Guided journeys in the stunning Rocky Mountain forest facilitate encounters with our deepest longings, springing from the secret hearts of who we are and were born to be. This immersion explores the mythic story of how we are each born as carriers of seeds of four medicines. Each of us carries a unique configuration of these gifts, powers, and ways of beauty. The medicines we carry are needed now. The architecture of our individual souls is not random, but purposeful and responsive to the times we are in. This immersion will include an embodied exploration of the four "houses of the heart:" the medicines of inspiration, embodiment, vocation, and wisdom.
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.
Graced by the awe-inspiring mountains, elk, deer and other wildlife and adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park, YMCA of the Rockies’ Estes Park Center offers a wholesome, spiritual environment where we are inspired by nature.
Surrounded on three sides by Rocky Mountain National Park, at our Estes Park immersions we regularly encounter wildlife among the forest and streams where our guides lead us through series of invitations that support our connections with self, nature, and each other.
The quaint town of nearby Estes Park, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Colorado and one of the highest-rated family destinations in the U.S., offers a variety of restaurants, shops and festivals throughout the year, and more wildlife than any other destination in Colorado. Elk, deer and an occasional bear frequent both Estes Park Center and the town of Estes Park.
Our group will lodge together in a spacious Reunion Cabin--so named because it is designed for family reunions. The cabin has 8 rooms, all double occupancy. It has a very spacious kitchen and dining room with a large gathering area featuring full-height windows with stunning views and a fireplace.
We will be staying four nights. Lodging is $95 per night ($380 total) for a shared double occupancy room, $160 per night ($680 total) for a single room (limited availability). All rooms are en-suite.
Catered lunches are included with lodging. Breakfast and dinner is not included. You will prepare your own food. There are markets in nearby Estes Park and the cabin has a large well-equipped commercial kitchen. Groups may self-organize to prepare shared meals.
Airport: Denver International (DIA)
Shuttle Service: Available>> ($85 round trip from DIA, reservations required)
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.
