Volunteer

RETREAT VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Before, during, and after a special retreat, we need additional help, so we are inviting mindfulness practitioners who have already attended a 7-day retreat (or longer) at Deer Park Monastery to apply for the volunteer program. We ask that the 7-day retreat be completed at least one month prior to your application to volunteer. Below are the available retreats currently accepting volunteers.

Mindful Music Festival Volunteer Program: May 8-10, 2026

Combined Teen Retreat and Family Retreat Volunteer Program: June 17 to July 19, 2026

Teen Retreat (only) Volunteer Program: June 17-29, 2026

Family Retreat (only) Volunteer Program: July 7-19, 2026

Vietnamese Retreat Volunteer Program: September 4-14, 2026

Please review the requirements below and apply today! 

Volunteer Requirements

We ask that applicants apply a minimum of one month prior to the volunteer program. Additionally, it is preferable if applicants have officially received a transmission of the Five Mindfulness Trainings.

For the Teen Retreat, we ask that volunteers are not parents, stepparents, or guardians of a teen attending camp. For the Family Retreat, we ask that volunteers are not the sole parent or guardian responsible for a child or teen attending the retreat. 
 
During this period of time, you are asked to set aside other responsibilities to be fully present for the program. There is no partial volunteer period and/or coming and going from the monastery during your designated program dates. Applicants pay a minimum $25 non-refundable application fee (unless your application is declined). There is also an option to contribute more financially to support the retreat.

Please be aware that many of the tasks that volunteers help us with involve physical work. Serving as a volunteer is often a rewarding and fulfilling experience, working together in joy and community. Here are some of the qualities we are looking for in volunteers:

• Ability to speak basic English (and volunteers for the Vietnamese Retreat must be able to speak Vietnamese fluently)
• Being in good physical and mental health
• Ability to listen deeply to others and be open to the ideas of others
• Being mindful and keeping calm even in difficult situations
• Working well on a team
• Capable of guiding a group in work
• Responsible, diligent, and thorough in your work
• Creative and energetic

In addition, we are looking for people with first aid experience or a medical background. Please mention any such background that you have in your application with the understanding that experience in this field is not a requirement to serve as a volunteer.
 
All volunteers are asked to follow the retreat schedule and/or their work assignment schedule. The day typically begins at 5:00 AM and ends at 9:30 PM with a rest period during each day.
 
Volunteers may be asked to coordinate and lead family groups in their assigned work. Examples of work assignments include kitchen duties, pot-washing, dining hall cleaning, meditation hall set-up, restroom responsibilities, and compost, trash and recycling. There will be regular meetings with monastic leaders to learn from each other and nourish harmony within the retreat.

HAPPY FARM VOLUNTEERING

All those interested in long-term volunteering on the Happy Farm must attend the annual 3-month Rains Retreat that begins in the Fall.  If you have questions please contact us. On the contact form, choose "Happy Farm Inquiries" in the drop-down menu under Reason for Contact to email the Happy Farm team.