RESPITE & SELF-CARE
Nature Walks for Caregivers
Take some time out for yourself and enjoy nature with us.
In a Nutshell
First and Third Saturdays (weather permitting)
Only 10 Slots Available (First come, first served)
Short questionnaire to participate
Walks will last 45 minutes with a little stretching and friendly bobbing before and after.
Snacks provided, but bring your own water (and bottle)
Special group activity upon completion
What this is all about
We all know how good it is to exercise, but did you know that research shows that spending time in the forest is beneficial for you?
Countless studies have shown that being in nature can:
- lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels
- reduce nervous system arousal
- enhance immune system function
- increase self-esteem
- reduce anxiety, and
- improve mood.
(Want to know more? Visit this link: https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health)
We’re going to test that hypothesis and find out for ourselves while exploring all the beauty the Kansas City area has to offer us.
Scroll down to view our schedule and find out what the group reward for completing this series of walks will be!
After you sign up
Here’s what you can expect:
We'll reach out to you.
We’ll confirm your interest and then send you a short survey.
We'll send you the details about each walk in advance.
No surprises here! We want everyone to feel comfortable.
You must attend 50% of our walks to get our special group activity.
At the end of our walks, we’ll all go to Powell Gardens.
We'll ask you some more questions at the end.
To measure how spending time in nature helped us, we’ll ask you a few more questions. In exchange, you’ll receive an admission to go with us to Powell Gardens when our walks are finished.
Schedule
| Place | Date | Time | Location |
| Burr Oak Woods | 7/2/2022 | 9:30am | Blue Springs, MO |
| Mahaffie Creek Trail | 7/16/2022 | 9:30am | Olathe, KS |
| Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary | 8/6/2022 | 9:30am | Liberty, MO |
| Wyandotte County Lake Park | 8/20/2022 | 9:30am | Kansas City, KS |
| Lakeside Nature Center | 9/3/2022 | 9:30am | Kansas City, MO |
| George Owens | 9/17/2022 | 9:30am | Independence, MO |
| Missouri Riverfront Trail – ZONE 1 | 10/1/2022 | 9:30am | Riverside, MO |
| Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center | 10/15/2022 | 9:30am | Olathe, KS |
| Parkville Nature Sanctuary | 11/5/2022 | 3:00pm | Parkville, MO |
| Longview Lake | 11/19/2022 | 3:00pm | Kansas City, MO or Grandview (we haven’t decided where to start) |
| Gary Haller Trail | 12/3/2022 | 3:00pm | Shawnee, KS |
| Winterset Park Nature Area | 12/17/2022 | 3:00pm | Lee’s Summit, MO |
| Maple Woods Natural Area | 1/7/2023 | 3:00pm | Gladstone, MO |
| River Bluff Nature Trail | 1/21/2023 | 3:00pm | Independence, MO |
| Lake Jacomo – TCHA-TO-GA TRAIL | 2/4/2023 | 3:00pm | Lee’s Summit, MO or at the Lake Jacomo Campground (we haven’t decided where to start) |
| Blue River Parkway Trail | 2/18/2023 | 3:00pm | Kansas City, MO |
| Blue Springs Lake – Lake Vista Trail | 3/4/2023 | 3:00pm | Blue Springs, MO |
| Little Blue Trace Trail | 3/18/2023 | 3:00pm | Independence, MO |
| James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area | 4/1/2023 | 9:30am | Lee’s Summit, MO |
| Tomahawk Creek Trail | 4/15/2023 | 9:30am | Overland Park, KS |
| Line Creek Trail | 5/6/2023 | 9:30am | Riverside, MO |
| Riverfront Heritage Trail | 5/20/2023 | 9:30am | Kansas City, MO |
Are you in?
Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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