Events & Workshops

What is an Earth Connection Meditation practice?

In this 30-minute session, Justin will introduce you to a guided meditation with your senses to connect to your body and the Earth.

For this session, I encourage you to join from outdoors (depending on weather and your personal needs) or with a view out a window.

Justin is pleased to welcome you to this inclusive anti-racist LGBTQIA+ affirming community-minded space.

Important points: This will be an experiential workshop. I welcome your participation. To honor what folks share, the session will not be recorded.

Tickets: I appreciate your support in any amount. If you'd like to attend free, please enjoy your complimentary ticket! Welcome!

What you will need:

Technology requirement:

Zoom application installed on smartphone or laptop.

Materials:

Notebook, writing utensils for journaling, drawing and reflection prompts. A cup of tea and setting where you feel comfortable and will be undisturbed for 30 minutes.

Support My Work:

Consider supporting my work as a forest bathing guide and spiritual companion by Buying me a Coffee here.

What is an Earth Connection Meditation practice?

In this 30-minute session, Justin will introduce you to a guided meditation with your senses to connect to your body and the Earth.

For this session, I encourage you to join from outdoors (depending on weather and your personal needs) or with a view out a window.

Justin is pleased to welcome you to this inclusive anti-racist LGBTQIA+ affirming community-minded space.

Important points: This will be an experiential workshop. I welcome your participation. To honor what folks share, the session will not be recorded.

Tickets: I appreciate your support in any amount. If you'd like to attend free, please enjoy your complimentary ticket! Welcome!

What you will need:

Technology requirement:

Zoom application installed on smartphone or laptop.

Materials:

Notebook, writing utensils for journaling, drawing and reflection prompts. A cup of tea and setting where you feel comfortable and will be undisturbed for 30 minutes.

Support My Work:

Consider supporting my work as a forest bathing guide and spiritual companion by Buying me a Coffee here.

Focus on Earth Connection and Summer Solstice:

An 11th Century mystic named Hildegard of Bingen taught about viriditas, the greening energy of life. Her word is a combination of both truth and greening. The Summer Solstice is a perfect time to connect with the viriditas in the land and in your own body and spirit. We will engage in Forest Bathing and practices with options to engage poetry and sacred viewing of the land called Terra Divina to connect with this vitality.

Itinerary in relationship with this land:

-Gathering in Community

-Forest Bathing Experience

-Packed Lunch with Community Connection and Reflection time

-Personal Retreat Time: Solo wander, Sit Spot and Terra Divina

-Gratitude and Reciprocity Ritual

REGISTRATION/EXCHANGE: PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED:

The limit on this event is 20 people. Registration is $55 per person, per day retreat and is required upon registration. $90-105 are sponsorship/”Pay it Forward” level tickets. The additional contribution will free up scholarship funds for those who ask and the rest will be donated to Amethyst to support our mission.

This contribution helps ensure Amethyst can continue offering events like this and exist for generations to come. Thank you for your contribution!

Wildwood Park                                 $18.00 per participant

On this slow-paced walk, you will be invited to experience your breathing, senses, and the natural environment at various locations throughout Wildwood Park. Participants should be able to walk about 1- 1.5 miles on paved, gravel, and wood plank trails with some elevation gain. The program concludes with a lovely forest tea.

What is Forest Bathing? Forest Bathing or shinrin yoku is a nature-based mindfulness practice and experience of interconnection with physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. Re-engage the wonder and awe of play, create space for your Eco-grief, and connect with Earth. Preregistration is required. Space is limited. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield.

You’re invited to a very special
Earth Connection and Eco-Grief Day Retreat

10AM-3PM

​

We will walk, wander, play and tend to our relationship with Earth in 1,100 acres of forest, boulders, and boardwalk at Clarence Schock Memorial Park in Mt. Gretna, PA.  We will engage The Work that Reconnects and Forest Bathing as community-centered methods of tending Earth Connection and Eco-Grief.

​

​COST-SUGGESTED DONATION: $75 - $100

(A Sliding Scale Payment allows our events and retreats to be
​accessible for everyone.)

Forest Bathing with Justin Ferko, a Certified Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy

9-11:30AM
Tuesday, August 26

Wake up early and join us for a cup of coffee or tea looking over the meadow and
labyrinth at Amethyst! Make retreat time for you during the week with the amazing
community of lavender, deer, turkey, hawk and, of course, humans as we practice Forest
Bathing together.

Location: Amethyst Retreat Center44 Buffalo Creek Rd, Duncannon PA

Registration: Registration is required and limited for these events. Each ticket to join is $30 per person. To register for this Forest Bathing workshop, click the "buy tickets" button at the top of this page and follow the prompts. This event is meant for those ages 18+ only.

