All guests: · A flashlight · Comfortable shoes (there are many realatively flat surfaces and easy walking trails, but they are unpaved) · Towels (for bath and for river) and swimsuit · Some kind of sweater, light jacket for cool, coastal evenings (Check the weather report on our directions page.) · Toiletries, including soap and shampoo for shower · Insect repellent (we have very few mosquitoes but ticks are present in the grasses and woods). Please also be aware of poison oak
Rustic and Tent Cabins: · Your own sleeping bag or sheets/blanket. We provide a bottom sheet and pillow. · Towels for bath and river. · Rustic Cabin guests have a short walk to the shower house, so easy on/off shoes are a good idea for night time.
Lodges, Circle and Cloud: · Towels for bath and river We provide sheets, pillow and a comforter on all beds in Improved Cabins and Lodges. · Guests are requested to remove their shoes inside Sunset lodge. Please bring slippers or socks if you are staying in Sunset.
General Information: We are a rustic retreat and conference center in the country with amenities that are simple but comfortable, and a spectacular landscape. All cabins are equipped and heated with wood stoves and stocked with wood and kindling as seasonally appropriate, however, nights can be chilly so please bring what you need to be comfortable walking around as well as during the night.
From May-October, we have a great swimming hole. Please note that there is no lifeguard on duty and kids 14 and under are not permitted without adult escort and supervision. Water shoes are suggested and guests need to bring a beach towel.
Pets: Sorry, but NO OUTSIDE PETS are allowed at River's Bend. Service dogs are the only exception.
First Aid: We have a basic first aid cupboard in the farmhouse kitchen. Please bring medical supplies you know you might need. Basic medical supplies can be purchased at AV Market in Boonville. The Anderson Valley Health Clinic in Boonville is open weekdays. The closest pharmacy and hospital are in Ukiah, about 45 minutes away.
Communication/Contact Info: A courtesy telephone is provided for our guests. Folks may call out to anywhere in the United States, but cannot receive calls. We welcome donations for long distance calls.
Cell Phone Policy: Some cell phones do get reception (primarily AT&T). . . however; we ask that folks use them in private as many people come up here to get away from electronics. Please plan accordingly. You friends & family can call the office at 707-895-3990, however, this phone is attended only during office hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 12 - 4 pm, Fridays 2 until 6 pm and Saturdays until 12:30 pm. Our e-mail is info@riversbend.org Guest Messageswill be delivered to group leader or pinned to office bulletin board.
Computers and Printing: We have limited band-width WIFI in our library and work tables for guests who wish to use their laptops. Our Wifi can easily handle emails, but no large file downloads, music or video streaming.
We cannot provide access to our computer. Please bring your own or plan ahead.
We do not offer printing or copying services; please take care of these needs before you come. Computer & Copy services are available in Boonville at All that Good Stuff.
Laundry: River's Bend laundry facilities are available in emergency only to guests, and with staff help. Donations for detergent, water is appreciated. There is a laundromat in Boonville.
Facility & Kitchen Usage/Meals: We cook for groups of 15 or more (often smaller groups & individuals may sign on by advance arrangement when we are preparing meals for the main group on-site). We keep the main kitchen vegetarian & occasionally grill meats outside. We can add meat to our meal service menus by request.
All improved cabins and lodges have kitchens or kitchenettes with refrigerators, basic dishes, cutlery and cooking facilities. Guests may cook meat in the improved cabins or use our gas barbeque per availability, by request and with minimal $15 charge.
We provide a "Guest" Fridge with freezer under the exterior water tower stairwell in back of the kitchen.
Groups and individuals must defer to River's Bend meal service....work around cooking schedule.We do not supply spices and other pantry items.Coffee and tea are served at River's Bend meals and available to individual guests in the kitchen by donation. If you have arranged for meal service at River's Bend, please note that we must have food allergy/special diet information at least two weeks in advance or we may not be able to accommodate you! Please call our office directly at 707-895-3990, or email- as well as your group leader to register food allergy/special diet requests. Please note that unless otherwise arranged, group retreats help do dining room set-up and dish clean up. During our site orientation we provide a “kitchen angel” dish team sign up sheet. Dishwashing and others services are available.
We ask all guests to share this place in a way that is sustainable and respectful to the land and people. BE MINDFUL OF OTHERS & LEAVE NO TRACE.