bipoc teen retreat
Come for the fun & friends. Stay for the calm & community.
an experience to remember
Teens on an Inward Bound mindfulness retreat reconnect with their own brilliance, confidence, and intuition — their innate inner spark. With curiosity, teens develop their powers of perception and their capacity to understand their emotions and thoughts. The mindfulness practices they acquire on retreat transform into essential skills that are valuable now and for a lifetime.
Inward Bound retreats are led by adults with years of experience serving and working with teens and young adults, alongside their own longstanding mindfulness practices. Our diverse staff walk their talk in their professional and personal lives, and devote themselves to creating a unique and safe container for all to be welcomed, be real, and be accepted.
— 16-year-old female attendee
Explore what happens on retreat, why teens love them, and the overall benefits of our mindfulness retreats.
exploreRead frequently asked questions and their answers about teen retreats, tuition, and more.
read moreSince our teen retreats commenced in 2010, many young people have shared what their retreat meant to them. Read what they have to share.
words from teensBig Bear Retreat Center
1000 Sugarpine Road, Big Bear City, California 92314
bigbearretreatcenter.org
“Big Bear Retreat Center is located a 2.5-hour drive from Los Angeles, nestled in the ancient Juniper forests of the San Bernardino Mountains at a 7,000-foot elevation (four mountain seasons) near the town of Big Bear Lake in Southern California. The Center is immersed in nature located amidst about 100 acres of forested land with direct access to several hiking trails connected to our property. With an emphasis on inclusion and accessibility, provides a refuge for people of all faiths and walks of life.”
stay tuned – info coming soon
Bring clothing to last for 6 days and 5 nights. We will be outdoors as much as weather allows, so be sure to bring things you will be comfortable in, outside in summer. Please bring an extra change of clothes or two as clothes can get sweaty, wet, or dirty, and accidents do happen.
You’ll want to bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to meditate. Seated meditation in tight jeans or pants is really uncomfortable! You do not need to buy new or special clothing for this retreat – pajama pants, yoga pants, and sweatpants are all great options for sitting comfortably.
Essentials to bring
- Pillow & pillowcase & twin sheets
- Blanket / sleeping bag
- Towel and washcloth
- Waterbottle / travel mug
- A watch, because you won’t have your phone and may want to know the time
- Slip-on shoes for meditation hall
Clothing
- Clothing
- Comfortable pants / jeans / sweats
- T-shirts
- Bathing suit – some retreat centers have the option to swim
- Sweaters / sweatshirts / hoodies
- Clothes you can do yoga in
- Windbreaker/light jacket
- Rain gear (rain jacket / umbrella)
- Socks and underwear
- Sneakers / walking shoes
- Sun hat / baseball hat
Toiletries
- Toothbrush / toothpaste / floss
- Shampoo / conditioner
- Bath soap / body wash
- Hair brush / comb
- Deodorant
- Medications / remedies / vitamins & supplements
Optional items
- Meditation cushion / sitting bench
- Shawl or blanket to keep you warm while meditating
- Yoga mat
- Flashlight / headlamp
- Journal / pen
- Musical instrument
- Camera
- Toys / games (cards, hacky sack, etc.)
- Please be mindful in your selection of appropriate games to bring
Prohibited items & activities
- Possession or use of illegal drugs of any kind is expressly forbidden.
- Any mind-alterning substances
- Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited throughout the property.
- Possession or use of weapons or firearms is expressly forbidden.
- Candles, incense, and fires of any kind are prohibited.
- No food or drink in the dorms or guesthouse rooms.
- Hair dye, tie dye, or other permanent dyes.
What’s provided
- Twin bed and mattress
- Meditation cushions and chairs
- Yoga mats
- Refrigerator for medications or special food items you need
- First aid kit / over-the-counter meds
Begin your application today by submitting your basic details and paying the application fee. Upon submission of this first step, check your inbox for a link to the remainder of your application.
For more guidance on registering for this retreat, check out our Registration Guide. For any additional questions, please email us at [email protected].