Sept 18-20, 2026
Program Fee Sliding Scale: $300 $200 or $100 Event Ticket Options: Commuter Event Fee: $380 or Basic Event Fee: $510 (Dorm) / $410 (Cabin)
NOTE: Registration is a two-step process for those that want a private room. First, select your event ticket (commuter, residential, or camping) and the program fee will be added. If you’d like upgraded lodging (a private room instead of the dorm or cabin included with the basic on-site event price), you will then be directed to our Cloudbeds to complete your accommodation selection. All rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have mobility concerns and need assistance finding an accessible room, please contact our front desk.
ABOUT THE WEEKEND
Experience the healing presence of the forest
UU Rowe Camp & Conference Center is pleased to present Forest Bathing Weekend Retreat: Experience the Healing Presence of the Forest, a program led by certified forest therapy guide and award-winning author Nadine Mazzola. This retreat invites participants to slow down, reconnect with themselves and nature, and experience the restorative power of the forest in a supportive, judgment-free environment.
Understanding Forest Bathing
Guided forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku (森林浴), is the Japanese practice of “taking in the atmosphere of the forest for health and well-being.” Far more than a hike, it is a slow, sensory immersion that invites you to awaken your senses, reconnect with nature and yourself, and experience a sense of playfulness and wonder. Certified forest therapy guide Nadine Mazzola will lead participants through a series of gentle walks with optional invitations to interact with the forest in simple, mindful ways.
Program Overview
- Guided forest bathing sessions with Nadine Mazzola to slow down, open your senses, and find yourself in the landscape.
- Welcoming interactive time for reflection, sharing, and optional group activities.
- Enjoy an open afternoon for rest, quiet exploration, or walking the trails. Spend this time alone or with others as you choose.
- Immersion in Rowe’s serene forest setting, with a balance of group and solo time in nature. Deepen your connection with nature, yourself, and like-hearted individuals.
Benefits of Participation
By participating in Forest Bathing Weekend Retreat, attendees will:
- Experience Forest Bathing: Certified forest therapy guide Nadine Mazzola will lead several forest bathing sessions, including optional invitations to interact with the forest and a forest tea ceremony.
- Reduce Stress and Burnout: Learn mindful nature practices shown to lower stress, anxiety, and emotional fatigue while cultivating resilience and calm. Participants will also gain insights into how nature’s wellness mechanisms work.
- Deepen Nature Connection: Reawaken your senses and restore your relationship with the natural world through immersive, contemplative time outdoors. Discover ways to slow down, listen inwardly, and reconnect with what matters most, finding yourself within the landscape.
- Rest & Relax: With dedicated time for relaxation, participants can unwind and choose their level of engagement. Rest, play, discover, and explore!
Who Should Attend
This retreat is suitable for anyone interested in exploring the connection between wellness and nature. It is ideal for individuals seeking:
- Rest and renewal in a peaceful natural setting
- A deeper sense of connection with the forest, themselves, and others
- A gentle, welcoming practice that requires no prior experience, and is low impact
- Time to slow down, breathe deeply, and feel at home in the natural world
Preparation for Participants
No prior experience is necessary. A journal or notebook is recommended for personal reflections. Forest bathing activities are low impact, involving slow walking and sitting. There will also be time for optional solo wandering or hiking. Participants should bring comfortable clothing suitable for the outdoors in various weather conditions.
Leader
Nadine Mazzola is a certified forest therapy guide, trainer, and award-winning author of Forest Bathing with Your Dog. She is the founder of New England Nature and Forest Therapy Consulting and has led hundreds of walks, retreats, and trainings. Nadine is known for her warm, welcoming style and for creating experiences that support deep connection, healing, and belonging.