The Mountain Retreat
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Forest Therapy Certification Program
The Mountain Retreat Details
This page serves as a home base for The Mountain Retreat and will be updated with everything you need to know between now and the first day of the training retreat. If you have questions at any time between now and the retreat, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Regan and Julie.
Action Needed!
#1 - Mark Your Calendar
Following the retreat, you will enter into a 6-week practicum period. During this time, we will have weekly meetup calls on Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm ET, beginning June 10th through July 15th. The calls will be recorded so if you need to miss a call, you will be able to watch the recording.
#2 - Email your dietary restrictions to us at hello@theforesttherapyschool.com
Please email us your dietary restrictions as soon as possible. If you have none, please email us stating that you have none. Thank you!
Your Instructors:
Regan Stacey | regan@theforesttherapyschool.com |(860) 227-9627
Julie Sczerbinski | julie@theforesttherapyschool.com | (704) 439-6971
When:
Arrive: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm ET
Depart: Sunday, June 8, 2025 by 10:00 am ET
Where:
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
3872 Dillard Road
Highlands, NC 28741
(828) 526-5838
Getting Here:
Directions to The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center:
Please note that navigational applications are inaccurate and may route you over rough gravel mountain roads. To avoid any issues, we suggest you follow the following directions:
From Asheville/Knoxville: (1.5hr/ 2hr) Take I-40 West from Asheville or I-40 East from Knoxville to Exit 27 at Clyde, NC. Follow US 23/441 South to Dillard, GA. Turn left at the Dillard stoplight, then go 10 miles to The Mountain.
From Atlanta: (2.5hr) Take I-85 North to I-985 North — which becomes US 23/GA 365 and then 23/44 — to Dillard, GA. Turn right at the light on GA 246, which will become NC 106 at the NC State line. It is 10 miles from the light in Dillard to The Mountain.
From Chattanooga: (3hr) Take US 64 East to Franklin, NC. Turn onto 23/441 South to Dillard. Turn left at the Dillard stoplight onto GA 246. The Mountain is 10 miles from the turn.
From Charlotte/Greenville: (4hr/ 2hr) Take I-85 South to Exit 1, Rt. 11 North to US 76 West to Clayton, GA. Turn right on 23/441 North and proceed to Dillard. Turn right at the Dillard stoplight onto GA 246, which becomes NC 106 at the NC State line. The Mountain is 10 miles from the turn at Dillard.
The last mile…
There are two entrances to The Mountain from Dillard Road (NC 106). To enter, look for our large road signage at Little Scaly Rd. If traveling from Highlands to The Mountain, this will be the second Mountain entrance.
Please note there is a large parking lot at the base of the Mountain used by our staff and camp counselors. Proceed past this lot and look for our “To the Office” signage and continue up The Mountain.
The road is quite narrow with sharp curves, so be careful and watch your speed as you may encounter other cars. We recommend that you roll down your windows – weather permitting – to take in the fresh mountain air and listen for any cars headed down the Mountain.
Once at the top of the Mountain, follow signage to our Office or The Commons so you can check in for your program.
Weather:
The weather in the North Carolina mountains in the month of June averages in the upper-70s for the high and mid-50s for the low. You may wish to dress in layers to adjust your comfort level.
What to Bring:
The most important thing you can bring is a flexible attitude, ready to accept and adjust cheerfully to the surprises that weather and circumstances may present. It helps a lot, too, if your clothing and equipment are suitable. We recommend packing layers for shifts in temperature. If you are unsure what to take with you, ask us.
Please bring:
Water bottle
Personal toiletries
Unscented sunscreen
Unscented insect repellent
Flashlight or headlamp
Long pants for forest walks
Close toe shoes for forest walks
Rain gear (jacket, pants, umbrella)
Notebook and pens
Optional Items:
Hat (wide brim, for the sun)
Sunglasses
Yoga clothes and mat for optional yoga session
Swimsuit & towel for visiting nearby waterfalls
Daypack for short hikes
Schedule:
A detailed schedule will be given to you upon arrival. You can expect our days to start immediately after breakfast (9:00 am-ish ET) and ending around 4:30 pm ET in the afternoon.
Practicum:
Following the retreat, you will enter into a 6-week practicum period. During this time, we will have weekly meet-up calls on Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm until 8:15 pm ET, beginning June 10th through July 15th. Graduation will be held on Tuesday, July 15 at 7:00 pm—7:45 pm ET. Please mark your calendars. The calls will be recorded. If you need to miss a call, you will be able to watch the recording.
Frequently Asked Questions:
