PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

Dearest forest family members and guests,

As you prepare to join us at Just Love Forest, we want to first say how grateful we are for your presence. This land and community are rooted in care, respect, simplicity, mindfulness, and connection with nature and one another.

Part of creating a safe and harmonious environment together means being clear about the responsibilities, risks, and agreements that come with participating in retreats, gatherings, volunteer days, ceremonies, and outdoor experiences in a natural setting.

By signing or agreeing electronically below, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the following terms for the mutual well-being, safety, and care of everyone involved.

In consideration of being permitted to participate in retreats, gatherings, workshops, volunteer activities, outdoor experiences, ceremonies, wellness offerings, and other programs hosted by Just Love LLC, doing business as Just Love Forest, Just Love Forest Ashram Inc., Bala Yancey, Nivay Sahaye, co-hosts, facilitators, volunteers, contractors, guest teachers, employees, landowners, and representatives (collectively referred to as “the Hosts”), I acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Ecological and Cultural Stewardship of the Land

Just Love Forest is approached as a living ecosystem and place of care, reverence, reciprocity, and stewardship. Participants are asked to engage with the land, wildlife, plants, waters, stones, and natural surroundings with mindfulness, gentleness, and respect.

Participants agree not to intentionally damage, cut, carve, remove, collect, harvest, disturb, or take anything from the natural environment without explicit permission from the Hosts in advance. This includes, but is not limited to, trees, branches, plants, flowers, mushrooms, fungi, stones, feathers, bones, wood, tree clippings, stream or spring water, natural objects, artifacts, or other materials found on the land.

Foraging, harvesting, wood cutting, digging, or removal of natural objects from the property is not permitted unless specifically authorized as part of a guided activity or approved project.

Participants also agree not to chase, capture, harm, harass, feed, or intentionally disturb wildlife. When insects, spiders, or other creatures enter tents or shared spaces, participants are encouraged to gently relocate them outdoors whenever reasonably possible or request assistance from the Hosts rather than intentionally harming them.

Participants acknowledge that portions of the land may contain objects, artifacts, stone arrangements, historical materials, or culturally and spiritually meaningful items, including potential Indigenous or Native American artifacts. Any such discoveries should be treated with care, left undisturbed when possible, and respectfully brought to the attention of the Hosts. Participants agree not to remove such items from the property.

Participants understand that Just Love Forest seeks to cultivate a relationship of reciprocity, care, and reverence with the land, and all guests are asked to help preserve the integrity, ecological health, cultural sensitivity, and spiritual atmosphere of the forest environment for future generations.

2. Voluntary Participation and Assumption of Risk

I understand that participation at Just Love Forest is entirely voluntary and involves inherent and unforeseeable risks associated with outdoor environments, group gatherings, physical movement, emotional experiences, travel, recreational activities, off-grid settings, and community living.

These risks may include, but are not limited to:

• • Hiking, uneven terrain, slippery surfaces, falling branches, wilderness conditions, and natural hazards
  • Exposure to weather, heat, cold, rain, insects, wildlife, plants, smoke, fire pits, and natural bodies of water
  • Physical movement activities including yoga, stretching, breathwork, meditation, chanting, dance, outdoor labor, and wellness practices
  • Tent camping, off-grid accommodations, remote locations, and limited access to emergency medical care
  • Food-related illness, dehydration, allergic reactions, exhaustion, or illness
  • Emotional discomfort, stress, interpersonal conflict, or psychological responses that may arise in community or retreat settings
  • Use of tools, machinery, ladders, vehicles, or participation in volunteer or service projects
  • Actions, negligence, or behavior of other participants or third parties
  • Travel to and from the property, including participation in voluntary carpools

I understand that these risks may result in physical injury, illness, emotional distress, disability, property damage, or death. I knowingly and voluntarily assume responsibility for all risks associated with my participation.

3. Personal Responsibility and Self-Care

I acknowledge that I am responsible for my own physical, emotional, and mental well-being during my participation.

I understand the importance of listening to my body, honoring my limits, staying hydrated and nourished, and participating according to my own comfort and ability level. If I experience discomfort, illness, overwhelm, or unsafe conditions, I will modify my participation or remove myself from the activity.

I understand that the Hosts are not licensed medical providers, psychotherapists, or wilderness guides unless explicitly stated otherwise.

I also acknowledge that it is my responsibility to disclose any serious medical conditions, allergies, injuries, or health concerns that may affect my participation or safety during the retreat.

