Retreat Program Schedule Timelines:

For details, please click “Main Schedule” button above.

The Young Adult program will have special sessions with guest speakers, who will share their experience along with relevant topics that will captivate young adults. Additionally, there will be unison singing, interactive workshops, that will target various challenges in different stages on a youth’s life, including college, as well as games/activities. Please note, YA programs are strictly for YAs. SSSE Group 4 students only may attend specific sessions.

All Sri Sathya Sai Educare (SSSE) students will be involved in age appropriate Seva activities.

Ages
Sri Sathya Sai Educare (SSSE) program for children in grades 1 – 12 are divided as follows: Group 1 (Grades 1-3), Group 2 (Grades 4-6), Group 3 (Grades 7-9) and Group 4 (Grades 10-12). All SSSE children are required to attend SSSE activities at the retreat.

Activities

Please click SSSE Schedule above for activity details.

Note:

As you make choices, always remember that the Sai Retreat is a spiritual retreat. Swami expects punctuality and discipline.

Please follow retreat and campsite safety rules as outlined on the home page.

Dress Code: Swami expects all students to be well groomed and appropriate for the occasion. Traditional / modest clothing that does not draw one’s attention to the body is mandatory.

For girls: Modest/traditional clothing (no bare skin, no sleeveless tops, no leggings), appropriate long pants or long skirt, with appropriate top.

For boys: Long pants and a shirt/T-shirt.
Children will be asked to change if not appropriately dressed.

Parents with young children: Please do not leave children unattended. When dropping off your child to the SSSE building, please do so with a responsible adult.

Code of conduct:
No shouting, running inside buildings.
Maintain silence when requested/announced.
No talking during bhajans.

“Do not postpone the cultivation of devotion to God. Start serving God through service to your fellow-beings. Every act of service, however small, is service to the Divine.”  — Sathya Sai Sai Speaks vol16 page 18, 1983

The retreat is made possible by the efforts of many dedicated volunteers. Devotees are encouraged to volunteer for any seva opportunity that appeals to them. To practice Unity in Thought, Word and Deed, all volunteers are requested to follow-up on their commitments. This is your commitment to Swami.

Please review carefully the service opportunities that are briefly outlined including the timings. Note as you volunteer, you might have to miss some of the programs as the timings of some service opportunities might conflict with the main program. Most activities (except SSE Teachers) require 2 to 3 hours of commitment.

List of Service Opportunities (more to come…)

Audio System Support
This group takes care of the Audio system requirements during the retreat. They help transport, setup and monitor sound systems in Devotion Hall, SSE programs, Young Adults meeting room and workshop venues.

Site Setup
Committed volunteers are needed to transform the campsite into an atmosphere where all can enjoy an uplifting, spiritual experience. This is done on Friday. Setup needs to be completed prior to our first bhajan session on Friday evening. A large number of volunteers are needed in the devotion hall to help with setting up of the altar, decorations and seating arrangements. Volunteers are also needed to help place signs and banners throughout the campsite for easy navigation. Assistance is needed in transferring groceries / supplies to the kitchen area and in setting up the dining hall.

Site Cleanup
We all want to leave the camp and head home as soon as possible but our goal is to leave the site in a better condition than when we arrived. If you can stay back and help with the camp cleanup, it would be greatly appreciated. Please note that this is a much needed service. We are very grateful to those who assist in our retreat’s closing activities.

Devotion Hall Maintenance
Maintenance of the devotion hall, including ushering of devotees, preparing for programs/workshops, etc.

Dining Hall
This service involves setting up and keeping the dining area clean and lovingly serving all devotees. Please note that this seva does not involve cooking. Do not check off this service if you are participating in cooking a meal with your center at the same time.

Kitchen
Support staff for service opportunities in the kitchen.

Medical Clinic (On call doctors and support staff)
On call doctors and support staff to deal with medical emergencies (this is different from the health camp that is open in the morning hours for preventive care).

Multimedia (Audio/Visual)
Multimedia support for devotional activities, workshops, hybrid retreat management etc..

Parking Lot/Main Gate
This is the first impression that devotees will get of the retreat. After a long journey, seeing a friendly, helpful parking attendant will go a long way in making the devotee feel welcome.

Photography
Capturing campsite events for posterity.

Sanitation
These volunteers keep an eye on the rest rooms and other areas. Supplies and other resources will be provided.

