A 4 day in-person gathering, with 1 or 2 trainers, and people from different cohorts where you will have the opportunity to apply what you learned, experience in-person forest therapy walks and simply connect and share experiences and stories with other guides.
In this immersion, you will:
Get a hands on experience of what you learned
Get to know trainers personally
Get to know other guides and connect
Learn from shared experiences with other guides
Deepen into the practice
Get the opportunity to ask specific questions that might come up
Once you complete this four-day immersion, your certification will be moved from provisional to permanent. You have two years after you complete the six month core training course to complete an immersion. It will help to give you a sense of the community of guides that has grown and is active throughout the world.
This is an ASL video by Deaf certified ANFT guide, Summer Crider, explaining the details of this retreat, including some video clips of the Aspen Camp location.
Gaia Sur is an eco-friendly retreat and learning center located in the heart of southern Chile's lake region. We will be surrounded by verdant forests, snow-capped volcanoes, pristine waterfalls, secluded hot-springs, and spectacular countryside - the perfect setting for a retreat intended to help us re-connect with nature, and rediscover our innate wisdom, wellness and wildness. GAIA Sur project was built to facilitate our reconnection with nature, the recovery of our forgotten and healthy wild state and by being in a place of such natural beauty, for us to be able to see the world again with eyes of enchantment. For them, to reconnect with the earth is their small contribution to a sustainable future. Gaia Sur has 27 hectares, which more than half of it is composed of primary forest. On the land there is a pond, gardens, ancient trees, hammocks, trails, native forest, reforestation, animals, orchards, ecological restoration areas and an intentional community. It is located in the Araucanía Region in southern Chile where we can find the majestic Villarrica Volcano (active). In the region you can see mountains lakes, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, forests and a great variety of flora and fauna. It is known for being an area of tourist interest for its national parks, reserves and a variety of outdoor activities, in addition to having environments surrounded by forests and special mountains for contemplation and connection with Nature. Among the outstanding parks are Vilarrica National Park, Huerquehue National Park, El Cañi Private Park, and Villarrica National Reserve. Among the lakes, Lago Villarrica, Caburgua, and Tinquilco stand out. Among the hot springs, those of Peumayen, Rio Blanco, among many others, stand out. In
Gaia Sur es un centro de aprendizaje y retiro ecológico ubicado en el corazón de la región de los lagos del sur de Chile. Estaremos rodeados de bosques verdes, volcanes cubiertos de nieve, cascadas vírgenes, aguas termales aisladas y un paisaje espectacular, el escenario perfecto para una inmersión en la naturaleza. El proyecto de Gaya Sur fue creado para facilitar nuestra reconexión con la naturaleza, la recuperación de nuestro olvidado y saludable estado silvestre y el encanto del mundo en un lugar de belleza natural. Para ellos, reconectarse con la tierra, es su pequeña contribución al futuro sustentable. Gaia Sur tiene 27 hectareas, siendo más de la mitad de bosque primario. En el terreno hay una poza de agua, jardines, hamacas, senderos, bosque nativo, arboles antiguas, reforestaciónes, áreas de restauraciones ecológicas, animales, huertas y una comunidad intencional. Se queda ubicada en la Región de la Araucanía en el sur de Chile donde se encuentra ubicado el majestuoso Volcán Villarrica, (volcán activo). Emplazado en la precordillera en medio de lagos, ríos, cascadas, termas, bosques y gran variedad de flora y fauna silvestre . Se conoce por ser una una zona de interés turístico por sus parques nacionales, reservas y variedad de actividades al aire libre, además de contar con entornos rodeados de Bosques y montañas especiales para la contemplación y conexión con la Naturaleza. Entre los parques destacados se encuentran Parque Nacional Vilarrica, Parque Nacional Huerquehue, Parque Privado el Cañi, y Reserva Nacional Villarrica. Entre los lagos, destacan Lago Villarrica, Caburgua, y Tinquilco. Entre las Termas, destacan las de Peumayen, Rio Blanco entre muchas otras.
