Forest Bathing with Donna at Caspers Wilderness Park (Free Community Event)

ABOUT THE FOREST BATHING - CASPERS WILDERNESS PARK, SJC:
This event will be led by Donna McCullough, PhD who is a certified forest bathing guide and a member of our Spiritual Wellness Meetup Community.

We will be immersing ourselves in nature in order to experience it through our bodies and our senses. The motto is "The forest is the therapist, and the guide opens the door." Each person will have an individualized experience as they spend time connecting with the forest/nature. The effects of forest bathing can be restorative, relaxing, insightful, healing, and energizing etc.

Forest bathing comes from the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku. Shinrin means "forest" and yoku means "bathing." Shinrin yoku is focused mainly on spending time in nature in order to promote health and well-being. For example, we get seratonin from the sun which is a feel-good neurotransmitter which gives us a sense of well-being. In addition to promoting health and well-being, forest bathing in North America also focuses on our relationships (our relationship with nature, ourselves and each other). Join our forest bathing walk so that you can experience first-hand the gifts that nature has for you!

WHERE TO MEET:
In the Old Corral/Windmill parking lot, by the restrooms. Caspers Wilderness Park, Old Corral/Red Windmill Day Use area - farthest away from the entrance to the park. Allow at least 10-15 minutes for driving from the park entrance.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 15-person limit on this event, so please be mindful of your RSVP. Only RSVP for this event if you can attend. If for some reason you cannot attend, move yourself to "Not Going" as soon as possible so others have an opportunity to participate.

TIMELINE:

• 8:40am - Arrive at the kiosk entrance of Casper's Wilderness Park and pay the $5 fee for a day pass to park your vehicle. It will take 10+ minutes to drive to our meeting spot in Old Corral Day Use area.
• 8:50am - Arrive in the parking lot at the Tall Red Windmill, Old Corral Day Use area and Restrooms. Meet by the picnic table under the Oak Tree.
• 8:55am - Introductions.
• 9:00am - Begin our forest bathing with Donna.
• 11:00am - Meetup concludes at approximately this time.

STATS: Trail is an easy walk on a nature flat dirt trail approximately 1-1.5 total miles.

WHAT TO BRING: Long hiking pants or long leggings, so legs are fully covered due to Poison Oak. Sturdy, close-toe trail hiking shoes/boots. Water, hat, layered clothing, sunscreen.

ENTRANCE FEE: $5.00 per vehicle or OC Parks annual pass.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Drive east toward the mountains about 8 miles on Ortega Hwy (from the 5 freeway) and turn left into the Caspers entrance. Please allow enough time to arrive at Caspers Park entrance kiosk at 8:40am to be parked and ready to meet at 8:55am. Keep driving over the creek, turn right at stop sign (about 1 mile) and drive (toward Old Corral Day Use) about another 2 miles. Just past the large red windmill, park in the area by the large corral and restrooms. Meet by the picnic table under the Oak Tree.

PLEASE NOTE: We start promptly at 9:00am. If you are late, you can try to find us by locating the Nature Loop Trail.

NATURE TRAIL PRECAUTIONS: We need to be aware of poison oak, prickly plants such as cactus, ticks, flying insects, snakes, and natural hazards along the trail. Long hiking pants or long leggings (due to poison oak) are recommended. Closed toed hiking shoes/boots are recommended.

ABOUT CASPERS WILDERNESS PARK: Caspers Wilderness Park is an 8,000-acre protected wilderness preserve nestled among the river terraces and sandstone canyons of the western coastal Santa Ana Mountains. The park's many fertile valleys are overtly complemented by specimen groves of native Coastal Live Oak and magnificent stands of California Sycamore. These areas are further accentuated by seasonal wildflower displays and running streams. Wildlife is abundant and can be readily viewed from any of the park's numerous trails.

Donna is gifting this lovely offering to our community in honor of the Summer Season. If you would like to contact Donna and/or join her email list to be notified of future forest bathing events, please contact her at: donnamccullough@cox.net

Looking forward to connecting with you in nature soon.
With Love and Gratitude,
Treeesa and Donna

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and co-organizer assume no liability; attend and hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group, you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold the group leader or co leader liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.