Take a ‘hike’
Rotating walks around region keeps people active
NORTHERN MICHIGAN – The Crawford County Commission on Aging (CCCOA) and Huron Pines are hosting Unwind Outside, a weekly 2-hour walking program that ties in health and wellness activities like stretching, observation and nature journaling.
Meetups will take place every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. from Sept 3 to Oct 8 at a different location (see schedule at end of article). Participants are encouraged to wear good shoes and bring water, a pen or pencil and a journal to write in.
Social distancing will be enforced, and participants will need to fill out a health questionnaire at each meetup. Masks are encouraged but not required.
Huron Pines AmeriCorps member Jennifer Klemm will join the Sept 3 and Oct 8 hikes, offering nature-observation and journaling techniques and mindfulness exercises that will help participants enhance their time spent outdoors. These techniques will be used in all six weekly programs.
“So often we just blow past things we might not notice but if we want to make the most of our experience, we have to be present,” Klemm said. “Slowing down, looking, and listening helps us do that. It’s important to me to help people make those connections so they can foster their ties with the environment.”
Kaitlyn Grieb, Fitness and Wellness Coordinator for CCCOA, said about 20 minutes of each walk will be reserved for quiet time and journaling.
“Mental health is just as important as physical health,” Grieb said. “They go hand in hand.”
If you have any questions or need more information please contact Kaitlyn Grieb at CCCOA, 989-348-7123 or kgrieb@crawfordcoa.org. This series is open to all ages and registration is required.
Unwind Outside series schedule:
- Sept. 3: Marl Lake, Roscommon County
- Sept. 10: Rayburn Trail, Crawford County
- Sept. 17: Wakeley Lake, Crawford County
- Sept. 24: Gahagan Nature Preserve, Roscommon County
- Oct. 1: Hanson Hills, Crawford County
- Oct. 8: Hartwick Pines, Crawford County
