Sometimes you just need to take a moment to breathe. In addition to the low ropes challenge programs, Recreation, Outdoor Education & Wellness also offers wellness and mindfulness programs that connect participants with the calm, verdant surroundings of Temple Ambler. There are many ways that augmenting your experience in a group or individual way can improve your overall health.

Programs include: Labyrinth Walk, Mindful Moment, Nature Mandalas, Meditation + Self Reflection, Guided Meditation and Nature Journaling. These activities may be led by a facilitator or self-led.

There is extensive research that suggests that simply being under tree canopies can lead to a reduction in symptoms related to stress, anxiety and depression. Cornell University’s studies NatureRx suggests that nature wellness programming improves cognitive ability mood and overall health in addition to reducing reactions to stress and boosting health and wellbeing. 

In our current society — particularly for individuals in urban and suburban areas — “people often sit in traffic for 30 to 90 minutes before sitting in front of a computer all day,” said Lynn.

“We then return home in traffic and feel little energy or desire to engage in ‘relaxing’ activities that would take place outdoors. For the sake of time, that makes sense — there are only so many hours in a day,” she said. “Our programs are designed with outdoor mindfulness in mind, to help people take a step back and reconnect because so often we are focused on constantly moving and going. We are part of nature; I think we forget that sometimes.”

For students and other members of the Temple community, “I hope that they have fun in the programs we’ll be offering, try something new and see, hear and smell something new in this natural setting,” Lynn said.

“I hope they feel something new as well, that they feel something surprising,” she said. “I think everyone will have their own takeaways from these experiences. I hope they make these programs their own.”