I understand that I am responsible for carrying my own appropriate medical and health insurance coverage.

4. Children and Minors

Parents and legal guardians acknowledge that they are fully and solely responsible for the supervision, safety, behavior, care, and well-being of any minor children attending with them at all times during participation at Just Love Forest.

Parents and guardians understand that Just Love Forest is a community environment and that other participants, volunteers, facilitators, or community members are not responsible for supervising, monitoring, or caring for their children unless explicitly agreed to in advance. Any temporary assistance, interaction, or voluntary support offered by another community member does not transfer or waive the parent or guardian’s full legal responsibility for their child.

Parents and guardians agree to remain attentive to their children throughout their stay and to exercise reasonable judgment regarding their children’s participation in activities, interactions with others, and engagement with the natural environment.

Parents and guardians also agree to remain open and respectful to reasonable feedback from Hosts or community members regarding safety, behavior, noise levels, boundaries, or the overall well-being and harmony of the community environment.

5. Release of Liability

I hereby voluntarily release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless Just Love LLC, Just Love Forest, Just Love Forest Ashram Inc., Bala Yancey, Nivay Sahaye, all co-hosts, facilitators, volunteers, contractors, guest teachers, employees, landowners, and representatives from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, damages, causes of action, costs, expenses, or losses arising out of or connected with my participation in activities at Just Love Forest, including claims arising from ordinary negligence.

This release applies to personal injury, illness, emotional distress, disability, death, property damage, theft, delay, or loss of any kind.

6. Medical Care and Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, I authorize the Hosts to obtain emergency medical care on my behalf if deemed necessary.

I understand that emergency medical services may be delayed due to the rural and natural setting of the property.

I understand that I am solely responsible for any medical costs incurred and that I should carry my own health insurance coverage.

7. Transportation and Carpooling

I understand that transportation to and from events is entirely my responsibility.

Just Love Forest may help connect participants interested in voluntarily coordinating carpools for environmental, cost-sharing, or community-building purposes. However, carpooling arrangements are made solely between participants.

I understand that Just Love Forest and the Hosts do not provide transportation services, cannot guarantee rides, and are not responsible or liable for any injury, accident, loss, damage, delay, or issue that may occur during travel or participation in voluntary carpool arrangements.

8. Retreat Outcomes and Personal Experience

I understand that retreats, spiritual practices, wellness activities, educational offerings, ceremonies, community experiences, and personal growth work are inherently subjective in nature. I acknowledge that no specific emotional, psychological, relational, spiritual, financial, medical, or personal outcomes are promised or guaranteed by the Hosts.

I understand that my experience is ultimately my own responsibility and that individual results and experiences may vary significantly from person to person.

9. Tools, Equipment, and Volunteer Projects

If I voluntarily participate in service projects or use tools, machinery, ladders, vehicles, or equipment of any kind, I acknowledge that I do so at my own risk and according to my own skill and comfort level.

I understand that I am responsible for acting safely and using reasonable judgment around tools, fire, equipment, structures, wildlife, roads, and natural environments.

10. Community Care and Environmental Stewardship

Just Love Forest is rooted in respect for nature, community care, mindfulness, and mutual responsibility.

I agree to help care for the land, respect the forest environment, and treat fellow participants, neighbors, volunteers, facilitators, and Hosts with kindness and consideration. I understand that my presence and actions affect the experience of others and the well-being of the larger community environment.

I agree to practice reasonable care regarding noise levels, shared spaces, waste, fire safety, tools, wildlife, natural areas, and the overall atmosphere of the retreat environment.

Participants agree to remain open and respectful to reasonable feedback, requests, or guidance from Hosts, facilitators, volunteers, or community members regarding safety, boundaries, community harmony, environmental stewardship, or shared living considerations.

11. Community Respect, Inclusion, and Shared Harmony

Just Love Forest welcomes people from many different backgrounds, identities, cultures, spiritual paths, religious traditions, beliefs, and life experiences. We recognize that meaningful community can include differing perspectives, practices, and ways of understanding the world.

We ask all participants to engage with one another with kindness, humility, care, respect, consent, compassion, and a sincere willingness to coexist peacefully within a shared community environment.

Discrimination, harassment, intimidation, hateful conduct, abusive behavior, or repeated actions that negatively impact the emotional or physical safety of others will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, behavior based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, spiritual beliefs, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, or personal background.

