The University Counseling Center, Center for Campus Wellness and Campus Recreation Services are inviting students to step away from the demands of campus life and into one of Utah’s most breathtaking landscapes through the new Capitol Reef Wellness Retreat.
Taking place during Fall Break, Oct. 12-15, the wellness retreat combines outdoor recreation, wellness education and meaningful connection to help students recharge while building practical skills that support their physical, mental and emotional well-being.
Throughout the retreat, students will take part in experiences that support physical wellness, nutrition and healthy habits and mental and emotional well-being. Activities include outdoor recreation, such as hiking and yoga, as well as wellness workshops, guided discussions and hands-on experiences designed to promote lifelong healthy habits.
“College can be incredibly busy, and students don’t often have the opportunity to intentionally slow down,” said Christina Kelly LeCluyse, associate director of outreach and programming for the University Counseling Center. “This retreat creates space for students to disconnect from daily stressors, reconnect with themselves and others and return to campus feeling refreshed and grounded.”
The experience will take place at the Capitol Reef Field Station, a solar-powered facility owned by Utah Valley University that was originally developed to support research and education focused on nature, sustainability, and the desert environment. Now available to higher education institutions, the field station provides classroom space, overnight accommodations, a kitchen and direct access to one of Utah’s most scenic landscapes.
Open to 18 students, the retreat will be facilitated by staff from the University Counseling Center, Center for Campus Wellness and Campus Recreation Services. Participants will also be joined by Volley, the University Counseling Center’s facility therapy dog, who will be along for the adventure.
Participation is free, with a $50 refundable deposit required to reserve a spot.
Applications open on Aug.17.