Event Description

Introducing the YJA Seva Retreat — a brand-new, 3-day immersive opportunity for youth to engage with the wider community through selfless service.

📍 When & Where Is It?

This year's YJA Seva Retreat will be held in the Washington DC area during the July 18th-20th weekend.

📋 What Can I Expect?

As a part of this cohort, attendees will experience a blend of offsite service activities, talks from community leaders and NPO executives, and solution-oriented reflections on issues facing the world today. Our goal: engaging in impactful service and learning more about local communities affected, ultimately making each attendee a more informed and empathetic citizen and Jain. All attendees will receive a certification of volunteer hours for their service.

🙋‍♀️ How Can I Join?

The application deadline has passed. Those selected to attend will receive an email and will be able to register. If you have not received an acceptance email, please do NOT register. You will not be allowed to attend retreat.

Upon selection, a $120 registration fee will be required. The registration fee includes accommodations, meals, educational materials, retreat merchandise, access to all sessions and activities for the weekend, and much more. Any extra transportation costs are not included. Each attendee will be responsible for the cost of their transportation to the retreat venue. YJA will help coordinate transportation and carpool, as available.

📢 Note: attendance is limited to YJA members 18-29 years of age (attendees must be 18 as of July 18th, 2025).

Cancellation Policy

We understand sometimes your plans may change or things may come up. If you need to cancel your registration, here’s our cancellation policy:

If you cancel your registration at least 14 days before the retreat start date, you are guaranteed a 50% refund of your registration. If YJA is able to fill your spot, we will then issue a 100% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 14 days of the retreat start date.

YJA reserves the right to change or cancel retreat plans due to any unforeseeable circumstance. YJA will do its best to refund attendees, but does not promise any refunds in such situations. YJA is not responsible for any charges associated with these changes or cancellations (travel, accommodations, etc.).

Please email us at seva@yja.org if you would like to proceed with a cancellation or have any questions!

What is Seva? Seva is selfless service, the idea that we will give to others without an expectation of getting something in return. For Jains, this is a form of Ahimsa (non-violence) and a way in which we can practice compassion to all living beings.