Guest Information

What is Green Acre Bahá'í School?

It is one of three major conference centers of the Bahá'í community of the United States. It offers courses for adults, youth, and children year-round on the themes of spiritual transformation, race unity, the equality of women and men, and Bahá'í history and administration. It is unique among Bahá'í conference centers in that it received a visit in 1912 from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá not only imbued Green Acre with spiritual power but also called on Americans and Canadians during that visit to work together in harmony with followers of the world's religions and to provide the spiritual leadership necessary to achieve universal peace.

Tips for Being at Green Acre

What to Bring: For your comfort and convenience, please bring a flashlight, walking shoes, sweater or light jacket (for summer) or warm clothes, boots, hats, gloves, and heavy coats (for winter), and musical instruments.

Linens: sheets, towels and blankets are provided for those staying in on-campus housing and cabins.

Pets: Pets are not permitted

Dress Standards: during all sessions is casual, but in accordance with Bahá'í standards; no short shorts, revealing or bare shoulder tops, or cut-off jeans, please.

Recreation: To promote a retreat atmosphere of spiritual community and to foster fellowship together, we request that you leave all portable entertainment devices such as CD players and electronic game units at home. Please note that Green Acre enforces this policy during all programs and sessions designed to serve the needs of children and youth. We also request that inline skates and skateboards not be used on the campus grounds.

Cautions: Green Acre is in southern Maine and, as such, is in the heart of deer tick country and the summer is the height of the tick season. If you or your family, while visiting Green Acre, walk through the woods surrounding the campus or take trips to Monsalvat or even just walk through high grass anywhere, then you should be aware of precautions to avoid deer tick bites, the signs of Lyme disease in case you do get a bite, and what to do if it is suspected. This website will give you current information:  http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/Lyme/  You may also want to be aware of mosquito-borne diseases in the Northeast: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/eeefact.htm

Messages: While it is not possible to transfer incoming calls outside our office, our staff will be happy to accept messages for you during our regular office hours, daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.. Messages can also be left on our answering machine, which is checked frequently.

Arrival Information

Check-In: Unless otherwise noted, check-in is on Fridays from 3-6 PM; Dinner is served on Fridays from 6-7 PM. Please call if you will arrive after 7 PM. Check-out is on Sundays (fall, winter, spring) at 2 PM and Wednesdays (summer) at 2 PM. No reductions in fees can be made for late arrivals, early departures, or meals missed.

Food Service

The Great Common Denominator of any function is the food service that is offered. The Food Service Coordinator at Green Acre strives to produce the very best quality food in a setting that is haloed by nature's beauty. We can't take credit for what nature provides, but we spare no effort to provide the quality and efficiency of service that has become a tradition at Green Acre.

Special needs: Green Acre is pleased to be able to offer vegetarian options at every meal, and vegan options upon request. We also offer an extensive salad bar at all lunches and dinners.

Green Acre is not able to accommodate other special dietary requests. If this is a concern, we suggest that you bring necessary foods with you. A microwave and refrigerator are provided for your convenience. We are not able to provide kitchen access due to state licensing restrictions. Additional details are available in this food service policy letter (pdf) effective January 1, 2010.

If you or your family or guests have life-threatening food allergies, please contact the Food Service Coordinator at bwible@usbnc.org when you register.

Sample Menus

Breakfasts might include: Scrambled eggs with feta, spinach and roasted red peppers; scrambled tofu; homefries; quiche; hotcakes with bluebery sauce; French toast; bacon or sausage; hot 7-grain cereal; assorted cold cereals; granola; fresh fruit platter; yogurt; juice; coffee and a wide selection of herbal and black teas.

Lunch choices might include: A variety of sandwich fixings such as curried chicken salad, turkey and cranberry salad, homemade humus, curried tofu, seafood salad, assorted cheeses and sandwich meats — served with our warm whole grain bread. Our large salad bar is always available as an option, with as many as 15-20 selections. We offer homemade soups and occasional hot entrees such as calzones, tacos, and pizza.

Dinner entrees might include: Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa, Baked Stuffed Sole, Persian Beef and Celery Koresh, Chicken and Tofu Kabobs, and Thai Chickpeas. Assorted hot rolls, fresh vegetables, side dishes, desserts, as well as our salad bar. Vegetarian and Vegan choices are always offered, however prior notice is preferred.

Breaks: Breaks are served between meals and could include: Coffee and assorted teas, Juices and water, Muffins, Cookies, Whole fruit bowl (Apples, oranges, and bananas, or other seasonal fruits).

Bookstore

Green Acre Bahá'í School's Bookstore, located in the Kelsey Center, is open weekends September through June, on program weekends only: Friday evenings, 7:00-10:30 PM; Saturdays 1:15-5:30 PM and 6:30-10:30 PM; Sundays 10:30-12:30 PM and 1:15-3 PM. Call for any additional hours, (207) 439-7200 x7000 (Reception Desk).

Special Bookstore Item: Her Name is Green Acre is available as a CD and a cassette tape. Cassettes are $11 and CD's are $15 (with $3.95 additional for postage and handling). Enjoy music inspired by Green Acre and conveying its spirit. As an extra bonus, 100% of the proceeds of these sales go directly to the Green Acre Scholarship Fund to assist many more people to take advantage of the joys of coming to a Green Acre program. The CD features an incredible diversity of styles and artists. Please send orders in written form and enclose checks to cover the correct amount. Send to: Green Acre Baha'i School Bookstore, 938 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903.

Green Acre Bahá'í School
938 Main Street
Eliot, ME 03903
207-439-7200
fax 207-438-9940
email: greenacre@usbnc.org