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About this trip
Healing with Plants Summer Retreat is an invitation for anyone seeking a full immersion into the rhythms of wild nature-scapes and self-care practices. Enjoy walks in the garden to identify and harvest medicinal plants, an herbal medicine making workshop, daily movement and meditation classes, create your own plant-dyed scarf, bonfires, pond swims, nature sounds, and forests to roam.
Nestled into the forested hills of upstate New York, Raven Crest Botanicals is made up of 350 acres of wild and cultivated gardens. It is the perfect place to soak up summer’s sun while relaxing into a simpler way of life.
Whether you're deeply rooted in the world of herbs and plants or a newbie, this retreat is for you. We invite you to luxuriate into summer and savor all the sweetness and joy it has to offer!
Who is this retreat for?
All levels of practitioners are welcome and no prior knowledge of herbs is required. This is a retreat for anyone seeking connection with nature, one’s self and community.
Opening circle begins at 5pm Friday, August 2nd.
Retreat closes at 12pm Sunday, August 4th.
Dr. Abby Paloma, DACM, L.Ac.
Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Women’s Health Expert, Movement and Meditation Teacher, Gardener, local food advocate, Dr. Abby Paloma is a compassionate practitioner with over 15 years of experience in the healing arts. Abby meets her patients and students exactly where they are on their path toward health, and integrates acupuncture, hand-crafted herbal formulas and individually curated lifestyle regimens in her practice. Abby offers seasonal classes and retreats throughout the year. Her teaching style reveres stillness and intentional movement as antidotes to our fast-paced and dis-eased modern lifestyles. In 2023, Abby opened Paloma Healing Center in Hudson, NY, where she lives and tends Green Street Community Garden.
Chef Danielle Sheri
Chef Danielle's journey into health and wellness began in high school. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Food and Nutrition from SUNY Plattsburgh, where she also earned her personal training certification. Her career started as a personal trainer, utilizing her nutrition expertise to guide clients to better health. Transitioning to Community Nutrition, Danielle worked at The Open Door Family Medical Centers WIC Program in Westchester County, serving families, women, infants, and children. She's certified in Lactation Counseling and served as a Breastfeeding Coordinator. Passionate about teaching, she pursued culinary arts at The Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts, founding Garden Groove Kitchen LLC. Danielle has taught cooking classes, delivered meals, and completed a graduate certificate in Nutrition and Exercise Science from Montclair State University. She now works with families and individuals, promoting ease, balance, and good health in their kitchens and lives.
Susanna Raeven
Community herbalist, wise woman, medicinal herb grower and owner of Raven Crest Botanicals, Susanna holds in her heart a deep connection to the plant world. She lives and breathes with the plants in her gardens and studies Earth centered spiritual ceremonies and cultures. Her prayers are for the Earth and the precious beings who flourish on her. While practicing Western herbalism, Susanna applies the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine in her work and calls on the wisdom of healing master plants from the Amazon. She offers herbal consultations, leads plant walks, is a guest teacher at Arbor Vitae School of Traditional Herbalism and hosts herbal retreats.
Getting There
Raven Crest Botanicals
842 Canaday Hill Road
Berne, NY 12023
347-866-0447
From New York City via car
The farm is a 3 and 1/2 hour drive from NYC. For the nicest route from the city take the George Washington Bridge, then Palisades Parkway North to 87-N. Take exit 21 Catskill and follow directions on Google Maps or GPS. Canaday Hill Road is a seasonal single lane dirt road. Keep going! We are the red house with green shutters up the driveway.
From New York City via public transport
We are a 45 minute car ride from Albany train and bus stations.
Amtrak offers a beautiful 2 1/2 hour ride from Penn Station along the Hudson, arriving in Albany-Rensselear. Greyhound and MegaBus take about 3 hours from NYC to Albany. You will need to coordinate your own car service to the farm
Ride Share
We will share a google document for retreat guests to coordinate ride shares with one another.
Registration
Your non-refundable deposit will reserve your spot.
What’s included
- LodgingBeautiful accommodations on the farm.
- FacilitiesOutdoor space in the dojo space, yoga deck, temple space, two ponds, and endless gardens.
- MealsSeasonally nourishing meals throughout your stay.
- Movement ClassesDaily movement practices, guided meditations and lectures from Abby.
- Herbal Medicine ClassOne herbal medicine-making workshop with Susanna.
- Plants & MaterialsFresh plants from the farm and all materials for medicine making.
- Plant WalksJoin Abby for plant walks in the gardens.
- Free timePlenty of free time to roam the wild forests, swim in the ponds, sing, and rest in the summer sun.
- Bon FireMaybe even roast some s'mores!
What’s not included
- TransportationWe can help you communicate with other guests who are interested in ride sharing.
Available Packages
There are beautiful spots to pitch a tent around the guest houses. Retreat participants will have access to shared bathrooms and kitchen in the Mullein House or Cabin. Retreat participants are responsible for providing their own tent and camping gear.
The peaceful and beautifully decorated Mullein House has shared rooms with three twin beds per room.
The lovely cabin and the beautifully decorated Mullein House offer single rooms (queen/full bed) with shared bathroom.
For couples and close friends our beautifully decorated cabin, the Mullein House offers double rooms with a shared queen or full-size bed and shared bathroom.
This price is for 2 people.