Welcome to the Hostel in the Forest. Please read the following:
The Hostel is a 501c3 Non-Profit Membership Organization, and you must become a member to stay. Lifetime Membership is $10 per person. Please read our membership agreement here.
While we guarantee you a bed with your reservation, we cannot guarantee a treehouse.
You must be 18 years of age or accompanied by an adult.
U.S or State issued photo ID is required to check in.
The cost is sliding scale $40 - 80 per night, per person. Ages 7 - 17 are $20 per night, and ages under 7 are free.
The sliding scale is honorary. Members determine their nightly rate based on what they feel they can contribute. The minimum amount ensures member accessibility, while the maximum amount ensures hostel availability and is comparable to similar outdoor experiences in our area. The Hostel staff and manager will not be suggestive of an amount to pay, since we are unaware of each guest’s unique financial situation. Furthermore, rates paid per person will stay confidential and guests who are able to give more will not receive more attention and vice versa. Everyone who comes through the Hostel is treated equally.
We accept credit/debit cards and cash.
You may stay for a maximum of 3 nights.
The maximum group size is 5 people, not just for your reservation but for your whole party.
Upon arrival you MUST sign the membership agreement form.
A vegetarian family style meal is prepared each evening by members and staff, including many ingredients from our organic garden. Food donations are always welcome.
You should bring what you’d like to eat for breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. There is a grocery store within a mile of the hostel.
The best BBQ on the planet is a half mile east of the hostel at Gary’s Supermarket, but it is only open Thur – Saturday. There is a convenience store one mile east of the hostel at the intersection of Highway 17 and Highway 82, open every day.
Bring a flashlight – it makes it easier to find your treehouse in the dark.
From April to October bring mosquito repellent!
Everyone staying at the hostel will be expected to share a part in helping out by doing a daily chore. We find this helps contribute to the sense of community with your fellow temporary hostelers. Options might be sweeping the common areas, helping to clean the kitchen, working in the gardens, feeding the chickens and ducks, or something of that nature. We also have a wishlist here for basic needs if you feel so inclined to donate.
You should leave your cell phones, cameras, digital tablets, laptops, etc either in your locked car or room. We do not permit you to receive or place calls or texts, or take photos or videos in the presence of others in the communal areas. There is NO Wi-Fi.
We do not offer trash services. Pack it in, pack it out.
We do NOT allow dogs, cats, or other pets, including service animals. There are no exceptions! If you’re traveling with a pet you must board your pet at a local kennel. We do not want pets left in cars in the parking lot only because we love them as much as you do.
No heaters of any kind can be used in any of the tree houses. We provide blankets (please do not bring your own). We recommend bringing hot water bottles as an eco-friendly way to stay warm.
We do not permit camping, or staying in RV’s, camping vans, and the like. There is paved parking available for these larger vehicles however.
No fireworks, firearms, or any other types of weapons are allowed on any part of the Hostel property.
We don’t mind those visiting the hostel having a beer or two or a glass or two of wine; however, you will not be permitted to stay if, in the opinion of any member of our staff, you have had too much to drink. The hostel is not a place to “party”, and any form of intoxication will not be tolerated. The same applies to illegal drugs. Anyone using them will be asked to leave.
We do not encourage those who visit the Hostel to bring young children unless they are constantly under supervision. There are too many ways for kids to get hurt unsupervised. In the past, some guests have felt that they can turn their children loose to run as they please. This usually means that a member of our staff has to watch over them – we do not provide this service! We maintain a certain level of tranquility and serenity and those outside of its bounds will be asked to leave. If you do bring a child, you will have to sign a special liability form releasing the hostel from any injuries that may happen to them. With this being said, we love the novelty, enthusiasm, and vibrancy that children bring to the hostel.
If you know you’re going to arrive by bus in Brunswick and will need a ride to the hostel, you should call ahead and let us know the time of your arrival. Since buses are notoriously late, you will have to call the hostel again from the Brunswick bus station after you arrive. There is a $5 per trip charge to cover our gas.
To make a reservation, please call us at (912) 264-9738. If you have any questions not answered here, you may call us or email info@foresthostel.com. We can not accept reservations, cancellations, or confirmations by email.
We look forward to meeting you!