SWSC_2026_Welcome_Guide

SOUTHWEST SUFI CAMP

2026

WELCOME GUIDE "To each of you I offer these words of counsel: Deepen your compassion. Love the wounded places in you that need healing.

Open yourself to the grace of illumination. Give freely of your joy. Share your neighbor’s burden. Through all these avenues, discover your soul."

Pir Moineddin Jablonski

WELCOME The Residents and Supporters of the Southwest Sufi Community are thrilled to welcome you to the Land of Pir Moineddin's Vision.

Welcome to the Southwest Sufi Camp 2026

The Sacred Manuscript of Nature Included in this document:

Community Guidelines Wellness Policy Arrival Information Things to Bring Amenities Departure Information Summer Camp Registrar: waduda@ruhaniat.org We look forward to being together on the Land!

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COMMUNITY GUIDELINES 1) ENTRY & PARKING: When you arrive, follow the signs to proceed directly to the Retreat Center and park in the designated parking area.

2) ORIENTATION: See the Camp Registrar at the Retreat Center to sign in. The Registration Desk will be located in the Ramada on the back side of the Retreat Center.

3) OUTHOUSES: Outhouses are located down hill from the Retreat Center and in the Dance Meadow. Please "leave them as you'd like to find them" by keeping them neat and clean.

4) DRINKING WATER: Drinking water is available by the Retreat Center from the spigots in the yard and on the water table by the Ramada. The water comes from an artesian spring that runs year-round.

5) WATER WASHING STATIONS: These are located by the Retreat Center and by the outhouses.

Please wash your hands well and often.

6) SHOWERS: There are two indoor hot water showers available at the Retreat Center. There are two additional hot water showers in the camping meadow. Our utilities run on solar, so please be brief, clean up after yourself, and always turn lights off when you’re done.

7) WADING IN THE CREEK: The water in Bear Creek is okay for wading and swimming, but not for drinking. Children must be supervised at all times while at the creek.

8) CAMPING: Please camp in the designated area in the Dance Meadow on the left or right side of the road. For your safety, please do not camp on the sand in or near the creek. Follow wilderness camping guidelines: don’t ditch around your tent as this can cause soil erosion; leave no trace of your campsite; pack out whatever you pack in; and don’t leave trash for others to take out.

9) CAMP KITCHEN: The Head Cook and the Assistant Cooks are in charge of the kitchen during Camp. The Beverage Person serves coffee from the kitchen porch before breakfast. Please ask for whatever you need from the Kitchen Staff and they will do their best to accommodate.

10) FOOD: This is a remote area and the potential for animals being drawn to your food is high.

Outside, keep your food in your car with the windows up or tie your food in a tree, hanging away from the trunk. Do not throw food scraps on the ground; use only designated compost buckets.

11) SMOKING: Smoking is only permitted at the designated smoking area on the south side of the Retreat Center. It is very important to be aware of the danger of fire on the Land.

12) FIRE: Open fires and stoves or heaters with open flames are not permitted without approval.

Please do not use incense, candles, or open flame lanterns outdoors or when camping unless it is a part of a ceremony or practice with prior approval. Incense and candles may be used indoors only when they are under the direct observation of an adult (person 18 years of age or older). This is a very dry area and it is important to be careful with fire.

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COMMUNITY GUIDELINES 13) HUNTING/FIREARMS: Firearms are not allowed and no hunting of any kind is permitted on the Land.

14) WILDLIFE: Please respect any wildlife you may see or encounter. The extensive riparian area is home to diverse flora and fauna, with regular visits from migrating birds. Resident wildlife includes squirrels, chipmunks, lizards, deer, rabbits, quail, dove, blue heron, javelinas, foxes and coyotes, rattlesnakes, bears, and mountain lions.

15) PETS: While we love all animals, visiting pets are not allowed on the Land.

16) SNAKES & INSECTS: We have black-tailed rattlesnakes in the area. They are generally nonaggressive and have a beautiful green and gold color with a diamond pattern on the back. They like closed in-spaces and in the late morning usually lay in direct sunlight. If you see a snake, please leave it alone and tell the Camp Manager where it was seen. Scorpions, fire ants, spiders, and kissing bugs are also present on the Land. It’s a good practice to shake out your clothing and shoes prior to putting them on and to check your bedding in case any of these have nestled in.

The kissing bug looks like a large watermelon seed with an elongated snout. Some people have adverse reactions to their bites.

17) CHILD SAFETY: Children are prohibited from entering the tool shed, barn, and any equipment room. Children may be in the Community kitchen, a worksite, or within 100 feet of Bear Creek only when accompanied by a supervising adult.

18) FIRST AID: Some herbal and other first aid supplies are kept in the utility room off the Retreat Center kitchen. “Universal Precautions” are followed as a part of first aid practices and health awareness. With incidents involving any blood spills, please ask the Camp Manager or Community Residents for assistance.

19) MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROTOCOL: SSC is rustic and remote. There is no doctor on the Land. If necessary, it is the responsibility of all visitors, retreatants, and participants to seek their own medical treatment and treatment for minors in their custody. The nearest formal medical treatment is an hour away in Silver City.

20) PHONES & INTERNET: There is no cell phone reception on the Land and a public phone is not available. If you wish to use your cell phone, you may try driving up the hill to find reception on the mesa. Internet is available only in case of emergency.

21) HISTORICAL/ ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: Sites from the past may be found on the Land and surrounding area. These sites may be noted and photographed but not disturbed.