We welcome thoughtful sharing, dialogue, learning, and authentic expression. At the same time, participants acknowledge that community harmony, emotional safety, and respectful coexistence are essential values of Just Love Forest. Participants agree to remain open to feedback and redirection from Hosts, facilitators, volunteers, or staff if interactions, conversations, or behavior are determined to be disruptive, harmful, coercive, aggressive, discriminatory, or inconsistent with the well-being of the community environment.

The Hosts reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to ask any participant to modify behavior, step away from an activity, or leave the property if their conduct is determined to be unsafe, harmful, repeatedly disruptive, discriminatory, or not aligned with the overall care and harmony of the community. Participants agree to comply respectfully with such requests if made.

12. Consent, Boundaries, and Interpersonal Respect

Participants agree to respect the physical, emotional, conversational, relational, and personal boundaries of others at all times during participation at Just Love Forest.

I understand that consent, mutual respect, and clear communication are essential parts of maintaining a healthy and harmonious community environment. I agree not to engage in unwanted physical contact, coercive behavior, manipulative conduct, persistent unwelcome interaction, sexual harassment, or repeated violation of another person’s stated or implied boundaries.

Participants are encouraged to communicate openly, respectfully, and honestly, while also honoring the right of others to privacy, space, differing perspectives, and personal autonomy.

The Hosts reserve the right to intervene in situations involving boundary violations, consent concerns, or interpersonal conduct determined to be unsafe, inappropriate, manipulative, coercive, or harmful to the well-being of individuals or the larger community environment.

13. Drug, Alcohol, Weapons, and Fire Safety Policy

Unless explicitly stated otherwise for a specific event, I understand that Just Love Forest maintains a drug- and alcohol-free environment.

I agree not to bring or use illegal drugs or alcohol during my participation and understand that violation of this policy may result in removal from the property without refund.

Firearms, weapons, explosives, fireworks, or dangerous devices of any kind are not permitted on the property without explicit prior permission from the Hosts.

For the safety of all participants and the protection of tents, structures, and forest land, I also agree not to use candles, open flames, propane heaters, fuel-burning devices, fireworks, incense, cooking devices, artificial heat sources, or any other flame-producing items inside tents or temporary structures unless explicitly authorized by the Hosts.

I understand that fire safety is taken extremely seriously in a forest environment and agree to follow all fire safety guidance, burn restrictions, and instructions from the Hosts during my participation.

14. Smoking Policy

Just Love Forest generally seeks to maintain a clean, natural, and smoke-free environment out of respect for the health, comfort, sensitivity, and overall experience of participants, as well as the surrounding forest environment.

If a participant chooses to smoke or vape, they agree to do so only in areas permitted by the Hosts and at a significant distance from gatherings, shared spaces, trails, tents, ceremonies, meals, and other participants. Participants are responsible for ensuring that smoke, odor, or related activity does not disrupt, alter, or negatively impact the atmosphere or experience of others.

Participants also agree to exercise extreme care regarding fire safety, cigarette disposal, ashes, matches, and any ignition source within the forest environment.

If the Hosts determine that smoking, vaping, odor, fire risk, or related behavior is negatively affecting the community environment, safety, retreat atmosphere, or comfort of others, participants agree to immediately comply with requests to stop, relocate, or modify the behavior.

Repeated disregard for smoking policies, fire safety guidance, or community requests may result in removal from the property without refund.

15. Personal Property

I understand that I am responsible for my own belongings, vehicles, valuables, and personal property during my participation.

The Hosts are not responsible or liable for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items.

16. Property Damage and Indemnification

I agree to be financially responsible for any damage to property, equipment, structures, vehicles, or land caused by my negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions.

I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Hosts from claims or liabilities arising from my own actions during participation.

Should the Hosts incur legal fees or costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to be responsible for reasonable attorney’s fees and related costs to the extent permitted by law.

17. Photography and Media

I understand that photographs, videos, or audio recordings may occasionally be captured during retreats or gatherings for community, educational, archival, or promotional purposes.

If I do not wish to appear in media, I will communicate this request to the Hosts in advance, via email at hello@justloveforest.com and reasonable efforts will be made to honor it.

18. Pets and Animals

With the exception of legally protected service animals, pets and animals are not permitted at retreats, gatherings, or events at Just Love Forest unless explicitly approved in advance by the Hosts.

If permission is granted for a participant to bring a pet or animal onto the property, the owner or handler remains fully and solely responsible for the supervision, behavior, safety, health, cleanup, and impact of the animal at all times.

