Summer Hike & Forest Bathing Meditation at Sterling Forest (Aug 9 2025)

Updated Mar 2025

If you haven't already, you MUST complete or update your Safety Information Form below. Please fill out BEFORE your trip.

Your trip's rating is on its reservation page. If you haven't already, learn more about how we rate trips here.

As always no matter what pace you're able to go at, no one gets left behind. 

Your trip host will also take breaks as needed. Your trip host is an experienced group leader and if conditions change or are different than what we expect, they are empowered to make adjustments as needed and will have final say on continuing or aborting any activity at any time should conditions become unsafe.

In the event the weather forecast makes our trip unsafe BEFORE your trip, you will be notified approximately 12 hours prior to your trip via email, text and/or a phone call with further instructions. Please make sure you have an updated phone number below. If you do not receive any notifications, your trip will occur like normal.

In the event the weather makes your trip unsafe DURING your trip, please follow all safety guidance from your trip hosts and/or park staff.

About Trip Safety Form

Why are you being asked all this information? Because you're getting a professionally hosted experience and we want you to have an awesome time. And that means Safety First, which may require medical assistance during your experience.

As a result, and as you can imagine, there's a lot of things that need to be anticipated for your safety. This form helps keep it all together for your trip host.

Although your information is kept confidential, it may be shared with your trip host in order for them to provide the best experience for you.

Please complete this form for yourself only.

First Name *

Last Name *

Pronouns

She/her He/him They/them Other Prefer not to share

Email *

Phone number *

Birthdate *

Height

Weight

Any food allergies?

Any environmental allergies?

Any injuries or limited mobility?

Any accommodation requested?

Preferred pickup

Bus Stop at Broadway and Steinway St, Astoria, NY 11103 REI Soho at 303 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 (DISCONTINUED) Create at 29-21 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria, NY 11105 (between 31st and 29th st) (DISCONTINUED) Outlandish at 722 Franklin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238 (DISCONTINUED) Pio Bagel Flatbush at 6 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (DISCONTINUED) Starbucks at 1077 3rd Ave, Midtown East New York, 10065 (corner of 63rd and 3rd ave) (DISCONTINUED) Starbucks at 803 W 181st St, New York, NY 10033 (corner of 181st and Ft. Washington) (DISCONTINUED) Walton Avenue Deli at 143 east Walton Ave, Bronx, NY 10451

First name of emergency contact *

Last name of emergency contact *

Phone number of emergency contact *

CLICK TO VIEW WAIVER

You have read and understand the Standard Waiver?

Yes *

CLICK TO VIEW RENTAL EQUIPMENT WAIVER

You have read and understand The Rental Equipment Waiver?

Yes

CLICK TO VIEW PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND FACE COVERING POLICY

You have read and understand the Physical Distancing Policy?

Yes *

CLICK TO VIEW RELEASE FORM

You have read and understand the Release Form?

Yes *

CLICK TO VIEW NO QUESTIONS ASKED REFUNDS AND CANCELLATION POLICY

You have read and understand The Refunds & Cancellation Policy?

Yes *

Are you a robot? *

Submit

 

 

Updated Mar 2025

All the details about your trip - including pickups, weather, itinerary and more - is already featured on the reservation page you booked from. 

You will also receive a confirmation for your reservation and a separate Thank You email with the subject, "You've reserved a trip on Outerthere!" from us.

The sender will be "Al at Outerthere" and the subject of the Welcome email will be "Welcome to [name of trip]" and is only sent from info@  outerthere.com.

Here's what it'll look like in your inbox:

Please make sure you let your Gmail/iPhone know that this sender and email address are important. 

If your trip is within 72 hours and you still haven't seen any emails from us, please check your spam folder or "newsletters" folder in Gmail.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, ask us in the chatbox here or reply to any email you've received from us. 

Updated Mar 2025

Traffic can sometimes affect pickup and travel times and meeting times are subject to change. You will be notified of any changes via text, so please make sure your contact information is up to date here.

There may be pitstops at your driver's discretion.

And finally, If you think you will be late to the destination or not able to make it for any reason, kindly notify us via text, chat or replying to this email.

Astoria Queens

Washington Heights, Manhattan

No Pickup?

If you think you will be late, kindly notify us via text, chat box on the site or replying to your trip confirmation email. Remember, other fam will be waiting, too.

