs. We recommend you bring lots of layers, a jacket, umbrella, sun hat and anything else that you use to protect yourself from the elements and insects. We have unscented sunscreen and insect repellant available.

Please bring enough clothes and everything you will need for the entire retreat. This guide includes a packing list of items that we recommend. There are no laundry facilities available. We do have a small general store onsite with various toiletries and medicines that you may need.

Please plan on staying on campus during your entire retreat and contact your retreat organizer if you foresee any issues. If an emergency or extenuating circumstance has arisen, please check in with someone and do not leave without notifying a staff member. It is essential that we know who is on campus for emergency safety.