June 13, 2020 Update: Due to a variety of factors, including provincial regulations, we won't be able to have an in-person 3HO Men's Camp in 2020. If you previously registered, you'll be receiving a full refund. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
IMPORTANT FACTS
3HO Men’s Camp begins on Sunday, August 9, 2020.
Access to Camp opens at 2pm. While we're excited to see you, please don’t arrive earlier than 2pm unless you’re part of the setup team. We want to be ready to receive you!
Please register as early as possible; you’ll be guaranteed a spot in the camp and will be able to take advantage of discounted pricing. Knowing how many men to expect also makes life much easier for the organizers. It will be possible to register at the camp if we still have space available.
We’re providing a bus service between Yoga West and Khalsa Centre. Space is limited and it’s important that you register in advanced in order to be guaranteed a spot. See the Getting to Camp section for more information.
A Kundalini Yoga class will start us off at 3pm, followed by dinner to be served at approximately 5pm on Sunday, August 9.
We’ll have our our 2020 camp Opening Circle at 7pm (August 9). This is an essential part of Camp. Please be present for this gathering!
Camp wraps up at approximately 11am on Friday, August 14.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact Us by phone or email.
HOW CAN I GET TO CAMP?
ARRIVING BY BUS
We’ll be providing a bus service between Yoga West (2662 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver) and the Khalsa Centre.
You’ll need to reserve spots on the bus ahead of time by calling Yoga West (604-732-9642) or by reserving online. The cost is $20 CAD ($16 USD) each way, not including 5% GST.
🗓️ Sunday, August 9
Please arrive at Yoga West at least 15 minutes before the departure time.
12:00pm — Arriving at Khalsa Centre at about 2pm.
2:30pm — Arriving at Khalsa Centre at about 4:30pm.
🗓️ Friday, August 14
Please arrive at the bus departure point at least 15 minutes before the departure time.
11:00am — Arriving at Yoga West at about 1pm.
11:30am — Arriving at Yoga West at about 1:30pm.
12:00pm — Arriving at Yoga West at about 2pm.
RIDE SHARING
Do you need a ride, or have space in your vehicle? Please let us know. We’re happy to provide some assistance connecting drivers and passengers.
ARRIVING BY CAR
Take Highway 1 East.
Take Exit 83 - Fraser Highway East.
Follow Road (Maclure turns to McCallum).
Take a left at Highway 11.
Follow Highway 11 over the Abbotsford/Mission bridge
Take Highway 7 East Mission/Agassiz.
Follow the road to the left, then turn right on Murray Street.
Take Agassiz Highway 7 East. Drive pass Hatzik Lake; you’ll see a sign for Cascade Falls.
Turn Left at Sylvester Road (Husky Gas Station).
Follow Sylvester Road for 11 km / 6.8 miles (watch your odometer). This is a long and windy road that passes by many farms. You’ll then see a little private lake on the left and then immediately across the road a house with a crane hook mailbox. This is Hartley.
Turn left at Hartley. If you make it to Cascade Falls, you’ve gone a few kilometers too far. Turn around and head back.
Turn right at Stave Lake Road.
Khalsa Centre is at the end of the road on the right-hand side.
USING YOUR GPS
The address of the Retreat Centre (Khalsa Centre) is 14100 Stave Lake Road, Mission, BC. If you follow your GPS, it may take you to Stave Lake STREET instead of Steve Lake ROAD.
WHAT ARE THE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE?
The accommodations at Khalsa Centre consist of four residential buildings that contain shared accommodations. A mattress is provided and you’re encouraged to bring your own bedding. A limited amount of bedding is provided by Khalsa Centre.
You’re also welcome to bring your tent. A tenting area will be provided.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Leisure wear. Expect hot & cold weather, as well as rain. Nighttime and morning sadhana time can be surprisingly cold. Layer!
Loose fitting clothing for yoga & other physical activities.
Head covering (turban, cloth, chuni, hat — preferably natural fibre). A head covering is required in the Gurdwara, and advisable when practicing Kundalini Yoga.
Anything you typically use when practicing yoga (e.g. yoga mat, bolster, and sheep skin).
Running shoes or other strong shoes.
Swimsuit, if you wish to go swimming. There’s a lake nearby.
Rain gear. A Raincoat and/or an umbrella.
Bedding: a sleeping bag is probably the simplest. Mattresses are provided and a limited amount of bedding is available for people who are travelling from out of town.
Towel
Sheepskin, mat or blanket.
Meditation shawl for yoga and morning sadhana.
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, hairbrush, etc.
Canteen or plastic water bottle. No easily breakable glass bottles, please.
Flashlight
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Optional:
Small back pack
Your favourite plate, bowl or mug
Alarm clock—especially if you don’t want to miss morning sadhana at 4 am!
Restricted Substances — No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco allowed on premises. Prescription drugs for medical reasons, naturally are exceptions. Nuts and food containing nuts are not permitted on site.
Valuables — There are no facilities for locking up valuables and we don’t assume any liability for loss or theft.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD IS SERVED?
The meals are nutritious, tasty, yogic vegetarian gourmet. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included with your registration, as well as healthy snacks during the day. 3HO Men’s Camp employs experienced chefs in the kitchen. This high vibration menu is nourishing and cleansing, and effort is made to accommodate gluten and lactose sensitivity.
ARE YOU OFFERING ANY WORK EXCHANGES?
There are a limited number of full and partial work exchanges available. Some require previous experience, and others are open to men who are stepping into this role for the first time and are willing to learn.
