Permanent staff earns room, board and a modest monthly stipend while exploring creative ways to integrate Buddhist meditation with daily activity. Cloud Mountain offers a mix of single, double and dormitory-style rooms. Guest rooms are lighted by either propane lamps or electric lights, have single or bunk beds and small wardrobes. Toilets and hot shower facilities are in a separate building. There are toilets at several locations on the property.
Meals are vegetarian, with the main meal at midday.
Tea, fruit and light snacks are available throughout the day. Healthy, simple, well-balanced meals are served, and some dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. Retreatants are asked to assist with daily chores such as chopping vegetables, washing dishes, sweeping floors, etc. This assistance helps keep the retreat fees low. At the end of each retreat, participants are asked to clean their own rooms and to help with final clean-up, which usually takes about half an hour to complete.