Rooms are based on double occupancy. The price per person per day is CLP 65000 chilean pesos (Approx. USD 90 dollars)* This includes all three meals per day, starting with breakfast on day 1 and ending with lunch included on day 4. It also includes taxes, coffee, tea and snacks in the afternoon. Use of yoga room is also included. *The payment will be based on Chilean pesos. The amount in dollars may vary depending on the dollar rate of the payment date.
Las habitaciones son en ocupación doble. El precio por persona por día es de CLP 65000 Pesos Chilenos (Aprox. USD 90 dólares)*. Precios incluyen desayuno, almuerzo, snacks en la tarde y cena iniciando el día 1 con el desayuno y finalizando con el almuerzo incluido en el día 4. Incluye impuestos. El uso de la sala de yoga también está incluido. * El pago estará basado en pesos chilenos. La cantidad en dólares puede variar según la tasa en dólares de la fecha de pago.
Vegetarian Food All meals are included. Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions, the lodge will be happy to accommodate.
Comida Vegetariana Todas las comidas están incluidas. Háganos saber si tiene alguna restricción dietética, el albergue se complacerá en acomodarlo.
Transportation is not included in the price.
Fly to Araucania Airport in Temuco (South of Chile) From Araucania Airport to Gaia Sur is about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Options to get there: -
Take official taxi (Approx. USD 100 each way)* You can also share with other participants. Up to 4 people. -
Take Uber (Approx. USD 86 each way)* You can also share with other participants. Up to 4 people. -
Take the airport transfer to the city of Pucón (Approx. USD 17)* then take a uber to Gaia Sur (Approx. USD 18)* -
Rent a car: https://www.avis.cl/ https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation/ https://first.cl/ https://www.econorent.cl/ https://www.ecarent.cl/ https://www.europcar.cl/ https://www.rosselot.cl/rent-a-car/ Let us know if you need assistance with this or if you would like to share with other participants. * Prices may vary depending on the dollar rate.
El transporte no está incluido en el precio.
Vuela al aeropuerto de la Araucanía en Temuco (Sur de Chile) El tiempo para ir del Aeropuerto de la Araucanía hasta Gaia Sur es de aproximadamente 1 hora y 50 minutos. Opciones para llegar:
1) Toma un taxi oficial (Aprox. USD 100 por trayecto)* También puede compartir con otros participantes. Hasta 4 personas.
2) Toma un Uber (Aprox. USD 86 por trayecto)* También puede compartir con otros participantes. Hasta 4 personas.
3) Toma el traslado del aeropuerto a la ciudad de Pucón (Aprox. USD 17)* luego tome un uber a Gaia Sur (Aprox. USD 18)*
4) Alquila un coche: https://www.ecarent.cl/://www.avis.cl/ https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/reservation/ https://first.cl/ https://www.econorent.cl/ https://www.ecarent.cl/ https://www.europcar.cl/ https://www.rosselot.cl/rent-a-car/ Háganos saber si necesita ayuda con esto o si le gustaría compartir con otros participantes. *Precios pueden variar dependiendo de la taxa del dolar.
Once you are approved for the immersion by the ANFT Office, booking of accommodation will be done directly with the trainers responsible for the immersion. Please contact Giovanna - giobosquealma@gmail.com or Carla – terapiaflorestal@gmail.com Participants should arrive on March 31st until 12pm for check-in. The program starts at 2pm. Breakfast and lunch are provided for those who arrive in the morning.
Una vez que la Oficina ANFT te apruebe la inmersión, la reserva del alojamiento se hará directamente con las formadoras responsables de la inmersión. Comunícate con Giovanna - giobosquealma@gmail.com o Carla - terapiaflorestal@gmail.com Los participantes deben llegar el 31 de marzo hasta las 12:00 p.m para realizar el check-in. El programa comienza a las 2 pm. En el día de la llegada se proporciona desayuno y almuerzo para los que llegará en la mañana.