Service Desk
These volunteers will be at the service desk which forms the central point of contact for devotees for all their needs. Service desk functions include matching attendees to the service activities they have committed to, serving as lost and found, disseminating messages, managing emergencies, dispatching external transportation where needed, etc. They will ensure that problems with cabins are dealt with appropriately. They will have directions and information about nearest hospitals, hotels, bus stations, supermarkets, and other facilities.

Shoe Service
In the devotion hall, help is needed in arranging and maintaining the shoes in an orderly fashion.

SSSE Teachers and Support

SSSE Teachers will be working with SSSE children. Please note that you will miss some of the main program and/or bhajans. For additional information, please contact Sister Alpa Uchil, Regional SSSE coordinator at education.region2@sssgc-usa.org

SSSE Support involves assisting the teachers and supplying SSSE students with snacks and water in the afternoon and during Sai Games. It also involves helping the SSSE children in their games and activities.

Swami’s Room
Volunteers are needed to maintain the tranquility around Swami’s room in two-hour slots from early morning till late evening.

Transportation (External)
This group takes care of rides to/from the nearest bus station, airport etc.

Videography
This is an aspect where memories created are kept for a many years after the event. This will be a major service to all the devotees who are unable to attend the retreat or who were providing valuable seva in the areas identified in this section. Retreat videos are posted on the regional website. If you have camcorders/video equipment and are good at using them, then please consider signing up for this seva.

God will not ask you, when and where you rendered service? He will ask with what motive you did it. You may boast about the quantity, but God seeks quality, the quality of the heart, the purity of the mind, the nobility of the motive. The Lord is pleased only when you do the things He desires. How else can you win His grace, but by nursing and nourishing His children.
— March 19, 2008 Thought for the Day

Baby Cap Service

This community service initiative focused on creating handmade baby caps using knitting looms. These caps will be donated to a local children’s hospital to provide warmth and comfort to newborns and infants in need.This initiative is open to men, women, and children of all ages. No prior experience or specialized skills are required. The activity is beginner-friendly,with supplies, instructions,  and guidance provided to ensure that all participants can contribute meaningfully.

NICU Crib Mattress Cover

This community service activity will focus on creating crib mattress covers for infants. These will be donated to the local NICU hospitals to provide comfort to the new born children in need. This is a hands-on service activity.

Supplies and instructions will be provided. Sewing experience is completely optional. This activity is open to men, women and YAs.

Reusable Sanitary Pad Kit Service

This community service activity will focus on creating reusable sanitary pads for girls and women in underserved communities. Our Sai team has previously undertaken similar large-scale pad preparation efforts in Puttaparthi, and this workshop allows us to continue the mission with love and practical action. 

During this hands-on workshop, we will cut, prep, and assemble high-quality reusable pads.

This is a hands-on service activity. 60% of the work involves prepping the pad components and only 40% involves sewing the final pads. Hence sewing experience is completely optional. 

Supplies and guidance will be provided. 

This activity is open to women and Female YAs.

For sign up, please click here

Blood Drive service is being organized on Sunday May 24th at the Retreat from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Blood Drive agency will come with their bus and the equipment to collect blood.  Donors should be 17+ years of age, and should not have traveled to a malaria-endemic area (including the Indian Subcontinent) within the last 3 months.

For sign up, please click here

Accommodations 

Campsite accommodation is very limited and retreat participants are encouraged to register early to ensure overnight accommodation.

Campsite accommodations are in cabins with lower and upper bunk beds for 8 to 16 people. Men and women stay in separate cabins. Young boys under age 6 can stay with their mother, however boys 6 and over will need to stay with father or a male guardian. Its recommended that children and young adults occupy upper bunks to allow elderly and adults to occupy lower bunks. You will also need to bring your own bedding (sleeping bags or bed sheets, pillows, blankets etc.).

Families preferring to stay together or with special health or other requirements may want to make reservations at hotels nearby.

The cabins are not heated. Nights at retreat camp site can get cold. We recommend that you bring a few personal items to ensure that your stay at the retreat is comfortable and safe. Items should include warm clothing, coat, raingear, walking shoes, towel, toiletry including hand soap, flashlight, alarm clock, insect repellent, cushion, pen, notebook and water bottle.