 

Updated Mar 2025

The vehicle for your trip will be a rented, privately-insured 15-seat passenger van with up to 460 cubic feet of interior space.

On occasion, your vehicle may be a rented, privately-insured 7-seat minivans with up to 144 cubic feet of interior space.

Your vehicle suitable for your trip and all associated rental and insurance fees are included as part of your reservation.

The interiors of your vehicle are cleaned and sanitized before every trip by your driver.

If you have any questions or concerns about your riding experience, don't hesitate to ask using the chat box below. 

     

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I cancel my shuttle ride after I've reserved it? As you may already know, we have an awesome refund & cancellation policy and your shuttle fee can be refunded with advanced notice.

However, if you change your mind on the day of your pickup; or you appear physically unable to ride in our vehicle (i.e. you're sick or intoxicated); or if your behavior is threatening or harmful to other passengers and you are not permitted to enter the vehicle by your driver, we unfortunately will not be able to refund you.

And hey, it's OK if you do not feel comfortable for any reason, and we won't take offense. 

Is eating permitted in my shuttle? Yes. Please remember to take all your belongings and trash with you when you exit your vehicle.

Can I leave my stuff in my shuttle? Yes, however your driver may be making additional dropoffs, so please ask your driver.

Are pets allowed? Pets are allowed on most trips at the discretion of your trip host. Please make sure your pet is on a leash and not disturbing other passengers. Service stops will be included on most long trips.

 

Updated Dec 2024

These recommendations are intended to help you select things you already have in your closet. You do not need to any new or technical gear to participate in this trip.

• TOP: Any top that you'd use to go to the gym. But dress in layers. The number of layers you bring should be based on whether you tend to run hot or cold. Below is a layers explainer video.

• BOTTOM: Flannel, denim, corduroys, tights whatever you already have in your closet works as long as it doesn't restrict movement. Same explainer video as above, but cut to the pants.
• FOOTWEAR: Sturdy, waterproof boots or trail running shoes that drain or dry quickly if they get wet. Below is a footwear explainer video.

• ACCESSORIES:
• Face covering.
• Insect repellent.
• Sun screen.
• Favorite sunnies.
• Trekking poles.
• Fanny packs/day packs.
• Small hand towel (optional and doubles as seat pad).
• Tote bag or day pack for your belongings and trash - please no littering. Use Trashmap.org to find the nearest trash bin.

 

Updated Mar 2025

• Up to 1 to 2 liters of water, but you're welcome to bring more.
  
• Light snacks (pre-cut, pre-packed fresh fruit, dried fruit, trailmix, protein bars, veggie tray)*.
• Bring a lunch you can eat on the go (i.e. sandwiches, wraps)

*As a reminder, kindly take your trash with you, including fruit peels or cores. If it didn't grow there, it doesn't belong there.

Also, please submit the location of any trash bins you see to Trashmap.org. Help us keep parks trash free 🙏

Updated Mar 2025

PACE

Updated Mar 2025

We know we don't have to say this because you're all extremely mature and responsible, but this trip is a safe space. Please keep pets on leashes, don't smoke near crowds and don't drink to excess. Also, aggressive, unwelcome or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated, period.

 

Updated Dec 2024

 

To cancel or reschedule your trip, please reply to the confirmation email you received after you booked your trip. That's it. 

Don't forget to check your spam folder if you don't see it within a few minutes of making your reservation.

Learn what you're eligible for below:

UNDERSTANDING OUR NO QUESTIONS ASKED CANCELLATIONS POLICY

From the moment you make a reservation on Outerthere.com, there are a lot of people and processes involved to provide you with a safe, awesome experience and everything depends on reliable logistics and scheduling.

Occasionally, reservations sell out or need to be canceled. In such cases, we immediately notify you and offer you options, including rescheduling, credit towards other trips, donating your credit, gift cards or an immediate and full refund. That’s our policy.

In other cases, you may be running late, need to cancel, reschedule or switch your reservation. Here's how that breaks down for different types of trips:

ALL TRIPS

You have 24 hours (Members, 48 hours) after you've made your reservation to cancel a trip in order to be eligible to receive a full refund or credit, no questions asked. (See How Credits & Refunds Work below.)

In the event an unexpected circumstance causes you to cancel with less than 72 hours before your trip, any eligible refund or credit minus a 10% service fee will be processed within 21 business days upon request (Members will be processed next business day). Additionally, any add-on reservations for accommodations, camp sites, rentals and/or demonstrations are not eligible for refund or credit. 

