At the core of Dharma Ocean’s program offerings is a commitment to support you in your journey by creating programs in which all participants are able to study and practice intensely in a safe environment. We also strive to keep program participant costs at a minimum through efficient operations.
The registration, payment, cancellation/refund, and change policies below have been developed toward these aims and are essential aspects of entering into group study and practice. As a program participant or staff member, you contribute to creating a safe, strong, and well-supported program container by understanding these policies.
Registration Policy
Online registrations
We ask that you register as soon as you can. Registration closes two weeks prior to the beginning of a program. There is significant coordination needed to welcome participants to practice groups and to send out all preparatory materials.
Residential registrations
Last minute registrations create additional administrative burden and are costly to Dharma Ocean. Registrations less than 30 days before a program starts are ideal. Registration closes two weeks prior to the beginning of a program. Please know that these registration deadlines are necessary for Dharma Ocean to be able to order food and make the necessary preparations for a program.
All retreatants are expected to participate in the entire program — this means planning to arrive on time and to stay through to the end of the retreat. Prior approval by the teacher is required for anyone with a need to arrive late or leave early. Once a retreat is in process, late entries and early departures are disruptive and place an additional burden on the staff and other retreatants.
Occasionally, there is a need to turn someone away after they have registered or for an individual to leave a program midcourse for their own welfare and/or the welfare of the program. If this occurs during a residential program, the participant will be asked to leave the practice container immediately. Dharma Ocean will help facilitate housing and transportation.
Payment Policy
Online programs require full payment at the time of registration.
Residential programs require a deposit upon registration of 50% of the total program price. The final balance is due 30 days prior to the beginning of the full program so this is when we send “balance due” reminders.
Payment may be made by credit card, check or money order in U.S. currency. If you are paying by check or money order, please send your payment to 2525 Arapahoe Ave., E4-828, Boulder CO 80302. If your deposit is not received within two weeks, your registration will be cancelled.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Cancellations and changes to registrations are extremely costly for us — especially last minute cancellations. The staff time, food ordering and budget committed to each program is based upon the number of people who have registered. Thank you for planning your retreat time carefully.
Cancellation requests must be received in writing for a refund to be issued. Requests should be sent to registrar@dharmaocean.org with the subject: Registration Cancellation Request.
There is a cancellation fee for residential programs of $100 or 10% of the total registration fee — whichever is greater. The cancellation fee for online courses is $50 or 5% — whichever is greater.
Refunds following any cancellation vary according to the date of cancellation:
- If we receive your written registration cancellation request at least 30 days before the program starts, you will receive a full refund less the cancellation fee. Donations to the scholarship fund are not refundable due to the effect on other participants.
- If we receive your written registration cancellation request between 15 and 29 days before the program starts, and you have paid in full, you will receive a 50% refund less the cancellation fee. If you have only paid the 50% deposit, no refund will be issued.
- No refunds are issued for cancellations received 14 days or less before the program starts.
Change Policy
Change requests should be sent to registrar@dharmaocean.org with the subject: Registration Change Request.
For multi-segment programs, changes that involve cancellation of one or more segments of your original registration, such as changing a registration from weeks one and two of a retreat to week one only, are treated as cancellations and are subject to the cancellation policies above.
Other changes may be made to your registration without additional fees if the change request is received at least 30 days before the program starts.
Change requests (excluding room upgrades) received between 15 and 29 days before the program starts will include a change fee of $50.
Except for room upgrades, no changes may be made less than 14 days before the program starts.
Program Cancellations
Although the need to do so is rare, we reserve the right to cancel any program. If the program is cancelled we will refund the full amount of your registration. However, we are unable to refund any travel expenses incurred.