Internet is very poor or not available. Cell phone connection depends on the provider, but usually poor.
El internet es muy limitado o no disponible. La conexión celular depende del proveedor, pero generalmente muy limitado.
The tuition for the four-day immersion is $495. Wait to pay until you are ready to register for a specific immersion. You will have two years from the completion of your core guide training to do the immersion.
Immersion tuition does not include transportation, lodging or camping fees and food. These expenses are separate from the program costs for the four-day immersion and are the responsibility of the trainee.
IMPORTANT: Please wait until you receive enrollment confirmation before booking travel and lodging.
Tuition figures are current as of January 1 2021 and are subject to change.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and in love with the beach, the trees and music, Carla Zorzanelli has gone from a very urban and anthropomorphic way of living to a path back to a deep connection to nature and the more-than-human world. After a masters in Science at Schumacher College in the UK, she has focused on deepening her relationship to nature by becoming a certified Forest Therapy guide with the ANFT and, by researching and living into different topics like Rewilding, Deep Ecology, Shamanism, Ancient indigenous wisdoms, Jungian studies and Regeneration, and has lived in a tent in the middle of the Savannah in Africa. Currently she is bringing Forest Therapy to Brazil, where she actively guides groups. In addition, she offers nature connection courses to a variety of audiences. She is also co-founder of EcoUni, an ecological university that promotes regenerative learning with content focused on building an ecofuture and, lately, she has been giving support to the ANFT team by leading the social media strategy.
Dr, Qing Li (MD, PhD) graduated from Shanxi Medical University in China and got a PhD degree from Kagoshima University in Japan. He has studied at Stanford University School of Medicine.
He is a clinical professor at Nippon Medical School, President of the Japanese Society of ForestMedicine, Director of the Forest Therapy Society, Vice-President and Secretary General of International Society of Nature and Forest Medicine (INFOM) (https://www.infom.org).
Prof. Li is the world’s foremost expert in forest medicine and immunology. He has received Society ward from the Japanese Society for Hygiene in Forest Medicine in 2022 and University Award from Nippon Medical School in Forest Medicine in 2011 (https://researchmap.jp/read0045249?lang=en)
Some people study medicine. Some people study forest. Dr. Li studies forest medicine to find out all the ways in which walking in the forest can improve our well-being. He started the forest medicine research (Shinrin-yoku/Forest bathing/Forest therapy) from 2004 and has published many articles in scientific journals and books in forest medicine.
His book: Shinrin-yoku (https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/308285/shinrin-yoku/9780241984857.html) has been translated into 26 languages.
His book: Forest bathing (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/579709/forest-bathing-by-dr-qing-li/) was ranked in the bestseller list in the US in 2018.
Susan Abookire, BSEE, MD, MPH, FACP, is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, a practicing Internist, and a senior executive with 20 years’ experience leading healthcare organizations. She has served as Chief Medical Officer, System Chief Quality Officer, and Chair of Quality and Patient Safety. Dr. Abookire began her career as an electrical engineer in aviation systems. She has taught nationally and internationally on patient safety, high reliability, systems design, and the health benefits of nature. Dr. Abookire also enjoys being a Forest Therapy guide and incorporates Forest Therapy into medical curricula.
Dr. Robert Zarr is a physician researcher and public health pediatrician based at Unity Health Care, Inc. and Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Canada. He has provided medical care to minority and immigrant populations for more than 20 years.
A longtime advocate for Medicare for All, Dr. Zarr served as PNHP president from 2015 through 2016. He founded and was the first medical director of Park Rx America, a community health initiative to prescribe nature to patients and families to prevent and treat chronic disease and promote wellness. A certified nature and forest therapy guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, Dr. Zarr previously served as the Park Rx Advisor to the National Park Service in his national advocacy to connect patients to parks.
Dr. Zarr earned his medical degree at Baylor University and his MPH at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, and completed residency in pediatrics at Texas Children’s Hospital/Baylor.