Any reservations made with any Pass are not eligible for refunds/credits if canceled less than 72 hours before your trip.

See How Credits & Refunds Work below. Reply to your confirmation email for faster service. 

LATENESS

Your trip host and/or driver will notify you if they are running late to your meeting location and/or pickup. And if you are running late to a trip or pickup, please notify us and/or your trip host that you're running late, too. Your trip host may be able to wait at their discretion. Thank you.

If you are not able to make it to the meeting destination at the meeting time and miss your trip host and the group, we're sincerely sorry. That sucks. Especially after everything you went through to get there. And we know you don't need any more bad news, but you are unfortunately not eligible to reschedule or receive a credit* or refund for that trip, regardless of the circumstances. This includes Members.

DIRECT SHUTTLES AND MULTI-DAY TRIPS

You have 14 DAYS (Members, 10 days) before your trip to cancel a direct shuttle ride or multi-day trip in order to be eligible to receive a full refund or credit, no questions asked.

You have 10 DAYS (Members, 5 days) before your trip to cancel a direct shuttle ride or multi-day trip in order to receive credit for that trip.

• You are not able to book the same or different trip to replace any trip booked with a Sampler Pass. 

Reply to your trip confirmation email for faster service.

HOSTED/GUIDED DAY TRIPS

You have 10 DAYS (Members, 5 days) before your trip to cancel a day trip by any trip host in order to be eligible to receive a full refund or credit, no questions asked.

You have 3 DAYS (Members, 1 day) before your trip to cancel a trip by any trip host in order to receive credit for that trip.

• You are not able to book the same or different trip to replace any trip booked with a Sampler Pass. 

See How Credits & Refunds Work below. Reply to your trip confirmation email for faster service.

HOW CREDITS & REFUNDS WORK

Your credit is usable to reschedule the same trip, book a different trip, add on an amenity for a current or future trip and/or to purchase a Membership, Pass or Gift Card. But please note that your credit will expire after 90 days if not used. So, use it! Most credits are issued within 1 business day. Most refunds are processed within 5 business days (1 business days for Members).

DISCLAIMERS

The owner and operator of this website and its affiliates, partners and listed hosts reserve the right to change or cancel any itinerary or service at any time due to insufficient enrollment, bad weather conditions or other reasons without penalty.

a. If your reservation is cancelled due to inclement weather, dangerous conditions, a catastrophic disruption to a tour operator’s business, and/or public health emergencies, your reservation can be rescheduled, or your deposit will be credited or refunded, no questions asked. Weather-related cancellations are at the sole discretion of your trip host, not you or your weather app. And unless otherwise communicated, all trips occur rain or shine. That said, inclement weather, dangerous conditions, and/or public health emergencies are always a possibility on any outdoor activity, so there is no rescheduling or refunds during your trip or after you've been checked in.

b. In the unlikely event of a life-threatening emergency, participants may be liable for any rescue or evacuation costs incurred either on their behalf or as a result of their actions - depending upon trip location.

c. The participation of any person on any trip/program is continually subject to the discretion of your tour operator, Guides and/or Hosts.

d. No guarantees are made that you will enjoy your experience, including transportation, equipment rentals, destinations, schedules, accommodations, meals and/or trip host. The role of the hosts, guides and other operators is to use their judgement and experience to share with you a rewarding experience. If inclement weather, dangerous conditions and/or public health emergencies creates an unsafe experience - including any unexpected delays - a trip host/guide is empowered to change your schedule, itinerary and/or over planned experience. If time allows and your experience is deemed safe again, your host/guide is empowered to continue with the original experience schedule/itinerary. There will be no refunds, credits or rescheduling if any part of your experience is changed to accommodate safety. 

e. If you believe your host/guide to be unprepared, exercising poor judgement or behaving in an unsafe or inappropriate manner, please contact us by replying to your Welcome email  at any time to discuss available options.

Updated Mar 2025

TIME, DATE & DESCRIPTIONS POSTED HERE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR ANY REASON. Any changes regarding your trip will be emailed and texted to you.

Be aware that your trip may contain "side missions". Learn more about Side Missions here.

And remember, that sh_t does sometimes happen, so please don't panic if your trip host doesn't stick to a schedule exactly. Think of it as everything happening for a reason, even if you don't know what the reason is right away 🙂