Visit our Work Exchange page to learn more and to apply.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY AT 3HO MEN’S CAMP?
Here’s what a typical day at 3HO Men’s Camp looks like. Please note that the following schedule is subject to change.
3:30 – 4am — Wake Up
4:00 – 7:30am — Morning Sadhana (Yoga, Prayer, Meditation & Gurdwara Program)
9:00 – 10:30am — Morning Workshop
11:00am - 12:00pm — Brunch
2:00 – 5:00pm — Afternoon Workshop and Yoga Practice
5:30 – 6:30pm — Dinner
7:00 – 9:00pm — Evening Program
While you are not required to attend every program, in order to receive the full benefits of the 3HO Men's Camp Experience we strongly encourage you to go with the flow of the day’s activities. We are creating a group consciousness which is powerful and transformative. You are an important part of that!
CAN I BRING CHILDREN?
We welcome male children 8 years of age and older. If the child is under the age of 18, they must be accompanied to Camp by an adult. We have a Boys Program for children ages 8-13.
WHAT IS KARMA YOGA?
Many hands make light work and men bond with one another through working together to create our beautiful camp. 3HO Men's Camp is created annually through sharing and community service.
Karma Yoga opportunities include:
Maintaining graceful and clean group spaces.
Serving the sacred space of Gurdwara.
Maintaining the cleanliness of the land, grounds and bathroom areas.
Serving with your divine presence in our kitchen.
This annual camp is created by everyone’s radiant presence and we all join together in creating a warm, nurturing, clean and uplifting environment for all to share.
WHAT’S WITH THE TURBANS?
Historically, Turbans have been part of many spiritual traditions. There is a science and technology to wearing a turban:
Serves to wrap the 26 bones of the skull in place, giving a “cranial adjustment”.
Protects your crown chakra or Tenth Gate.
Applies pressure on points on the forehead that keep you calm and relaxed.
Protects from mental or psychic negativity.
Changes the pattern of blood flow to the brain so that you stay focused and clear.
You can wear a head covering to achieve some of the above effects but not all. Some wear turbans because they are Sikh, others because of the yogic technology stated above.
The turban of a Sikh is his or her primary identifying feature. It is a statement of belonging to the Guru, and it is a statement of inner commitment to their higher consciousness.
To learn more about the turban click here.
WHAT'S THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SIKH DHARMA AND KUNDALINI YOGA?
The ancient knowledge of Kundalini Yoga merged with the more recently created Sikh Dharma about 500 years ago.
This path of Kundalini Yoga bows particularly to Guru Ram Das the fourth of ten Gurus, who helped create Sikh Dharma. Guru Ram Das held mastery of the realm of Raj Yoga. Kundalini Yoga is a Raj Yoga, which instills a consciousness of majesty, mastery, and service. Like any good marriage, each reflects aspects of the other, while having a life of their own.
Not all Sikhs practice Kundalini Yoga; and, of course, you don't have to be a Sikh to practice or teach Kundalini Yoga!
WHAT ARE SOME SIKH TERMS THAT I MAY HEAR AT CAMP?
Guru — In the Sikh tradition, this refers to the great Eternal Wisdom which reveals the connection of the soul to the Infinite. Though historically it referred to actual persons, in this Age, a Sikh does not refer to any person as a Guru, but rather acknowledges the Shabd Guru, the Divine Sound Current as Teacher, the Eternal Vibration which breaks through illusion and connects us to our divine Self.
Siri Guru Granth Sahib — This is on the altar in the Gurdwara. It reflects the Living Dynamic Word, the Shabd Guru. Its words create a vibratory frequency which uplifts us into our higher mind, and aligns us with our destiny. The space in which the Guru is installed is a sacred space, to be entered into consciously. We bow to the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, as the Living Word, not to any human.
Khalsa —One who sees the purity in all. In the Sikh tradition it refers to one who has fully accepted all aspects of the Sikh lifestyle and is committed to living it. We expand this, though to include any person on a spiritual path who is living their values. We believe that it is the prayers and consciousness of these people all over the world who are making a difference in the consciousness of the planet.
Song Of The Khalsa — This song speaks of the strength and commitment necessary for living on this planet at this time. Though we are using the history and example of Sikhs, we sing this with the expanded concept of Khalsa in mind. Please join us.
Sat Nam — “Truth is my identity.” Sat means Truth, Nam means vibrational frequency. So, “Sat Nam” means I vibrate the Truth.
Wahe Guru — The mantra of ecstasy, expressing the realization of the Greatness of the Divine Intelligence.
Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh! — This means "My purity belongs to God and all victory goes to God!"
WHAT IS THE AQUARIAN AGE?
There have been many Ages and shift of Ages throughout the History of Humankind. The Aquarian Age is dawning and marks the transition into new ways of being within the evolution of humanity.
The vibrational frequency of the planet has been steadily increasing and we left the Piscean Age behind. The Piscean Age was ruled by machines, hierarchies and ego. The New Aquarian Age is ruled by awareness, intuition, wisdom (lived knowledge) and experience.
The mind is changing its sensitivity, its basic frequency and functioning. Our life is changing its sense of time, space, and reality. To help with these vast changes ahead we are fortunate to have the powerful technology of Kundalini Yoga at our disposal.
“The beauty of you is not in your hairdo, your turban, or your talk. These things are all temporary. Temporarily you can convince somebody, temporarily you can love somebody, temporarily you can turn on and temporarily you can turn off. But are you willing to believe that you are permanent?”