About the Project…

Exposure to natural settings is well proven to improve physical and mental health, retention of learning, civic engagement, and environmental responsibility. These are all highly relevant in our world for our wellbeing and that of the young people we work with who will actively shape our future.

‘Forest Therapy’ is the term now commonly used to describe the simple techniques that we can use to engage with natural spaces to further increase all of these benefits. By learning these skills as youth workers and creatively translating them into activities attractive to Youth, We aim to reduce barriers and enhance the capacity of Youth Workers to utilize Forest Therapy and green spaces in their work.

Our facilitators are experienced in using natural spaces and Forest Therapy techniques in both rural and urban settings.

Participants will leave with an embodied experience of the benefits, knowledge, and skills for using Forest Therapy themselves as well as an expanded, personalized toolkit for their Youth Work practice, equally applicable in both urban and more rural/wild settings.

We have designed a 7-day immersive training camp that brings together these techniques across many cultures with best practices from multidisciplinary Youth Work and adult education.

This is an intensive camp for a small group of highly motivated participants.

 

Participants

Are you…

  • 18+ years of age
  • Able to participate using the English language
  • Actively working with Youth
  • Currently using natural spaces in your work or highly motivated to do so
  • Able to explain where you would use this learning in your current and future work and committed to undertaking a dissemination workshop with Youth after completion of the training in your home setting. (Requirement of travel reimbursment)

**Please be aware that an Urban setting is very suitable for Forest
Therapy. The view of a tree through a window, clouds, a pot plant or local
park are all sufficient for introducing youth to the benefits of Forest
Therapy. Urban approaches will be addressed throughout the training camp.

  • An active participant in group work and brainstorming
  • Experienced/excited to work collaboratively with local youth where language barriers may exist
  • Open to new experiences and stepping outside of your comfort zone
  • Possessing a strong work ethic
  • Willing to explore your creativity

…This is no passive hotel-based training holiday….

Comfortable sleeping in a shared tent for a week and an entirely outdoor program regardless of weather. (Sheltered spaces are available when needed from sun and rain as are solo tent options).

Committed and excited to spend this training without a bathroom, hot shower, flushing toilet or the privacy and personal time you may be used to. (Dry toilets, sauna and river available 24/7 !)

 

Travel

Travel is funded by ERASMUS+ and will be reimbursed after you have:

  • Provided your original tickets/receipts
  • Completed of all 7 days of the training camp
  • Completed set dissemination actions after returning to your home country.

Unfortunately only Estonian’s are able to arrival solely by train meaning other nationalities are not eligle for the higher ‘green travel’ funding.

  • Luxembourg, Turkey or Bulgaria – actual costs up to 309€
  • Estonia – actual costs up to 285€

Only our Turkish participants require a visa for a short stay in Estonia.

You can apply for your visa at any of 13 VFS Global visa application centres throughout Türkiye.

Please direct any further questions regarding travel arrangements into Estonia to your country’s host organisation.

 

Accommodation

Experience more and contribute more…

 

Sleeping

Accommodation is in 4 person shared tents with wood-fired stoves if needed. If you require more privacy you can bring your own personal tent or arrange with
us to provide one.

 

Amenities

There is a rather cold river and occasional sauna for personal hygiene. We have no running hot water. Only natural cleaning and beauty products are allowed on our site, we have dry outdoor toilets and no bathroom, hair dryers or shower!

Outdoor portable warm showers can be made available by arrangement for individual health/hygiene needs by heating water on the campfire.

 

Connectivity

Phone and data reception is limited; depending on your provider you may have some connection for phone calls from certain points on the property. Some limited Wifi will be available near the family farmhouse for occasional outdoor use.

 

Contact

Communications: Eva: evaedovald@gmail.com

Site and program inquiries: Justin: mtyeikellegimaa@gmail.com

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