Offsite accommodations
Devotees who choose to stay offsite are responsible for making their own arrangements. During Memorial Day hotel room availability is at a premium. Please call early to ensure accommodation during this busy vacation weekend. The following is a partial list of hotels close to the retreat site:

Hampton Inn Quakertown( Discount code is SAI )
1915 John Fries Highway, Quakertown, PA, 18951
215-536-7779
8 miles from camp

Direct link with Coupon Code : Click here

Holiday Inn Express Quakertown
1918 John Fries Highway, Quakertown, PA, 18951
215-999-2213
8 miles from camp

Econo Lodge, Quakertown
1446 West Broad Street, Quakertown, PA 18951
215-999-2213
12 miles from camp

Courtyard Philadelphia/Lansdale
1737 Sumneytown Pike, Kulpsville, PA 19446
215-412-8686
7 miles from camp

Holiday Inn Lansdale/Kulpsville
1750 Sumneytown Pike, Kulpsville, PA 19443
215-368-3800
7 miles from camp

Comfort Inn & Suites Quakertown
1905 John Fries Hwy, Quakertown, PA, 18951
866-539-0036
8 miles from camp

Doubletree Guest Suites
640 W Germantown Pk, Plymouth Meeting, PA, 19462
610-834-8300
20 miles from camp

Marriott Courtyard – Plymouth Meeting
651 Fountain Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA, 19462
610-238-0659
20 miles from camp

Retreat Check In

Upon arriving at the Camp, please proceed directly to the Registration desk and pick up your badges. There will be volunteers to assist with the luggage for the elderly. Registration will open at 3 pm Friday. Registration will close at 9 pm on Friday night and reopen Saturday morning at 7:30am. Vehicles are not allowed in the campsite and transportation help may not be available. Please make your best efforts to arrive early.

Sairam! For Layout and Map, please click the button above “Layout / Map”

Retreat Rules

The restrictions, rules and self-control are the royal roads leading to that goal of self- realization. They are not just to bind you, to limit or control you – Sathya Sai Baba.

This is a spiritual retreat. To ensure that all attendees can spiritually benefit from the Retreat, we require that everyone observe the following basic rules:

Safety Rules

Swimming pools and the lake are off limits to all retreat attendees because of safety, insurance and liability reasons. Please observe designated lights out time at night.

General Rules

Park only in the designated areas. Only authorized vehicles will be allowed to move around the campsite. Camps have underground pipes and tanks that are easily crushed as well as hilly and wet areas where cars/vans are not allowed. Please respect the campsite rules and property. Do not tamper with cabin fixtures. Stay in your assigned cabins. Do not leave children and valuables unattended. Men and women will be seated separately for all activities. Do not undertake any independent workshops or group activity. Engaging in any commercial transaction is prohibited. Please note that pets are not allowed on the camp site

Dress Code Rules

Modest clothing, suitable for an Ashram, is required at all times. No shorts, miniskirts, or tight fitting clothes are allowed. Early morning and evenings can be cold so please come prepared with sweaters and shawls.

As children will take part in outdoor play activities, sneakers and comfortable play clothes are encouraged.

Behavior Rules

Smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and possession of firearms, fireworks, and illegal substances are strictly prohibited.

For signup, please click here

Please review the retreat information on the website before starting the registration.

1. Every one attending the retreat must pre-register. There will be no walk-ins or onsite registration.

2. Camp stay accommodation is limited, please register early if you want to stay inside the camp.

3. Please use this form to register members of a single family. There are no charges for children below the age of 6, and discounted charges for children between 6 – 12. However, ALL children must be registered.

4. For Retreat Pricing (Rate per person including food), please refer “Regional Retreat Registration Charges” section below.

5. For those registrants who choose “No Camp Stay” should make their own arrangements for the stay.

6. This year we are accepting electronic payment through Zelle only. Most banks provide Zelle as a money transfer option (you do not need a Zelle account). If you are unable to use Zelle, please ask a friend or one of your center officers to send Zelle payment for you and you can reimburse them.

7. For Zelle payments, payable email address is sssgc.mar2@gmail.com. Please ensure to add “SSSGC Retreat 2026”, your name, email address and phone number in the memo section

8. Registration closes on 5/15/2026. Your Registration is not complete until your payment has been received.

9. If you have any questions, please use the contact us form on the website.

For registration, please click here