Anoka County Parks is bringing the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, also known as forest bathing, to the locals. Certified Forest Therapy Guide Kirsten Welge, associated with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, is leading these immersive nature walks at Wargo Nature Center.
Forest bathing doesn't ask you to sweat it out but instead invites you to slow completely down and sensitize to the environment. According to recent program announcements, up-and-coming sessions include March 9, March 18, and the Earth Day special on April 22. And it's not just for the tree-huggers; anyone looking to catch their breath from city life can participate throughout the year.
For the little ones and their adult companions, there's the 'Nature Play: Winter's for the Birds' event on February 3rd at Bunker Hills Regional Park. It's designed for the kiddos, ages 2-5, with a neat price tag of $5 for the child and accompanying adult. If nocturnal escapades are more your thing, consider the 'Animal Night Hike' scheduled for the same day at the Wargo Nature Center, welcoming those aged seven and up for $10 a person.
For folks looking to break a mild sweat, Anoka County has a plethora of options. Try the 'Evening Snowshoe Hike' on February 16 at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, or go for something more classic like learning to cross-country ski with sessions on February 21, 24, and an oddly listed February 29 (oops, a leap year typo). As the mercury rises and we march into warmer days, keep an eye out for the 'Summer Day Camp' registration kicking off March 4, 2024.
All of these experiences come with a promise: to connect with nature and presumably, with a part of yourself that's easy to lose in the digital shuffle. For more information or to take the plunge and register, hit up the Anoka County Parks website.
