Guest Information
We hope this information will help you with your stay at Five Oaks, whether you are coming to one of our programs or with a group that is renting the facilities.
Five Oaks strives to provide a safe environment for all. Please read over these policies before you arrive:
- Our policy is to be nut and scent free. Please bring nut and nut-product free foods and snacks and odour-free toiletries.
- Pets cannot be accommodated. Please leave them at home.
- Guests may burn candles with permission from the Hospitality Administrator or Program Staff. We ask you to use beeswax candles only which can be purchased in the Grand River Book Store. We can provide you with candle holders and snuffers and appreciate you arranging for these before your visit.
- To ensure safety, shoes or slippers must be worn at all times in the public rooms and hallways. Please bring appropriate footwear for indoor and outdoor use.
- Five Oaks' Alcohol Policy considers all guests. If you wish to have alcohol as part of your event, please make arrangements when booking.
- All buildings at Five Oaks are non-smoking sites. Butt buckets are supplied outside most entrances.
Five Oaks was built by volunteers whose vision was to create a Centre that offered a simple lifestyle. This was meant to remind participants that many people in our world live with much less. Our founders also believed that work is as sacred an activity as worship. As you read this, you will note that these traditions continue.
Bed linens, pillow, towel and washcloth are provided (except towels for the pool in the summer months, so please bring your own). Guests are asked to make their beds when they arrive and to strip them when they leave. Guests may want to bring an alarm clock from home since these are not provided.
Internet access connections are available to guests at 4 locations in the Main Building. Wireless is available in most of the Main Building.
Washrooms There are several private washrooms in each wing of the main building upstairs and downstairs, and one shared washroom downstairs. We are in the country on a cistern system and treat water as a precious commodity.
Chapel meditation is regularly offered weekdays at 12:15 p.m. and, by arrangement, at 7:45 a.m. and at 5:15 p.m. Labyrinths and meditation sites are also to be found on the property.
Meals are served at 8:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Coffee, tea, juice, fruit, and cookies are available at all times.
A phone is located in the front hall of the Main Building which guests can use free of charge for local calls and with their own calling card for long distance calls. There is also a phone outside the lower level of the Chalet for emergencies only. Please use a cell phone for needs beyond what we can accommodate.
Phone messages can be received during office hours and are picked up occasionally off hours. The phone number to leave with family and/or friends is 519-442-3212