Summer , as a certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide, works in partnership with Nature to provide opportunities to help humans re-connect with the Earth and themselves. Born and raised in the cypress swamp of North Florida, Summer has navigated through various life experiences as a human being who happens to be deaf. After getting their degrees in Expressive Art Therapy and Deaf Cultural Studies, and certified in American Sign Language, Summer taught ASL, Spanish, and Deaf Culture in various high schools and colleges/universities for 15+ years. They also established a media consulting business, making educational films accessible to the sign language community.After they experienced some challenges with severe anxiety, Summer found Mother Nature calling them back home. Summer decided to study Nature and Forest Therapy through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and eventually found a new purpose- assisting humans from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages to rediscover their connection with the Natural world through the healing practice of forest bathing.
Summer , as a certified Nature and Forest Therapy guide, works in partnership with Nature to provide opportunities to help humans re-connect with the Earth and themselves.
Born and raised in the cypress swamp of North Florida, Summer has navigated through various life experiences as a human being who happens to be deaf. After getting their degrees in Expressive Art Therapy and Deaf Cultural Studies, and certified in American Sign Language, Summer taught ASL, Spanish, and Deaf Culture in various high schools and colleges/universities for 15+ years. They also established a media consulting business, making educational films accessible to the sign language community.
After they experienced some challenges with severe anxiety, Summer found Mother Nature calling them back home. Summer decided to study Nature and Forest Therapy through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and eventually found a new purpose- assisting humans from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages to rediscover their connection with the Natural world through the healing practice of forest bathing.
Tamberly Kerr - Conway - PhD
Tamberly serves as an ANFT Certified Guide and ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant. Tamberly holds an MS and PhD in Forestry, with a focus upon Human Dimensions in Natural Resources, focusing upon diversity engagement, health and nature connections, forest health/human health relationships, and community empowerment in conservation.
Tahia Devischer - PhD
Tahia is a research and teaching fellow at the University of British Columbia. She holds a PhD in ecosystems science from the University of Oxford, and is a certified forest therapy guide with ANFT. She works at the nexus of urban forests, human well-being and climate resilience.
Tamberly Kerr - Conway - PhD
Tamberly serves as an ANFT Certified Guide and ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant. Tamberly holds an MS and PhD in Forestry, with a focus upon Human Dimensions in Natural Resources, focusing upon diversity engagement, health and nature connections, forest health/human health relationships, and community empowerment in conservation.
Tahia Devischer - PhD
Tahia is a research and teaching fellow at the University of British Columbia. She holds a PhD in ecosystems science from the University of Oxford, and is a certified forest therapy guide with ANFT. She works at the nexus of urban forests, human well-being and climate resilience.
Tamberly Kerr - Conway - PhD
Tamberly serves as an ANFT Certified Guide and ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant. Tamberly holds an MS and PhD in Forestry, with a focus upon Human Dimensions in Natural Resources, focusing upon diversity engagement, health and nature connections, forest health/human health relationships, and community empowerment in conservation.
Tahia Devischer - PhD
Tahia is a research and teaching fellow at the University of British Columbia. She holds a PhD in ecosystems science from the University of Oxford, and is a certified forest therapy guide with ANFT. She works at the nexus of urban forests, human well-being and climate resilience.
Tamberly Kerr - Conway - PhD
Tamberly serves as an ANFT Certified Guide and ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Trail Consultant. Tamberly holds an MS and PhD in Forestry, with a focus upon Human Dimensions in Natural Resources, focusing upon diversity engagement, health and nature connections, forest health/human health relationships, and community empowerment in conservation.
Tahia Devischer - PhD
Tahia is a research and teaching fellow at the University of British Columbia. She holds a PhD in ecosystems science from the University of Oxford, and is a certified forest therapy guide with ANFT. She works at the nexus of urban forests, human well-being and climate resilience.
Our Mission: Support planetary health by nurturing heart-centered relationships between all peoples and the More-Than-Human World of Nature.
