**A NEW EVENT! Come try it out and tell us what you think.**

Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS) Volunteer, Nerissa "enerLeaf" Aquino, will provide access on this private sanctuary and accompany the group on a quiet stay in the healing woods - an individual forest bathing event:

What is Forest Bathing (also known as Shinrin-yoku)?

Shinrin in Japanese means “forest,” and yoku means “bath.” So shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses. ... It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Shinrin-yoku is like a natural "pill" to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit.

Here's a 2018 Time magazine article on Forest Bathing's Health benefits:

https://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/#:~:text=Shinrin%20in%20Japanese%20means%20%E2%80%9Cforest,the%20forest%20through%20our%20senses.&text=It%20is%20simply%20being%20in,yoku%20is%20like%20a%20bridge.

1st) 30 minute casual hike into the forest on the Peach Orchard Trail to Hidden Pond then to the the stream crossing where Farm Loop trail picks up. We'll get to chat and briefly discuss the time together.

2nd) 45 minutes - attendees are invited to find a place of their own along the section traveled for their own forest bathing experience. Here are some suggestions:

~Mindful quiet Movement - stretches, yoga, creative expression, tai chi, nature dance, Movenat, close examination of the forest ecosystem, earthing, photography, green exercise

~Rest - take a nap against a tree, meditation, silent observations

~Reflection - journaling, drawing/sketching, prayer

3rd) 40 minute hike up to the Sunset Trail and back to parking area.

4th) Optional: Bring Your own Dinner picnic social (a refrigerator is available)

PARKING

Please park in the designated CSS grass parking lot. Look for large brown banner "Event Parking" signs and a yellow flag on Leader's car. It will have it's own separate grassy entrance beside stream and large round bale of hay very close to Big East Fork Road.

Please do not park at the farm adjacent to the 5400 property's entrance.

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Standard Notice/Liability Waiver (partial text)

Hold Harmless Agreement

In consideration for the permission and privilege to engage in activities on properties owned by the Center for Sustainable Stewardship (CSS), Big East Fork Farms (BEFF), and Jonathan Oppenheiemr (JO), I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless CSS, BEFF, and JO from any suits, costs, damages, or loss while engaged in activities on property owned by CSS, BEFF, or JO...

*All adult attendees will have to agree to and sign this waiver upon arrival.*