Benefits of Forest Bathing can include:

a sense of calm, feeling rested
lowered blood pressure
boosted immune system from phytoncides
connection to one’s own body and the Earth
re-engaging with the sense of play
beginning a nature-connection practice of your own

What you can expect on a Forest Bathing walk:

a fun, mindful experience outdoors connecting with nature, yourself, and community
These walks are accessible for all mobilities & there will be some seat cushions and camp stools available for participant use.

What you should bring:

Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring layers for changes in temperature, a water bottle, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray
a cushion or stadium seat to sit on or a camp chair to sit on during invitations and sharing time, some will be available to borrow
Epi pen if you have been prescribed one for allergies
Additional Notes:Folks of all mobilities are able to participate
Please no dogs or cell phones.
Age 18+ only
Cancellation Policy: Tickets are nonrefundable, and we do not offer transfers to other dates. If Amethyst needs to cancel, we will post cancellation on the website, contact you, and refund your payment. If you are unable to attend you can give your ticket to a friend in your place.

Location
Amethyst Retreat Center Main House 44 Buffalo Creek Road, Duncannon, PA, 17020

Forest Bathing with Justin Ferko, a Certified Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy

September 21 - Please note the 4:30pm start time 🙂

Celebrate the Autumn Equinox with a Twilight Forest Bathing walk and campfire. 

If you wish, bring your own meal to enjoy around the campfire (not a requirement, just an offering since it is dinner time 🤗). A refrigerator is available in the main house to store your food. Tea and light snacks will be provided.

Location: Amethyst Retreat Center44 Buffalo Creek Rd, Duncannon PA

Registration: Registration is required and limited for these events. Each ticket to join is $30 per person. To register for this Forest Bathing workshop, click the "buy tickets" button at the top of this page and follow the prompts. This event is meant for those ages 18+ only.

Benefits of Forest Bathing can include:

a sense of calm, feeling rested
lowered blood pressure
boosted immune system from phytoncides
connection to one’s own body and the Earth
re-engaging with the sense of play
beginning a nature-connection practice of your own

What you can expect on a Forest Bathing walk:

a fun, mindful experience outdoors connecting with nature, yourself, and community
These walks are accessible for all mobilities & there will be some seat cushions and camp stools available for participant use.

What you should bring:

Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring layers for changes in temperature, a water bottle, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray
a cushion or stadium seat to sit on or a camp chair to sit on during invitations and sharing time, some will be available to borrow
Epi pen if you have been prescribed one for allergies

Additional Notes:

Folks of all mobilities are able to participate
Please no dogs or cell phones.
Age 18+ only
Cancellation Policy: Tickets are nonrefundable, and we do not offer transfers to other dates. If Amethyst needs to cancel, we will post cancellation on the website, contact you, and refund your payment. If you are unable to attend you can give your ticket to a friend in your place.

Loving a Wounded Earth Retreat

Engaging Imagination, Connection and Eco-grief Practices for Wholeness

Date: Tuesday, October 14 -10am-3pm Please arrive by 9:45am.

9:45-10 AM Arrival

• Community connection time

• The Three Stories of Our Time and Eco-Grief Sharing

• Forest Bathing

• Lunch and Personal Retreat Time, Labyrinth Time

• Work that Reconnects Ritual: Cairn of Mourning

In this retreat, join Forest Bathing Guide Justin Ferko to connect with Earth and yourembodiment, emotions and imagination in supportive community. Justin has extensive experience supporting folks as we engage our changed and wounded Earth through eco-grief circle facilitation and co-teaching the Work that Reconnects with the BTS Center. Our grief is a sign of our deep love. This retreat will create sacred space to express our gratitude and grief and engage the awesome power of community and imagination. You will leave the retreat having had your own sacred experience and with open-source tools from The Work That Reconnects by Joanna Macy for your use both personally and in your communities.

REGISTRATION/EXCHANGE: PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED:

The limit on this event is 20 people. Registration is $75 per person, per day retreat and is required upon registration. $90-105 are sponsorship/”Pay it Forward” level tickets. The additional contribution will free up scholarship funds for those who ask and the rest will be donated to Amethyst to support our mission.

This contribution helps ensure Amethyst can continue offering events like this and exist for generations to come. Thank you for your contribution!

The Work That Reconnects is an inspiring, interactive group process for anyone who longs to serve the healing of our world in a more powerful and effective way. In this 2-hour introduction to the Work That Reconnects, instructor Justin Ferko will guide you through the Three Stories of Our Time and offer experiences with the Work That Reconnects Spiral, a mode of moving with and through eco-grief and/or any other social justice issue that is of concern for you in this time. In this workship you will experience the gift of community as together we explore a taste of the Work That Reconnects. You will leave this workshop equipped with references for free online learning, references and tools to learn more about this open-sourced work and how you might adapt it to your personal, professional and community contexts. A Park Rx wellness program sponsored by Highmark Blue Shield. Pre-registration required, space is limited.