Guide Training Immersion 4-Days
Canada, Ontario – Dharma Centre of Canada – September 2026
- September 4, 2026
- to
- September 8, 2026
- 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
Dharma Centre of Canada
The Dharma Centre of Canada, one of the oldest meditation centres in North America, is situated on 400 acres of beautiful boreal forest. The Centre is embraced by the ancient Canadian Shield which is one of the world’s oldest geological rock formations with bedrock dating back approximately 1.3 billion years old.
Much of the land is completely untouched and home to a diversity of beings such as mushrooms, mosses, ferns, trees, wild flowers, and wildlife including deer, wild turkeys, beavers, rabbits, groundhogs, bald eagles, owls, hummingbirds, various turtles, fish, salamanders, frogs and even the rare moose to name only a handful of examples of inhabitants of the land.
The property holds wetlands, lakes, ponds, streams and lots of mixed coniferous and deciduous forest rich in biodiversity. The land is welcoming and lush, holding us gently to practice and share Forest Therapy. The weather in Ontario in late August and early September is an ideal time to relax in the warm glow of summer.
During your spare time you can choose to enjoy numerous hiking trails that traverse the property. There is even access to Union Lake that can be gained by using one of the centre’s canoes or kayaks for those experienced enough to use them safely.
Lodging
The accommodations rest quietly within 400 acres of forested land – simple, clean cabins and rooms are nestled among trees and sky. Each person has their own private room that is humble, peaceful, and held by nature’s embrace. The washrooms are shared, but each participant can retreat to the solitude and quietude of their own cozy room.
There are no offsite food and accommodations options allowed, you must register with the Dharma Centre of Canada paying in full for both food and accommodations to partake in this Immersion.
Once you have paid for your tuition, you will receive a link to register for lodging and meals with the venue directly.
Everyone will have their own basic rustic single bedroom. Bathrooms are shared.
$600 Canadian dollars, taxes included – Fri Sept. 4 later afternoon arrival to Tuesday Sept. 8 at 2 PM departure.
*Approx. $455.00 USD subject to exchange rate
Meals
The Dharma Centre of Canada provides three wholesome, primarily vegetarian, home-made meals made daily, often featuring produce from their own gardens. Meals are served buffet-style, designed for mindfulness and sustainability.
All meals are included in the price, starting with dinner on September 4th (arrival day) and ending with lunch on September 8th (departure day)
Special dietary restrictions can be accommodated if requested in advance. There is also a separate kitchen in the teahouse if needed.
Transportation
It is best to come by car or carpool.
The nearest bus station to the Centre is in Fenelon Falls. However, the arrival time is at 8 PM which makes it not a good option.
There is a gentleman who drives people from and to the Centre from Peterborough for a fee of $50/passenger one way.
Schedule Details
Arrival
Friday Sept. 4 (register in the afternoon) between 3 – 5 PM
Departure
Tuesday Sept. 8 (depart after lunch) 1 PM (2 PM latest)
General Notes
No consumption of intoxicants. Please read the venue’s policies HERE
Wifi available in the Tea House and Main House, not in accommodations.
Tuition
The tuition for the four-day immersion is $495 (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
- Stana Luxford-Oddie
- Stana trained with ANFT in cohort 6 in 2016. In 2017 she took on a mentor role and in 2018 became a trainer. Based in Canada, she has been working for the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority for over twenty-three years as the Senior Conservation Educator. Her passion is supporting people to build their relationship with the More-Than-Human World with their head, heart and hands. Through Cataraqui Conservation, Stana brings Forest Therapy walk experiences to all ages in the community from private and public organizations and as well to elementary and secondary school aged children and youth in all seasons! Stana received her BA from the University of Waterloo in 1998, in the Applied Studies Co-op program with Honours History. She earned her Bachelor of Education at Queen’s in 1999 from the Specialized Outdoor and Experiential Education Program and is a certified OCT teacher in good standing. She recently published two, self-paced professional development courses for Forest Therapy Guides: Guiding Children & Youth; as well as Guiding in Winter & Cold Weather. She is grateful for her continued embodiment practices and being a part of the professional development course: Embodiment for Forest Therapy Guides. Her work related to Forest Therapy continues to open her heart and deepen her relationship with all beings. You will most likely find her in the forest or near a lake often with her adventurous, Cockapoo pup, Theo, sometimes in the good company of her partner, Lachlan and occasionally with their 14 year old son, Asher.
- Darlene Rooney-Keller
- "Darlene is an ANFT Forest Therapy Guide, mentor and trainer living in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Longmont, Colorado. In 2018, she founded Nature Heals Forest Therapy where Darlene works in partnership with local organizations including Chautauqua Experiences, Dunton Hot Springs, Krupnic Counseling and many private groups. Darlene also deeply values creating her own unique offerings to support her community in having opportunities to deepen their practice of Forest Therapy. She offers seasonal immersions, retreats, couples walks,1-1 walks and more. Darlene is passionate about Forest Therapy and the opportunity to hold space and support people in connecting with a deeper part of themselves through awakening their relationship with the Natural World. Darlene’s intuitive and heart-centered guiding supports people in opening and relaxing into their heart’s intelligence and healing power of this beautiful practice of connecting with the Natural World. Darlene has been serving her community through the healing arts of massage therapy yoga and meditation for over 25 years. Living in the Rocky Mountains, she is grateful for the abundant opportunities to be outdoors connecting with the land, supporting her in finding balance, grounding, self care and inner peace. "
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.