Participants understand that Just Love Forest is a shared community and wilderness environment that may include wildlife, uneven terrain, other participants, tents, food areas, ceremonies, and sensitive group spaces. Owners agree to ensure that pets do not create safety concerns, excessive noise, disruption, damage, aggressive behavior, or interference with the experience or well-being of others.

The Hosts reserve the right to require that an animal be removed from the property if its behavior is determined to be unsafe, disruptive, uncontrolled, harmful, or inconsistent with the well-being and harmony of the community environment.

19. Quiet Hours and Shared Sound Environment

Unless otherwise communicated by the Hosts for a particular gathering, event, ceremony, or retreat format, quiet hours are generally observed between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Participants agree to help maintain a peaceful and restorative nighttime environment out of respect for fellow guests, the surrounding forest, and the shared retreat experience.

During quiet hours, participants agree to keep voices low and avoid activities that may disturb others, including but not limited to loud conversation, music, speakers, amplified sound, phone calls within hearing distance of tents or sleeping areas, vehicle noise, alarms, videos, or electronic devices without headphones.

Participants also agree to remain mindful that sound travels easily in outdoor and tent environments, especially at night, and to act with consideration toward the rest, privacy, and well-being of others.

The Hosts reserve the right to provide reminders or guidance regarding noise levels and shared sound considerations in order to preserve the harmony and restorative nature of the retreat environment.

20. Right to Withdraw Participation

I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I may choose to stop participating in any activity or leave the property at any time.

I acknowledge that I remain responsible for my own safety, transportation, belongings, and decisions if I choose to leave.

21. Gate Access and Emergency Exit Procedures

I understand that the entrance gate to Just Love Forest is generally kept closed and locked during retreats, gatherings, and events for purposes including safety, privacy, wildlife management, land stewardship, and the overall well-being of the community environment.

I understand that I remain free to leave the property at any time during my participation. Emergency exit instructions and gate access information are provided on-site, including access to a lockbox and gate key for emergency exit purposes if Hosts are unavailable.

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to follow posted gate procedures carefully, securely relock the gate if safely possible after exiting, and notify a Host when reasonably possible regarding any emergency exit or gate access situation.

22. Schedule Flexibility, Weather, and Activity Changes

Participants understand that retreat schedules, activities, locations, facilitators, timing, and itineraries are subject to change at the discretion of the Hosts.

Just Love Forest retreats take place in natural outdoor environments where weather, land conditions, safety concerns, group needs, facilitator judgment, or unforeseen circumstances may require activities to be modified, delayed, relocated, shortened, substituted, or canceled.

Participants acknowledge that certain experiences, hikes, ceremonies, classes, excursions, or planned offerings may not occur exactly as originally described due to these considerations. Such adjustments do not constitute grounds for refund, partial refund, or liability claims.

The Hosts will make reasonable efforts to provide meaningful alternative experiences whenever possible while prioritizing safety, community well-being, environmental stewardship, and the integrity of the retreat experience.

23. Arrival Times, Gate Coordination, and Respect for Gatherings

Participants acknowledge that arrival timing is an important part of maintaining the safety, logistical coordination, and overall integrity of the retreat environment and group experience.

By registering for a retreat or gathering, participants agree to arrive within the communicated arrival window unless alternative arrangements are explicitly approved in advance by the Hosts.

Requests for late arrival, alternate entry times, or special gate access are considered solely at the discretion of the Hosts and retreat facilitators. Due to the nature of retreat programming, ceremonies, gate access coordination, and the overall group container, such requests may be declined.

Participants understand that if they are unable or unwilling to arrive within the agreed-upon arrival window, and alternative arrangements are not approved, this does not constitute grounds for refund, partial refund, or liability on the part of the Hosts.

24. Governing Law and Severability

This agreement shall be governed by and interpreted according to the laws of the State of Georgia.

If any provision of this agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.

Any legal claim arising from participation shall be brought solely in the State of Georgia.

25. Acknowledgment

By signing or agreeing electronically, I acknowledge that:

• I have carefully read and understood this agreement
• I understand that I am waiving certain legal rights
• I voluntarily agree to participate
• I am at least 18 years old, or a parent/legal guardian signing on behalf of a minor
• I agree to all terms stated above

Thank you for helping us create a safe, respectful, and caring environment for everyone who gathers here. We are grateful to share this experience together.