ACCESSIBILITY
All of Pearlstone’s public and common areas are accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. Many of our outdoor areas, however, are not. Pearlstone has 6 accessible lodge rooms equipped with accessible bathrooms, strobe fire alarms, lower closet bars, and roll-in showers. If desired, please notify your event coordinator.
ALCOHOL
Alcoholic beverages specifically authorized by the Retreat Center for social and religious events are the only permitted alcoholic beverages. Individual personal possession or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs is strictly prohibited. If Pearlstone authorization is given, the group is responsible for supplying its own alcoholic beverages, but they need to be kosher-mevushal and approved by the Pearlstone Mashgiach.
CAMPFIRES
The campfire area is available with prior arrangement and subject to county burn restrictions. S’mores ingredients can be provided as one of the scheduled snacks. Start times and fire length may be limited in order to accommodate more than one group.
We ask that you follow some guidelines to insure everyone’s safety:
1. Fire is limited to, and must be contained within the designated area.
2. It is the responsibility of the group to start their own fire; matches will be provided.
3. Seating areas must remain in their places.
4. Burn only the provided firewood.
5. Never leave any fire unattended.
6. Put out fire completely when finished.
7. Make sure campfire area is cleaned up after use. If necessary return in daylight to clean.
CANCELLATIONS
If the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center is open, accessible and prepared to serve guests, but guests are concerned and cancel because of weather reports or conditions or for other reasons, the Group is still bound to the cancellation policies specified below:
- If a group has made their 50% deposit (at 90 days), and subsequently cancels an event, it will forfeit its 90 day deposit.
- If a group has provided a minimum numbers guarantee (at 30 days), and subsequently cancels an event, it will be responsible for the full estimated bill.
- Any payment due to cancellation shall constitute liquidated damages, and shall not constitute a penalty.
CANDLES
Shabbat, Havdallah, and holiday candles are provided by Pearlstone, and may be lit in the designated area in our dining room. Pearlstone does not allow the use of candles in any other indoor areas.
CHAPERONES
Pearlstone requires that all children under the age of 13 be supervised by an adult at all times while on our campus. Teens must have a 1:10 staff ratio, and a representative who is responsible for supervision.
CHECK IN-CHECK OUT
Check in for overnight rooms begins at 3pm. Check out is by 10am. If facilities are available, and with prior arrangements, early check in and late check out may be arranged.
COMPUTER ROOM
Three computers are available for guest use and are located in the main building and accessible during building hours. Wireless internet is available at no cost throughout the facility.
FOOD SERVICES
All of your food services will be coordinated with you by our events coordinator. Pearlstone has delicious Kosher food menus designed with your group in mind. WITH ADVANCED NOTICE, Pearlstone will attempt to accommodate any special dietary restrictions of our guests, and we are proud that we can prepare vegan and vegetarian options and cater to most types of dietary preferences. Pearlstone is also happy to provide kid-friendly alternatives at every meal with advanced notice. The success of your event and of our ability to accommodate your needs depends on timely responses to the retreat planning guidelines, and any inquiries by our event coordinator!
HOURS
The main building opens Sunday through Thursday at 7:00am and closes at 10:30pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, the main building opens at 7:00am and closes at 11:00pm. Lounges and outside seating areas are available for after hours activities. Early openings and late closings are available with prior notice and for an extra fee.
LINENS
Guest linens are provided by Pearlstone, each room will have sheets, pillow & case, blanket, and 1 towel set for each guest. Linens are changed every 3 days.
MEETING ROOMS
Generally groups are assigned 1 large and 2 small rooms. Pearlstone will assign rooms based on the size of the group and setup needs. Timely information is vital to meeting space assignment. Additional rooms can be reserved for an extra fee. All of our rooms are air conditioned and heated for your comfort. A listing of meeting rooms, capacities, and furnishings, as well as diagrams of typical room arrangements can be found on page 7.
OFFICE SERVICES
The main office has a fax and copier that can be utilized by guests for a fee. Each group leader will be provided with their group’s assigned copier code upon arrival.
OTHER GROUPS
Unless a group has arranged for exclusive use in their contract, Pearlstone is likely to have multiple groups in residence. Please be considerate of other guests sharing the facility. Timely information regarding dining & meeting preferences will help us to accommodate each group’s needs. Equipment and ritual items are limited, and are assigned on a first request, first served basis.
OUTDOOR AREAS
Pearlstone has comfortable outdoor seating and is surrounded by miles of beautiful, well marked hiking and walking trails. A trail map is available in the lobby. Pearlstone has 10 acres of organic farms, with two greenhouses and is home to goats and chickens in our animal pasture. Kayam, our farm program offers farm tours, hikes, ropes courses and classes on numerous topics. Please contact Kayam for further information.
PARKING
Parking for all group participants and staff is restricted to the parking lot. The circular drive is to be used only as a loading and unloading zone. If there are no more designated parking spaces available in the lot, guests can begin to park on the grassy circle across from the tool sheds. Please do not park in the fire lane across from the main entrance, or blocking the loading dock.
PETS
No pets except guide dogs are allowed on the Pearlstone campus.
PLAYROOM
Pearlstone has a designated play area located on the lower level. This area is open to all of our guests at any time when the main building is open. There are toys and games and comfortable seating for parents and children. THIS IS NOT A DROP OFF AREA! Children MUST be supervised at ALL times by an adult. We require that you clean up after yourselves each and every time you use the Play Room.
QUIET HOURS
Quiet hours are in effect from 11pm-7am daily. Groups participating in activities during quiet hours must be considerate of sleeping guests.
SPORTS AND RECREATION
Volleyballs, basketballs, frisbees, ping pong and various board games are available for your enjoyment.
SEVERE WEATHER
In the event of severe weather, the activity center lower level can be used as a shelter. Pearlstone has backup generators for essential power needs, and our own plow for the parking areas and roadway leading to the campus. If you have questions about weather related closings, please see “cancellation policy.”
SHABBAT
Pearlstone is a Jewish institution which hosts groups from all religions, races, and persuasions. The Jewish Sabbath begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown Saturday. Facilities at Pearlstone are open and operating during this time, but a few of our services are limited. Jewish guests at Pearlstone during the Sabbath appreciate the respect of other groups for this day of peace and tranquility. Please refrain from playing loud or electronic music. Pearlstone has various prayer books and ritual items such as havdallah sets, Shabbat candles, Kiddush cups, but we only have one Sefer Torah. If you have one you can bring, please let us know. The torah is assigned based on first come-first served basis
SMOKING
Smoking is not allowed inside any of the campus buildings. Ash receptacles are located outside of the main entrance. Please help us keep clean by disposing of butts.
TOILETRIES
Each room has soap and a shampoo dispenser. Pearlstone maintains a limited supply of other emergency toiletries along with irons, hairdryers and baby monitors. If a guest has forgotten something essential they can inquire in the office.
TRASH & RECYCLING
All paper products are recycled at Pearlstone. Recycling bins and trash receptacles are available throughout all of our buildings. We ask that our guests take part in keeping the facility tidy by disposing of trash such as cups, napkins etc. If your room cans are overflowing, please tie up the bag and place it into one of the larger public receptacles, or the dumpster located behind the loading dock.