Guide Training Immersion 4-Days
IN ASL – USA, Florida – Wildflower Meadows Homestead
- October 10, 2025
- to
- October 13, 2025
- Enrollment Open
An opportunity to connect with other guides from other cohorts and learn from the shared experiences.
If you have completed at least module 4 and submitted the corresponding assignments, of the six-month remote Forest Therapy Guide Training you’re eligible to apply. Completion of this immersion and the six-month training fulfills the requirements for full Certification. When space is available, ANFT-trained guides who have completed training in any past cohort can also participate. Please note that priority goes to students who need to take the immersion to get fully certified. Therefore, when you apply, you’ll be put on a waitlist until three weeks before the start of the immersion.
A 4 day in-person gathering, with 1 or 2 trainers, and people from different cohorts where you will have the opportunity to apply what you learned, experience in-person forest therapy walks and simply connect and share experiences and stories with other guides.
In this immersion, you will:
- Get a hands on experience of what you learned
- Get to know trainers personally
- Get to know other guides and connect
- Learn from shared experiences with other guides
- Deepen into the practice
- Get the opportunity to ask specific questions that might come up
Once you complete this four-day immersion, your certification will be moved from provisional to permanent. You have two years after you complete the six month core training course to complete an immersion. It will help to give you a sense of the community of guides that has grown and is active throughout the world.
About the Venue
Wildflower Meadows Homestead
~4 acres of land including authentic nature-inspired dwellings, fire circle, nature trails, and plenty of places to be at one with Nature.
Nestled on 3.5 acres of scenic land 5 minutes drive from the artsy town of Melrose, FL the homestead offers a peaceful retreat with a meadow, forest, and a charming 1900s-era farm house. You’ll find a welcoming space to relax and reconnect with nature. Easy access to lakes and springs. A short 20-30 minute drive to Gainesville and Palatka.
Lodging
You’ll get a space in a bell tent and sleeping mat.
- Kitchen setup – Plug-in stove & essentials for off-grid meals
- Electric hook-ups & water access for easy convenience
- Outdoor adventure gear – Camping chairs, bug spray, lanterns
Glamping and Luxury Experience
If you’d prefer a luxury or glamping experience, please contact Summer. They may have upgraded accommodations available in some of their existing rentals, which you can explore on the Rental Page on Summer’s website.
Meals
Basic camping meals included and one catered night to enhance the experience.
Transportation
Transportation isn’t included, but Summer has set up a WhatsApp group for carpooling and to coordinate transportation options with fellow participants.
Located in Melrose, FL near Gainesville, FL.
Schedule Details
Arrival
Arrive October 9th after 5pm.
Departure
Last check out time is October 13th at 5pm.
General Notes
One of the most exciting parts: you will have a unique kayaking adventure with Earth Kinship EcoTours on the water and through the cypress trees at sunset.
Tuition
The tuition for the four-day immersion is $600 (USD). Wait to pay until you are ready to register for a specific immersion. You will have two years from the completion of your core guide training to do the immersion.
Immersion tuition does not include transportation, lodging or camping fees and food. These expenses are separate from the program costs for the four-day immersion and are the responsibility of the trainee.
IMPORTANT: Please wait until you receive enrollment confirmation before booking travel and lodging.
Tuition figures are subject to change.
Training Team
- Summer Crider
- Summer Crider is a cultural studies educator, certified Forest and Nature Therapy guide, and founder of Wild Cypress, dedicated to creating inclusive, healing experiences for Deaf, Disabled, and marginalized communities. With a background in Expressive Arts Therapy, Educational Media, and Cultural Studies, Summer combines academic depth with entrepreneurial creativity as a self-taught business owner, filmmaker, and media consultant. Raised in the cypress swamps by a family rooted in environmental conservation, Summer developed a deep relationship with silence and nonverbal communication. Their work invites people from all walks of life to reconnect with nature, each other, and themselves—expressing the unspoken and healing through wonder, sensory awareness, and connection. In addition to leading retreats and educational programs, Wild Cypress has partnered with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides (ANFT) to support Deaf and hearing guides on their certification path, incorporating culturally responsive approaches to forest bathing—restoring harmony, healing the spirit, and embracing communication beyond words.
Certification Pathway
STEP 1
6-Month Remote Training
You will start with a 6-month remote training, covering the content on live calls with the support of your trainers, fellow students, a very user friendly learning platform, many self exploration and nature connection activities that are done outside. After completing this training you get a provisional certification as a Certified Forest Therapy Guide. To view the available trainings scroll down
STEP 2
4-Day In-Person Immersion
After completing module 4 you can apply to attend a 4-day in-person immersion, for hands on forest therapy guiding experience with trainers and fellow students. You have two years time to complete this step.
STEP 3
Get Your Certification
After completing the 6-month remote training and the 4-day in- person immersion, you will receive your permanent certification as an ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide and be part of the largest Forest Therapy Guide Community Worldwide.