Enjoy an extended weekend to gather and connect with other Forest Therapy Guides (either certified, currently in-training or considering become a guide in the future) to share and listen to stories, experiences and collaborate as a community.  Participate in winter guiding workshops, explore the winter trails, or take some time to rest, relax and re-fuel your mind, body and spirit.

Arrival Thursday evening…with an option to stay Sunday night (at no extra cost)- See full schedule below.

NEW for 2025 – your weekend includes participation in the CEC’s “Stars and Song” event on Saturday night with Juno award winner –  Ian Tamblyn (who shares stories and songs about the natural world) as well as a Space presentation and evening Telescope observatory session Saturday evening! – visit page link for more details!

Stars & Songs

AND…enjoy our new wood-fired Cedar SAUNA!! – a brand new addition

You are welcome to bring your family along to enjoy the many winter activities available in the area including; downhill skiing (www.antoinemountain.ca), x-country skiing, snowshoeing and winter tubing (www.naturesharmony.ca). Meet back up at the end of the day or request joining you for meals, evening programs and/or the Stars and Song Event.  (*additional fee applies).

PACKAGES

(Save the tax until December 1st!)

INCLUDES

All packages include meals, private cabin accommodations (for up to 4 nights) and weekend activities/workshops  – including Stars and Song concert and access to Sauna!

SINGLE
$450 + HST

Private cabin for 1 person

double
$750 + HST

Share a cabin with a friend! Price includes accommodations, meals and activites/workshops for 2!

triple
$1050 + HST

Share a cabin with TWO friends! Price includes accommodations, meals and activites/workshops for 3!

add-ons
Additional Fees apply for the following options (+ HST)

Want to bring friends or family to join you in your cabin for the weekend, but not participate in the activities/workshops?

– An additional charge of $50 per person is charged for the weekend per person (does not include meals or participation in activities) (Children 12 and under are free).

– Add-on options can include some or all meals, concert tickets to Ian Tamblyn and evening Space presentation.

THURSDAY

Afternoon: Arrive anytime in the afternoon and enjoy some time to settle in and relax on your own.

Dinner: BYO or head into Mattawa

Evening: Campfire Social and Meet/Greet

Sauna:  Available from 4pm to 10pm

FRIDAY

Breakfast not provided – please bring your own.

Morning: 

Morning Welcome and and Orientation to Winter Gathering Weekend!

12:30 pm: Lunch Provided

Afternoon:

Guided Winter Forest Therapy Walk

Tea with the Trees Share!  Yummy!

5:30 pm: Dinner Provided

Evening: Night walk and Wolf Howl, Campfire (exploring evening invitations)

Sauna:  Available from 4pm to 10pm

SATURDAY

8:30 am: Breakfast Provided

Morning:

Discussion and Sharing – “Connections to the Land” – Indigenous ways of knowing and winter explorations with Guest.

12:30 pm: Lunch Provided

Afternoon: Free time to explore (ski, snowshoe, walk, rest, journalling, sauana, etc…)

5:00 pm:  Space Presentation!

6:00pm:  Dinner Provided

Evening:  Concert with Juno Award Winner – Ian Tamblyn 

Telescope Observatory to follow

SUNDAY

Early Morning: Optional early morning run/walk/snowshoe/sit-spot

8:30 am: Breakfast

Morning: Final Debrief, Goodbyes and Wrap-up

Feel free to stay into the afternoon and enjoy some last moments of relaxation

Sunday night accommodations available (at no extra cost).  Please request during registration

YOUR WEEKEND GUIDES

LAURA KIELPINSKI, OCT
Your event host and Forest Therapy Guide

Laura works full time as the Director of Education and Operations at the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC).  She is a certified Forest Therapy Guide with ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy) and looks forward to sharing and deepening her practice with guests at the CEC.

Laura is also a qualified OCT teacher, GPS Instructor and Instructor Trainer for the National Green Check GPS Certification program, Instructor for the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s “Project Wild” and “Below Zero” programs.  She holds an honours degree in Physical and Health Education (specializing in Outdoor Adventure Leadership) and a diploma in Environmental Science from Laurentian University, as well as her Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University in Outdoor Experiential Education. Laura holds certifications in Standard First Aid and CPR, Wilderness First Aid (80 hour WFR), ORKCA (canoe training) as well as risk management and safety planning.  Her passions and interests include sharing her love of the natural world with all those around her and helping others to find comfort and enjoyment from spending time in the outdoors. She enjoys being active in a variety of outdoor activities (mountain biking, running, canoeing, hiking, and cross country skiing) with her friends, family and two children.

Registration Payment

  • An invoice will be sent to you via our online square account for the full amount of your registration.
  • A non refundable deposit of $50 per participant (not including add-ons) is due upon receipt of your invoice to confirm your registration.
  • Final payment is required 2 weeks prior to the weekend.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellations made no later than 2 weeks prior to the weekend will lose their $50/participant deposit
  • Cancellations made betwwen 2 weeks and no later than 48 hours before the weekend will receive a 50% refund.
  • Cancellations made within 48 hours  will receive NO REFUND.
  • In the event of extreme winter weather that prevents you from attending, please contact the CEC to discuss the possibility of a partial refund (as a non profit we will still need to cover food costs for last minute cancellations). We will do our best to accommodate requests for an early arrival and/or late departure for anyone who is looking to avoid winter weather driving. Please contact us if you would like to make this request.