Forest Bathing Camp

(a joyful and easeful nature-based retreat for adults)

An invitation to slow down, de-stress, and reclaim your joy, playfulness, and curiosity in the loving embrace of the natural world.

Thursday May 15 - Sunday May 18, 2025

at Ekone Ranch, Goldendale WA

No experience necessary,

experienced forest bathers and guides also welcome

With Heather Burns and Irene Elle Bailey

Sliding Scale $475-$775

(we offer a $50 discount for professional forest therapy guides- use the code GUIDE50)

Meet your facilitators

Dr. Heather Burns

Heather is teacher, facilitator, certified forest therapy guide, and eco-spiritual mentor. She loves holding space for deep transformative learning and healing, and she designs and facilitate experiences that invite whole person learning, authentic relationships, and real connection with each other and the living earth. Heather is also an author, a reiki master, former professor, and the creator of Alderroot Healing and Renewal.

Irene Elle Bailey

Irene Bailey (she/ her) is the founder and Program Director for Temenos Rising and a Certified Forest Therapy Guide. Irene is honored to design and facilitate nature connection offerings to support the remembering that we are intimately and inseparably connected to all life. Over the past 20 years, she has worked with numerous environmental and sustainability education programs as an educator, leader, mentor, and wilderness guide. She holds a MS in Leadership for Sustainability Education and is trained as a Buddhist Eco-Chaplain.

The Basics

This camp will be hosted at Ekone Ranch near Goldendale WA (a really special and delightful place!) Arrive by dinner on Thursday and depart by mid morning on Sunday. Each full day will include: Morning mindfulness and movement circle, 2 forest bathing walks, 3 delicious meals, an evening circle, ample time for personal rest and exploration.

Enjoy yummy plant-based meals three times a day
Stay in the cozy open-floor-plan shared bunkhouse, camp in your own tent or vehicle, or rent an airbnb or hotel in Goldendale
Bathrooms with showers are provided
Over 1200 acres of forest land for wandering and exploring
Technology detox– no wifi and limited cell service
About 2.5 hours from Portland and 4 hours from Seattle
Enjoy guided forest bathing experiences that ignite your curiosity and joy, including a gentle evening walk under the stars

Ekone Ranch

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Join us for an unforgettable experience of healing and connection at this Forest Bathing Camp, where the forest is our sacred and honored space.

What is Forest Bathing Camp?

Be immersed in the beauty of nature at our Forest Bathing Camp, where you can reconnect with the joy of curiosity and wonder, quiet your mind, and nurture your body and spirit. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing," this immersive retreat invites you to experience the power of the forest to offer groundedness and renewal. This retreat provides a unique opportunity to unplug from technology*, and to enjoy inspiration and nourishment through extended mindful connection with the natural world.

At the heart of this camp experience is the soothing and gentle presence of the forest. Through guided forest bathing sessions, you'll be invited to slow down, breathe deeply, and fully immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and sensations of the natural world. You’ll be invited to feel the earth beneath your feet and to notice and connect with the presence of the more-than-human beings around you.

We are living in a world full of uncertainties, dis-ease, and real climate disasters. And the earth is dreaming through us, calling to us to listen and to explore what it means to live in gentler, more connected, embodied, and mindful ways. At this camp we will slow down to engage in meaningful connection with the living earth. As we do, we may find that we are offered tender healing, guidance, and inspiration in return.

Heather and Irene, both certified Forest Therapy guides, will guide you in forest bathing walks, offering a variety of invitations to experience awe and wonder, to explore playfulness and creatively, and to deepen your mindful and embodied connection with nature. We’ll also hold space for meaningful connection with each other and for simple healing rituals and ceremonies to deepen your sense of belonging and connection with the living earth. There will be time for solo exploration and space to explore your unique relationship with the natural world.

Whether you're looking to reduce stress and angst, increase joy, find clarity, or simply relax into the rejuvenating benefits of spending extended time outside and in the forest, this retreat will help you connect with your spirit, with other like-hearted souls, and with the earth in new ways. You'll leave camp feeling grounded and refreshed, and with new calming practices that you can carry with you.

*cell service and internet available for emergencies and for checking in with loved ones as needed

Camp Highlights

Forest Bathing: Guided walks with a series of invitations to immerse yourself in the healing power of the forest. Including a night walk under the stars
Mindfulness Meditation & Breathing: Daily sessions to cultivate mindfulness, presence, mental clarity, and well being.
Sensory Awareness: Forest bathing invitations are designed to heighten your senses and deepen your connection with nature.
Nature Journaling: Opportunities to reflect and document your experiences as a way to integrate your feelings and insights.
Ritual and ceremony: Ways to foster a deeper sense of belonging and reciprocity, and create meaning and connection.
Restorative Movement: Gentle movement to relax the body, release tension, and complement your mindful forest bathing practice.
Holistic Nourishment: Delicious nutritious meals prepared from local, organic ingredients to nourish your body and mind.
Cozy, Eco-Friendly Accommodations & Camping: Comfortable lodging where you can rest after a day of deep connection with the natural world.

feedback

Sky

Thank you a million times, thank you. The power of the forest is undeniable and the love and inspiration that you ooze is magnetic. I needed these forest bathing experiences even more than I realized!

Why Forest Bathing?

Forest bathing also known as forest therapy, is a nature connection experience inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku. This nature-based experience offers the chance to step away from the stresses of daily life and to find healing and nourishment through intentional engagement with the land and other beings.

‍Forest bathing supports healing by offering the opportunity to radically and intentionally slow down, rest, take a break from technology, and to renew your sense of connection with the living earth. The healing impacts of forest bathing increase over time and support long-term health and wellness. Research has shown that forest bathing allows the nervous system to relax, boosting immunity, reducing anxiety, depression, and stress, improving cognitive function, and improving sleep. Through a series of guided invitations, forest bathing creates a sense of embodied presence that enables you to access new ways of being, including more joy, curiosity, playfulness, spaciousness, and awe--states that are so important to cultivating resiliency in this era of dramatic change.

Each forest bathing session includes intentional connection to the senses, a slow walk, guided invitations to enhance presence and connection, and a tea ceremony with snacks. Sessions are limited to a small number of participants so that we may connect with one another in meaningful ways.

Forest bathing is effective because it helps us rest our bodies and minds, but it is also a balm for the spirit by sparking our imagination, creativity, connection to the earth, and sense of belonging.

Alderroot Healing & Renewal

Now Booking: What is mine to do? A 3 week virtual class