Program Overview: Experience Yosemite with all five of your senses during two days of meditative and relaxing programming.
Friday evening, enjoy a buffet-style al fresco meal before taking an easy walk to an open meadow to enjoy the stars. As you admire the stars, your naturalist guide will whet your intellectual appetite with information about the area’s natural and human history. Don’t forget to bring your camera — and your curiosity!
On Saturday, enjoy forest bathing in Yosemite’s majestic forests and meadows — this is not “bathing” in the literal sense. Instead, imagine a beautiful feeling of inter-connectedness experienced by slowing down, mindfully tuning into your senses, and immersing yourself in nature’s peace amid the awe-inspiring beauty of Yosemite.
Nature or Forest Bathing is inspired by the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku (bathing in the atmosphere of the forest). During this practice, you will slow down, relax, release, and awaken your senses on a fully-focused mind-body walk. Your love for and connection to Yosemite will bloom!
Your instructor, Dan Webster, is an experienced naturalist and ANFT (Association for Nature and Forest Therapy) certified forest therapy guide. Dan joyfully facilitates safe, gentle walks by offering ‘invitations’ that allow participants to experience sensory-opening activities that are at once unique and shared within a supportive community environment.
Know Before You Go:
- Program dates: Friday, July 12 from 6:00pm-9:00pm and Saturday, July 13 9:00am-5:00pm
- Program location: Crane Flat Campground and other beautiful locations
- What’s included: Two partial days of guided instruction, one free day to enjoy the park on your own (July 14), park entry (as needed), and shared tent camping (camping dates cannot be altered). There is no discount if you choose not to use the included gate pass or campsite.
- Camping dates: Participants can arrive on July 12 after 12 pm and must depart July 15 by 11 am. There are two shared campsites among all the participants. We guarantee tent camping only. If you choose to bring a recreational vehicle, we cannot guarantee you will have a parking spot. Please be prepared to tent camp. A picnic table, bear locker and fire pit are provided at each site. Campsites fit 6 people per site.
- Campground Location: Crane Flat Campground
- Lodging: No upgrades available for this program
- Experience level: All levels welcome.
*This one-day program includes three nights of camping. Make the most your trip by enjoying an extra free day, July 14th, to explore on your own.
What’s not included:
- Gear or meals during your program (heavy appetizers are provided on Friday evening only).
- Camping gear or meals in the shared campsites.
- Transportation.