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COMMUNITY GUIDELINES 22) SACRED SITES: The Dargah Burial Ground located across Bear Creek is considered to be specifically Sacred Ground. This area includes the Dargah of the Founder of the SSC, Murshid Moineddin Jablonski. There is a small retreat hut near the Dargah that may be occupied during Camp. Please respect the privacy of the occupant and keep a respectful distance.

23) GOATS: There is a herd of goats living on the Land. Please watch out for them when you arrive.

Always drive very slowly (vehicles may frighten them) and keep a respectful distance.

24) PRIVATE RESIDENCES: Kindly respect the privacy of SSC Residents by keeping to the main roads and not venturing into private driveways, yards, or homes.

25) WE ARE ALL GUESTS OF THE LAND: Visitors are invited to hike and explore while practicing “Leave No Trace” ethics. For the sake of safety, hikers are encouraged to go with a partner and must always inform another person at SSC where they intend to hike. Removing anything from the Land, including pottery shards and plants, is not permitted. A core value of the Community is respect for the sacred manuscript of nature, including the ideal of mindfulness and doing no harm to any living beings that share the Land.

WELLNESS POLICY Thank you for helping us hold a healthy event by: 1. Attend only if you are in good health. Please refrain from joining us if you are feeling ill before Camp or have been exposed to someone who has been ill. If you can’t attend due to illness you may contact us by email waduda@ruhaniat.org to receive a credit toward next year’s Summer Camp.

2. If possible, avoid large gatherings the week before Camp. One of the best ways to ensure you haven’t been exposed to illness is to be very cautious the week before arriving on the land.

3. Wearing a mask or taking a COVID test before or during Camp if it feels appropriate to you. Masks and testing are not required. We will have masks available for those who choose to use them. Every individual is strongly encouraged to take responsibility for their own health while also being respectful to the choices of others.

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UPON ARRIVAL CHECK-IN IS FROM 1 PM - 5 PM MDT ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH. Directions to the SSC will be provided via email one week prior to Camp. Please arrive only during check-in hours on Tuesday, September 15th.

Attendees are expected to arrange their own transportation to Camp. If you need a ride or wish to offer one, you may use this link to access the Ride Share Board.

When you arrive at SSC, drive slowly and follow the signs to the Voice of the Turtle Retreat Center.

Once parked in the designated area, proceed to the Registration Desk where you will find a map of the Land, name tags, and other pertinent information, as well as our Karma Yoga Sign-Up Sheet (we ask everyone to sign up for a Karma Yoga Task during our time together).

After sign-in you will be directed to your room or the Dance Meadow where our Bell Tents and Camping Area are located.

Camp begins... at the Retreat Center Ramada with dinner at 5:30 PM.

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THINGS TO BRING AND INFO TO CONSIDER The weather in September can be unpredictable. Evenings and mornings are likely to be chilly. Dress accordingly by bringing layers and extra blankets.

If camping in your own tent, you may wish to bring a rain fly/tarp, chair, and/or mat.

Bring sandals for the creek and shoes suited for walking on uneven ground.

Pack your water bottle, swimsuit, sun hat, sunscreen, rain poncho, towel, toiletries, and flashlight, camp lamp, or headlamp with extra batteries.

Bring a cooler with ice packs if you plan to have food items that need cooler temperatures.

The Land is truly wild! If you choose to bring your own food items, be sure they are well-stored to prevent unwanted attention from critters.

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AMENITIES FOOD & DRINK We will be serving three superb vegetarian meals a day at the Retreat Center Ramada.

Coffee and tea will be served each morning.

Fresh spring water for drinking is available at the Retreat Center from the spigots in the yard or on the water table by the Ramada.

Refrigeration is not available on the Land, but you are welcome to bring your own cooler.

SHOWERS & BATHROOMS There are two hot water showers available at the Retreat Center, and two in the camping meadow. Our utilities run on solar, so please be brief, clean up after yourself, and always turn lights off when you're done.

Outhouses are available in the Dance Meadow and just down from the Retreat Center. Please clean up after yourself and follow the instructions on the signs.

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AMENITIES CELL PHONE RECEPTION There is no cell phone reception on the Land. If you wish to use your cell phone, you may try placing a call over satellite internet at the Retreat Center or driving up the hill to find reception on the mesa.

INTERNET ACCESS There is limited Hughesnet satellite internet access available at the Retreat Center during Camp. You may or may not be able to place or receive a phone call using your cell phone on this system.

ELECTRICITY The Land is entirely off-grid. Electricity is possible only with solar systems, which means our capabilities are minimal. Please be mindful by turning lights off when not in use and refraining from running or charging electronics after dark and/or on cloudy days.

SHOPPING AT THE CAMP BAZAAR One afternoon during Camp, Residents of the SSC will set up a small shop in the Retreat Center where you’ll be invited to purchase their offerings. 10% of their proceeds will be donated to the SSC. WWW.SOUTHWESTSUFICOMMUNITY.ORG

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UPON DEPARTURE CAMP ENDS WITH LUNCH AT NOON ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH Please clean up after yourself, leaving your room, tent, or camp site in as good condition as it was when you arrived.

Consider leaving dana (meaning generosity or giving; a voluntary expression of appreciation and gratitude) for our Teachers and Kitchen Staff. A jar will be made available at the Registration Desk.

Extended stays on the Land may be possible with prior permission from our Host Coordinator. Email registrar@southwestsuficommunity.org in advance if this is of interest.

Still have questions? Be sure to email registrar@southwestsuficommunity.org with your inquiries and we'll be happy to help.

Many blessings and safe travels...

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