Halloween is over, but your Week 8 to do list might still qualify as a horror story.
That paper is due. That exam is coming. And somehow, every class seems to have agreed that this is the perfect time to assign something big.
With the end of the term getting closer and everything piling up, taking a break can feel like the last thing you have time for. But this is also when making room for one becomes especially important.
The Student Health and Counseling Center is bringing Nature Prescription to Kalamazoo College, and its upcoming kickoff gives us a chance to step away from our desks and spend some time outside.
There will also be cider and donuts. In case you needed that information before reading any further.
First, what exactly is Nature Rx?
Nature Rx, short for Nature Prescription, encourages people to support their health and well-being by intentionally spending time in nature. That might mean going for a walk, joining an outdoor activity or slowing down to notice what’s around you.
The idea is simple: connecting with nature can be part of how we take care of ourselves.
The Student Health and Counseling Center is introducing Nature Prescription to K as part of Campus Nature Rx, an organization that helps colleges connect students with nature. To get things started, they’re hosting Go Buzz Outdoors—Nature Prescription Kick-Off on Friday, November 6, open to everyone.
And before you look at the schedule and think, “I do not have an entire afternoon for this,” there’s something you should know.
You don’t have to attend everything.
You can watch a webinar and head back to your day. You can skip the webinars and come straight to the fire pit. You can join an evening activity even if you missed the earlier events. Pick what interests you and works with YOUR schedule.
Here’s what’s happening.
Want to learn more? Start with the symposium.
From 12–1 p.m., the Campus Nature Rx Symposium begins with “How Nature Improves the Mind, Body, and Community,” a keynote presented by Marc Berman, PhD, from the University of Chicago’s Department of Psychology and author of Nature and the Mind.
From 1–4 p.m., breakout sessions will feature educators, researchers, students, and partners sharing what they’re teaching, learning, and trying through nature engagement.
You can watch both in Bissell Theater or on your own through campusnature.com. You can drop in during the breakout sessions whenever your schedule allows.
Mostly interested in the cider, donuts, and actual going outside part? Meet us at 4.
From 4-4:30 p.m., gather at the Cavern Fire Pit on Upper Quad for cider, donuts, a fire, and a chance to meet the campus and community partners involved.
These include Outdoor Programs, the Larry J. Bell ’80 Environmental Stewardship Center, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo County Parks and Gazelle Sports.
You can also enter to win prizes, including Owala water bottles, an insulated mug, a hiking day pack, nature journals, umbrellas, and ponchos.
The gathering will happen in rain, shine, or snow, so dress for the weather and come spend part of your afternoon with us.
At 4:30 p.m., choose where to go next.
Activities will continue into the evening, with options including:
- Hoop House Open Hours
- A medication session in the Grove
- A tree walk
- A West Main Hill neighborhood walk
- Sunset viewing at the “Lookout”
- A German Lantern walk
- A Candlelit Hike at the Kalamazoo Nature Center
Maybe you want to explore. Maybe a quieter moment in the Grove sounds good. Maybe you’ve been meaning to check out the Hoop House and could use a reason to finally go.
You can choose an activity that interests you, whether or not you attended anything earlier.
Your assignments will still be there when you get back.
Possibly not the most comforting sentence, but it does mean you can give yourself a little time away from them.
During Week 8, it’s easy to feel like every spare minute should go toward getting something done. Nature Rx is an invitation to make some room for yourself in that schedule, too. A walk, a conversation, or a few minutes around a fire can have a place in your afternoon.
So, on Friday, November 6, join whichever part works for you. And if you have an opening at 4 p.m., come find us at the Cavern Fire Pit on Upper Quad.
The to-do list is long. A cider and donut break can be on it.
Written by: Romina Viramontes-Vargas K’28, Environmental Stewardship Intern
Larry J. Bell ’80 Environmental Stewardship Center
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