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Written By: Hailey Miller
Do you ever wonder if there was a way to destress from school and get that whiff of nature at the same time? If so, then the Outdoor Wellness Program is for you. If you haven’t heard of the Outdoor Wellness Program, they host many opportunities for students with nature-based programs, events and trips to offer students incredible outdoor experiences. You can find them stationed at the Lower Level of the ARC, called The Nest Gear Shop, where they offer equipment for students to rent free of cost.
The mental health awareness in this program incorporates nature activities to relieve students’ stress from their studies. During an interview with Rileigh Thompson, the Program Manager of The Outdoor Wellness Program, we discussed what this program encompasses. Thompson says, “we led both outdoor focused, traditional rec programs like hiking, climbing, backpacking and camping. Then, we also lead more wellness focused events, like birding, forest bathing, we’ve even done forest yoga.” The program gives students many opportunities to get the chance to de-stress and spend meaningful time outdoors. It can lead to both student and professional staff such as Thompson to help students reroute their focus on an activity that’s less stressful, so that they have the option to relax while dealing with academic stress.
During every program, students have the option to focus entirely on how they wantto improve their skills by first considering the level of difficulty for the trip upon free RSVP signup. Using a number scale range, one is defined as the easiest with five being the hardest of physical activity. The program also accommodates students that have any physical or mental disability, prioritizing each student’s’ needs of each program to ensure they enjoy their experience. The Outdoor Resources page is also another tool to provide students with information to better help and plan their next outdoor activities. They have multiple resources available to assist with route/trail finding, weather reporting, land units, local outdoor industry trainings and gear stores. They offer many ways to accommodate those with different interests and offer support to those students if struggling to find a program that engages them.
A local perspective to encourage beginners to explore outdoor activities are free gear rentals provided by The Nest Gear Shop. They hold tangible gear for an assortment of activities that is easier to get with just a swipe of a valid Husky Card ID. The Nest Gear Shop is guaranteed to bring a quicker and easier way for students to experience different activities in the community on campus and across the state.
The Outdoor Wellness Program provides the opportunity for students to work with the program through two positions. The Outdoor Wellness Leader (OWL) focuses entirely on facilitating and leading trips. This year, the program has a new position available for students: the Marketing Coordinator. It focuses on marketing materials and increasing engagement around campus. According to Thompson, “we train them on how to lead with leadership skills in general, in addition to technical skills in the field, and then also medical skills.” These on-campus roles give students important skills that are difficult to find outside of college while also offering a variety of other experiences to better prepare students for their experiences after college.
The Outdoor Wellness Program brings a chance to develop skills and knowledge while focusing on reducing stress from school through their events. As Thompson mentioned, “It’s not only to get people outside, but get outside responsibly and learn the skills that they need so that they can go beyond our program, beyond their college experience and become outdoor recreators and advocates.” The Outdoor Wellness Program ensures during every event that students gain the opportunity to carry a new understanding of their own futures and help them grow personally.
There is a possibility of an opportunity for an ARC phase 2 which could provide the Outdoor Wellness Program an expansion with a front facing gear shop. It could hold more gear along with a potential installation of a climbing wall near the area too. While it is dependent on students’ vote in the next year, it could be an exciting moment for students on campus. There are so many new activities that students can find with this program. So, come down to the ARC and find out what lies in the Nest.
Students are encouraged stop by the lower level of ARC at The Nest Gear Shop to ask any questions or express interest in any of their events or can contact the program via email at outdoor@uw.edu.
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