Welcome to the Hostel in the Forest

Please browse through our website before calling us to make a reservation. If you have further questions, we would be happy to answer them over the phone any day between the hours of 10am and 8pm, 912-264-9738. We can not accept reservations or cancellations by email.

Our Mission

The Hostel in the Forest, located in Brunswick, Georgia, USA, is a center which promotes and teaches environmental sustainability, while also serving as a spiritual retreat, and hostel for international and domestic travelers. It teaches a hands-on approach to a sustainable lifestyle through activities such as alternative building and organic gardening while complementing the processes of nature. While the Hostel is not dedicated to any particular religion or denomination, its educational programs and services are designed to integrate the ecological, social, spiritual, economic and emotional aspects of the human condition.

* IF VISITING FOR THE FIRST TIME PLEASE READ THIS *

* OWN A PIECE OF HOSTEL HISTORY *

* TOM’s LETTER – 2009 *

Latest News and Events

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19th
The The Over Under Yonder Band will be staying and playing with us on the night of Friday the 19th. No additional cost for guests of the Hostel.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21st
Eric Smith of the Killer Meteor band, KY’s, The Apparitions (Machine Records) and Revival, (Washington, D.C. -Gypsy Eyes Records) will be staying and playing with us on the night of Sunday the 21st. Smith has also shared the stage with the likes of The Flaming Lips, The Features, The Whigs, These United States, Paleo, and fellow Kentuckians, My Morning Jacket. No additional cost for guests of the Hostel.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26 SWEAT PLEASE NOTE this a change from the full moon schedule

We will be having our February Sweat Lodge on Friday afternoon, so guests interested in participating should arrive by Thursday night to prepare for Friday morning. Then we will be hosting a well being retreat beginning Saturday morning, so guests interested in participating should arrive by Friday night. Guests participating in the sweat are asked not to stay Friday night unless they are interested in staying for the full weekend of the retreat. The cost for the retreat is $100 including Friday and Saturday nights stay, diners, brunch on Saturday and all the classes. The cost for the sweat is still the same $25 per person per night.

RETREAT SCHEDULE

Saturday 9am – Yoga class (please bring a mat if you have one)
Saturday 10:30 – 12:00 – Intro to Acupuncture
Brunch
Saturday 1:00pm – Reiki I workshop
Saturday 2:30 – 4:00 – Spa time
Sunday 9am – Pilates class
Sunday 10:30am – 12pm – To be announced

Neely Hunter LMT has been a massage therapist since 1998 with advanced certifications in Neuromuscular and Myofascial Therapies, as well as a Reiki teacher and practitioner since 2008. Reiki is a natural healing system used to facilitate balanced energy in the body and spirit.

Dr. Mark Brinson is a doctor of Oriental Medicine with 20 years of experience. He is a pain and injury rehabilitation specialist and well versed in family medicine. Dr. Brinson uses acupuncture, manual therapy, cupping, herbal medicine, and a variety of modalities from both eastern and western medicine to produce quick lasting results.

Ellen Kiley LMT has been teaching Yoga since 1997, and is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Personal Trainer. She believes in a multidisciplinary, community approach to healing.

Bonni Smith LMT has been teaching Pilates since 2007 and practicing this discipline since 2006. She also is a Licensed Massage Therapist focused primarily on postural corrections through Neuromuscular Techniques.

Weekly Update 02/3/2010

Posted February 3rd, 2010

Livin’, workin’, and playin’ with zestful enthusiasm in this Forest space tends to morph perception of ticktock time! Whether here for a night’s stay, a sequence of months, or some span in between, any present individual is likely to be swept away into the ebb and flow of interwoven now moments. Days elongate into eons and weeks slink on by quick as a blink!

Jumping into a nostalgic juxtapose description of recent happenings… Gusting winds bend the trees this way and that. Rain drenchings have been plentiful. The duck sisters blissfully waddle ‘bout the lingering puddles. A low temp fire stoked in the cob oven progressed the project to the next step of the curing process. Fresh harvests of collards, salad greens, and edible weeds from the garden contribute towards dinner’s deliciousness. An experiential study determined that oats will exponentially increase the fire ant population’s productivity, where as grits are an environmental catastrophe. Golden angels with bronze wings play amongst silver trees as the newest Hostel masterpiece. Custom cahpentry in spruce and cedar enhances the unique architectural details of a notable structure. Bicycle rides, including an 18-mile trek out to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island by some for a sunset/moonlit picnic, are occurring with greater frequency. An energizing hot, Hot, HOT sweat lodge ceremony was held in honor of the full moon. Spontaneous dance parties burst into being —midmorning kitchen grooving instigated by a jovial Tom, an afternoon session of freeform movement in the backyard amidst the chickens, an energized domal jam of expressive dance and communal celebration, and more! Also, a new stash of thrifted wares, to be screen printed with the beloved Hostel logo and distributed in exchange for land trust donations, has been acquired. Be sure to poke through the collection when visiting; there is quite possibly the perfect item, specifically aligned with your individualized style!

As for the DIY focus… kombucha! This fermented beverage is all about effervescent rejuvenation yum. Keep in mind, while feeding a ‘bucha mama, cleanliness is important. However, the process does not require ultra-specific scientific accuracy. Perseverance, tender care, and love are vital invisible ingredients. Also, use wood utensils and glass vessels; ‘bucha mamas do not like contact with metal. Brew 8 tea bags (apx 15g) of black or green tea in 14c (3.5 qt) water; metal pot is okay for tea brewing. Add 1.5c evaporated cane juice or white sugar. Avoid using turbinado or brown sugar. Cool to body temperature in a wide-mouth, gallon jug. Add 2c of previous batch and a ‘bucha mama. Or one bottle of original flavor GT’s Kombucha. Cover with a scrap of breathable fabric, secured with a rubber band. Store for 1-3 weeks, until fermented to preferred taste. Enjoy!

We are still seeking previous work exchange, staff, and/or manager who’s who sorta snapshots capturing Hostel livin’ workin’ playin’ for an upcoming collage project. Representation of as many generations, eras, and clusters of folks who have dedicated spans of their day-to-days, simply because they love this place, will be much appreciated. Please flip or scroll thru photograph stashes, scout out some free print deal on the interweb, and snailmail copies to our post office box.

May the Forest Be With You

The Hostel Staff