We have built trails on our campus and into the forest so groups can escape the indoors and go out to experience the sights and sounds of nature. Hikes are a great way to stimulate the mind. Each step is taken to make sure the footing is solid as one perceives open spaces that offer many diverse colors and textures.
Going on a hike is both a physical and a spiritual journey. It is the perfect environment for shared experiences that connect with peers and mentors. Nature inspires different kinds of conversations that are free-flowing and often encompass topics bigger than ourselves.
It often takes several different ways to break through the psychological walls people build to hide their emotional pain. That is why we continually adjust pedagogical structures and recreational activities to achieve academic success, therapeutic growth and enable spiritual awakenings. That way, paths initially perceived as difficult become effortless as distance creates closeness.
