In this program we enter the liminal space of renewed possibility for deepening our connection with the more-than-human world through Forest Therapy and The Way of Council.
Forest Therapy is the practice of sensory connection to come into intimate relationship with the more-than-human world and with each other. A series of guided invitations bring us into the present moment, opening the doors of communication with the forest, waters, and landscapes we explore. We encounter not just the forest, but through the many mirrors of nature, we also encounter ourselves.
The Way of Council is a process of communication with ourselves and each other that supports deepening into our experience. Through council we can discover the meaning of our emerging stories through sharing and being witnessed in circle. Council invites us to become more intimate with our own lives, and support each other as we move through our processes of learning, growing, grieving, and healing. Because it invites authentic expression, council can be quite intimate. Your facilitators will show how the form of Council can create space that is both vulnerable and safe.
Restorative Practices build on the Way of Council to create opportunities for exploring and healing harms in relationships. In the Council of Waters and Trees we introduce "Aloha Ropes," a restorative practice developed by Amos Clifford. Inspired by the Hawaiian tradition of Ho'oponopono and other sources, we will use this practice to deepen our relationship with the more-than-human world of nature. Through Aloha Ropes we will discover how the land can listen and speak to us, and through us give voice to its longings, wisdom, and needs. Like Council, Aloha Ropes is a method that can be readily transferred into other settings such as schools and communities.
This journey will allow us to sink deeply into the medicine of the forest. Mornings will be spent immersing ourselves in the experiential practices of Forest Therapy. Afternoon Council meetings support the deep rooting of the medicine the forest has offered us. We will experience the brief "light touch" council as it is used in Forest Therapy as well as diving into the deeper practice and learning-by-doing the core skills of council leadership.
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.
Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon and get settled in, enjoy dinner. Meet from 7:00 - 9:00 pm for introductions and orientation.
Day 2: 9am -12pm: Guided forest therapy experience. 12:00-2:00 pm Lunch. 2:00 pm-5:00 pm discussion, lecture, experiential activities
Day 3: 9am -12pm: Guided forest therapy experience. 12:00-2:00 pm Lunch. 2:00 pm-5:00 pm discussion, lecture, experiential activities. 7:00pm - 8:30 pm (optional) join the guides for a discussion and analysis from the point of view of the guide, of the two guided forest therapy experiences. This is highly recommended for forest therapy guides and guides in training.
Day 4: 9am-11:30 am: Council, lecture, and experiential activities. 11:30 am to 2:30 pm: there will be an assignment that is completed on your own. 2:30 - 5:00 pm Council and sharing
Day 5: 9am - 11:30 am: Integration council and individual assignment for closure
Set in 90 acres of parkland within Dartmoor National Park, the River Dart Country Park has been one of Devon’s best-loved family tourist attractions and campsites for over 20 years. The park is packed with attractions, so get here early for a great day out, or stay longer, and explore Devon, from our award winning campsite and holiday park!
We will be staying at Holne House, a magnificent manor house set in the grounds and gardens of the River Dart Country Park. The majority of rooms face south offering wonderful views over the lawns and park. All rooms are en-suite with a TV and tea and coffee making facilities. These rooms are available on a bed and breakfast basis. Advance booking is essential. More information at: http://riverdart.co.uk/holne-park-house
Holne House offers 9 double rooms in the Coach House. Additional participant may get their own rooms in the big house or stay off site. Each room is 95 pounds per night (4), split between the two participants. This fee includes breakfast.
Check in on the first day at is after 4 pm.
A full English breakfast is provided every morning in the Sawmill, right across from the Coach house. This is included in lodging. Lunches cost 13.95 pounds per day (3) and will be included in the in the lodging/accommodations fees. The lunch offerings will be varied each day and will be packed for pick up and eat either inside or outside, wherever participants prefer.
Within the Dartmoor National Park, yet only one mile from the A38 between Exeter and Plymouth near Ashburton, we are easy to find and conveniently located.
Follow the brown tourist signs to the River Dart Country Park from the Peartree Junction on the A38 by Ashburton. Peartree junction is the second Ashburton junction when travelling from Exeter direction. Do not come off at the Linhay junction which takes you through the narrow streets of Ashburton - not ideal when towing a caravan!
If you are using satellite navigation look out for our sign as you approach the Park. Some Sat Navs can take you on a Dartmoor adventure ending up in a nearby field!
OS X (Eastings) 273287 OS Y (Northings) 70064
Lat (WGS84) N50:30:60 (50.516609) Long (WGS84) W3:47:19 (-3.788664)
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.
