JULY 12-18, 2026
We know many of you love and value the annual Family Retreat and this brings us much joy. We are also aware that we do not have the capacity to accommodate all who wish to attend. Therefore, in order to offer a fair and stress-free registration experience, we will be holding a lottery for available spaces to attend the retreat. Folks who enter the lottery will be chosen at random to attend. Those who are chosen will be contacted to complete their registration. No payments will be accepted to enter the lottery or to join the waiting list.
Here are the important dates:
March 20: Lottery opens at 9 AM Pacific Time (on this page)
March 24: Lottery closes
March 24: Waiting list opens (for those who missed the lottery)
April 3: Invitations to register begin via e-mail. You will have one week to complete the registration payment upon being notified.
April 24: All first-round invitations to register are completed. As cancellations occur, available retreat spaces will be offered to the remaining lottery applicants, followed by those on the waiting list.
July 12-18: Family Retreat at Deer Park
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this process.
What You'll Experience
Our Family Retreat is a retreat for families of all descriptions. Singles and couples are also welcome to attend. In this retreat we will have programs for adults, teens, tweens, and children (6 years and older), ensuring that your family will have an opportunity to deepen their experience of the practice.
Parents and adults are given the opportunity to explore the practice through activities such as Dharma Sharing, Total Relaxation, and Dharma Talks, while younger ones will get to experience age-appropriate mindfulness activities and sharing circles of their own.
One of the wonderful things about our late teacher Thich Nhat Hanh and Deer Park Monastery is that the teachings we offer are accessible to everyone. Whether this is your first meditation retreat or whether you’ve been to many, whether you’re an older adult or whether you’re a teen… you may find that your retreat here at Deer Park will be memorable and insightful.
In this retreat, the adult program is for ages 18 and older; while the teen program is for those age 13-17; the tween program covers ages 10-12; and the children’s program will be for ages 6-9. Children 5 years old and younger may attend the retreat. However, these youngsters will require parental supervision at all times, as there is no official program for this age group.
Sample Schedule
6:00 AM Morning Sitting Meditation
7:00 Walking Meditation
7:45 Breakfast
9:00 Working Meditation
11:00 Dharma Talk
12:30 PM Lunch
2:00 Total Relaxation
3:00 Dharma Sharing
5:00 Exercise Time
6:00 Dinner
7:30 Evening Mindfulness Activity
Family Retreat Cost Per Individual:
- Bring Your Own Tent – Adult $510 | Teen $408 | Child $270
- 6 Bed Dorm Space – Adult $660 | Teen $528 | Child $330
- 3 Bed Dorm Space – Adult $900 | Teen $630 | Child $408
Adult: Ages 18+
Teen: Ages 13-17
Child: Ages 6-12
Ages 0-5 are welcome to attend with a registration fee of $5
For cancellations made prior to arrival day, partial refunds will be available with a cancellation fee of $60 per person 6 years of age and older. Cancellations made on or after the retreat arrival day do not qualify for a refund. Registration is non-transferable.
Volunteers WelcomeWe welcome you to apply to volunteer for the Family Retreat (July 7-19). Applications are due by June 7.
Learn More & Apply 
