Forest Bathing Immersion - SEPT 2024

These trips run on a sliding scale $275-$1000.

PLEASE READ SLIDING SCALE AND SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION BELOW

COVID-19 Safety Protocols:

-Small Groups

-Individual Tents

-Negative COVID-19 test taken at least 3 weeks prior to trip

-Health screen day of trip

-Full vaccination preferred

Details:

FOR SCHOLARSHIPS: CLICK HERE 

These transformative 4-day BIPOC Forest Immersion backpacking trips in the Green Mountains of VT are open to beginners, advanced backpackers, and everyone in between, intended for ages 18 and above. The program covers essential backpacking and camping skills—packing a bag, setting up tents, basic navigation, starting fires, knots, and more. There's also dedicated time for crafting, including carving spoons and cordage.

Offered on a sliding scale of $275-$1500, these trips address the significant issue of nature deprivation, which disproportionately affects Black people and people of color living in nature-deprived areas. Symptoms include attention deficits, mood imbalances, poor cardiovascular health, poor emotional regulation, and a compromised immune system. Yet, the healing power of trees and plants can significantly support human health.

The practice of forest bathing, a mindfulness practice that slows down the nervous system, is integrated into the trips. This drop in nervous system activity enhances receptivity to compounds in forest air, such as phytoncide, emitted by trees and plants. These compounds have proven benefits on immune function, natural anti-cancer cell production, cardiovascular health, cognitive skills, stress responses, emotional regulation, and mental health. Studies from the Department of Hygiene and Public Health at Nippon Medical School in Japan revealed that after a 3-day/2-night forest bathing trip, natural killer cell production and immune function increased for up to 30 days.

Reclaiming a healthy relationship with wild land becomes an act of resistance for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color against exclusionary forces. Being in nature is a way to shed ancestral traumas related to the wilderness and find a personal connection. Ancestral living skills, carried through the diaspora and the journey to freedom, deserve to be learned and enjoyed without safety concerns, allowing for the genuine benefits of the healing that nature offers.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM HERE: FAQ

Accessibility & Logistics:

Trail: TBD

total trip mileage: TBD

*if you are a more advanced backpacker looking to clock miles or have a challenging hike this is not he trip for you. This trip is for beginners. Each days trip mileage is roughly 1.5 miles. 

Accessibility

The nature of hiking and backpacking (heavy lifting, distanced hikes, crouching, bending, etc) and the terrain of this specific location makes accessibility to this specific event limited. We are working to ensure these trips are accessible to everyone and are open to feedback on how to do that.

Meals will be determined based on participants' needs including allergies and food restrictions.

**Due to safety concerns for the group, we do not disclose specific sleeping locations prior to registration. I understand this may cause some concerns/ feelings around uncertainty for folks looking to register and want to respect what may arise. Please reach out to raei@the-rusty-anvil.land if you would like more details and information before registration.**

WHAT IS PROVIDED TO YOU:

• gear (your own tent, backpack, sleepings bag, sleeping pad, cup, bowl, spork, & headlamp).
• food and snacks
• transportation to/from trailhead (will need one volunteer to caravan)

WHAT IS NOT PROVIDED TO YOU:

• transportation to/from meeting location (please contact if transportation support is needed. A carpool list will be sent upon registration).
• personal gear (clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc)
• personal dietary snacks

Please contact Raei@the-rusty-anvil.land for support with clothing. A packing list will be sent upon registration.