Forest Therapy Guide Certification Training Retreat
October 16 - October 20, 2024
Maryville, Tennessee
Forest Therapy Guide Certification Training Retreat
Seven Springs Retreat Center
Maryville, Tennessee
In the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains
Wednesday, October 16 through Sunday, October 20, 2024
Your retreat experience includes:
The Forest Therapy Guide Certification Program
A 6-week mentored practicum
4 nights accommodations in a yurt or bring your own tent
All organic and vegetarian meals prepared by a farm-to-table chef
Gentle yoga
Sound bath ceremony
Camp fire circle
Natural springs and nature trails
Labyrinth
Lifetime access to our program’s course content upon certification
The Location
Seven Springs is a holistic retreat center featuring 7 natural springs on 126 acres of private land in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
The land is also some of the most ecologically diverse in the country. The high elevations of the Smoky Mountains are a temperate rain forest with over 17,000 species of plants and animals. The incredible biodiversity of the region adds to the abundant richness of Seven Springs.
The accommodations feature 7 yurts. Each yurt is decorated with traditional textiles and artwork from the countries the property owners frequent. The yurts are fully furnished including bedding, furnishings, electricity and outlets.
The Curriculum
Whether you are taking this training for personal growth or to share the life-changing benefits of forest therapy with others, the curriculum is thoughtfully designed to give you a deeper understanding of the emerging field of forest therapy. You’ll walk away with the skills and confidence to guide participants in meaningful and restorative forest bathing experiences.
Over the course of this 4-night retreat, you will learn:
What it means to be a forest therapy guide
The history of forest therapy and forest bathing
The holistic benefits of the practice along with the science to back it up
Mindfulness in nature and embodiment practices
How to offer guided nature meditations
The importance of the senses in connecting to nature and ourselves
A reliable and trusted walk sequence for guiding your clients
How to craft nature-based invitations for client engagement
How to personally style a forest bathing walk
Group facilitation and effective communication skills
The psycho-spiritual dimension of the human-nature connection
Following the in-person training, you will enter into a 6-week mentored practicum where you will participate in weekly Zoom class meetups, complete assignments, guide 2 forest therapy walks and receive 2 small group mentor calls.
The weekly meetups will be held on Tuesdays (October 22 - November 26) at 7:00pm - 8:15pm EST. The meetups are recorded, so if you have to miss one, you can watch the recording.
Join like-hearted people committed to reconnecting humans to nature.
The Details
The Forest Therapy Guide Certification Program at Seven Springs Retreat Center
Arrive: Wednesday, October 16th between 3:00pm – 4:00pm EST
Depart: Sunday, October 20th by 11:00am EST
Your retreat experience includes:
The Forest Therapy Guide Certification Program
4 nights accommodations in a yurt or bring your own tent
All organic and vegetarian meals prepared by a farm-to-table chef
Gentle yoga
Sound bath ceremony
Camp fire circle
Natural springs and nature trails
Labyrinth
Lifetime access to our program’s course content upon graduation
Your Investment:
Option 1:
Private Yurt (waitlist only)
$3200
(includes program, practicum, 4 nights accommodations, and all meals)
The yurts are fully furnished with beds. 100% organic cotton sheets and towels are provided. Each yurt is fully equipped with electricity and has extra blankets for the cool nights.
The centrally-located, shared bathrooms have two (2) stalls with flushing toilets and two (2) sinks with large mirrors. There are also two (2) large hot water showers with private changing space in each.
$500 non-refundable deposit required upon registration
Option 2:
Shared Yurt (waitlist only)
$2925
(includes program, practicum, 4 nights accommodations, and all meals)
Each yurt will be shared with up to 3 people. The yurts are fully furnished with beds. 100% organic cotton sheets and towels are provided. Each yurt is fully equipped with electricity and has extra blankets for the cool nights.
The centrally-located, shared bathrooms have two (2) stalls with flushing toilets and two (2) sinks with large mirrors. There are also two (2) large hot water showers with private changing space in each.
$500 non-refundable deposit required upon registration
Option 3:
BYO Camping or Commuter (waitlist only)
$2825
(includes program, practicum, facilities use fee, and all meals)
Bring your own camping gear and sleep under the stars or commute in each day.
The centrally-located, shared bathrooms have two (2) stalls with flushing toilets and two (2) sinks with large mirrors. There are also two (2) large hot water showers with private changing space in each.
$500 non-refundable deposit required upon registration
Registration deadline: October 7, 2024
Terms and Cancellations:
Tuition Payment Schedule:
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due upon registration
50% of the remaining tuition will be due on July 15, 2025
Final tuition balance will be due on September 1, 2025
Prior to tuition due dates, you will receive an invoice via email. Failure to make a payment may result in a forfeiture of your booking.
Our in-person training retreat cancellation policy:
All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions. If the retreat is cancelled by The Forest Therapy School for any reason, the deposit is fully refundable.
Cancellations made 46 days or more prior to retreat start date: The deposit is non-refundable. All payments (minus the deposit and payment processing fees) are not refundable, but are transferable to a future training retreat held within one year. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Cancellations made 45 days or less prior to retreat start date: All payments are non-refundable or non-transferable. No exceptions. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Unforeseen Circumstances: There will be no refunds nor discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays, injury, or illness prior to and/or during the retreat.
Travel Insurance: For additional protection of your retreat investment, it is highly recommended that all participants purchase travel insurance at the time of booking the retreat. Travel Insurance is an optional purchase that covers your investment with The Forest Therapy School for any unforeseen events that may arise before or during your trip. If you opt to pass on the added insurance, your investment is bound by the cancellation policy of The Forest Therapy School as outlined above. Travel insurance is available through companies like Travel Safe, Insuremytrip, Travel Guard or other options listed here.
We offer 27 CE credits through the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching.
NBHWC Approved Course CE Number: CEA-000003-1
Getting Here
Please Note: Transportation is not included in the cost of the retreat.
By Car:
Maryville, Tennessee is:
18 miles from Knoxville, TN
132 miles from Asheville, NC
186 miles from Nashville, TN
218 miles from Atlanta, GA
By Air:
Seven Springs Retreat Center is located near:
Knoxville Int’l Airport, TN (25 minutes)
Nashville Int’l Airport, TN (3 hours)
Atlanta Int’l Airport, GA (4 hours)
“Thank you so much for this in-person forest bathing experience and certification course! It has always been about the trees for me. I have deepened my connection to the natural world and am looking forward to sharing the practice with others. My trees are happy and so am I. My mind is clear, and my heart is full. Standing in gratefulness to you Julie and Regan!”
— Ginny Speaks, Health and Wellness Coach