Come join us outside for a more reflective session, this hike’s theme will be connecting with water through poetry. Bring your favourites.About this Event
As a complement to the Transgender Drop-In at HIV/AIDS Resources & Community Health ("ARCH"), we are excited to be offering this exciting limited pilot project.Nature in Transition is where our inner trans and non-binary nature meets the wondrous natural world around us - in a series aimed at cultivating emotional wellness, positive well-being, confidence, and connection through mindfulness-based nature hikes.We will meet at the Arboretum Centre, in front of the main doors by the small pond. From there we will have a brief check-in about the expectations, goals, and desires of the group, as well as additional resources available in the community and ways to get involved. Each hike will focus on one key element of cultivating resiliencey as queer and trans people, and the hike will centre around that topic through a series of reflection prompts followed by quiet time along the trails. We will end with a group chat, check-out, and individuals are welcome to follow up with peers should they require additional support.***
This hike’s theme will be connecting with water through poetry.
In a time where many of us are feeling the effects of sustained isolation, let us remember that we are never alone. Lets gather with the cedars, white pines, tamaracks and dogwoods along the banks of the Speed and Eramosa rivers and remember that humans are just one kind of person in this great ecology of life. Let us recite the magic of our favourite verses, or speak directly from our own hearts- for ourselves and each other- in a time when questions like “How are you doing?” seem absurd and unanswerable.
This walk is simply an invitation to give our bodies the gift of connecting with bark, air, and water; to laugh with the green-headed ducks and be with our non-human kin. There will be small, optional prompts for poem creation along the way and the opportunity to speak whatever poetry wants spoken with the group and/or with the river.
Feel free to bring along your favourite book of poetry or an excerpt to share, participants are welcome to share their own original poetry as well. All attendees are invited to share but no one will be expected to.
DUE TO COVID WE ARE LIMITED TO HAVING ONLY 10 PEOPLE PRESENT.
REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO 8 PEOPLE AND ATTENDEES MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE.
The session will be facilitated by a staff member from ARCH and a trained peer support worker who has been trained in motivational interviewing and peer support who both identify as trans individuals. Referrals will be available for those who may need additional support through more formal networks.
Participants are reminded of the sensitive nature of this topic and to participate as much or as little as their mental health and capacity allows for on the day of the hike. Though we will have active listeners available during the session, if you require more support at any time consider reaching out to here247.ca or www.translifeline.org.
***Accessibility***
The Arboretum is accessible by public transit, and the Arboretum Centre is located at the east end of the Arboretum, off of College or Victoria road. There is ample parking near the centre via the College Road entrance to the Arboretum. We will be walking trails with minimal/no change in elevation, with established trails and will be quite low intensity. However, with the amount of freeze and thaw we've experienced in recent days, the trails may be wet or slippery and more difficult for some attendees.
This hike is limited in its physical accessibility, mostly due to the weather and current amount of rain/snow/ice. Accessibility will remain a priority for the hikes into the future and many will be fully accessible for those who use wheelchairs or mobility aids.
Unfortunately we cannot provide childcare for this event, however children are welcome to attend and participate! We ask that they are dressed extra warm for the weather and that all participants contribute to making the space fun and accessible for individuals of all ages and abilities. This includes refraining from wearing scents/perfumes and refraining from consuming drugs or alcohol during the hike.
There are gender neutral washrooms available on campus at the University Centre and the Bullring, however these facilities are approximately 15-20 minutes from the Arboretum Centre.
***Participants are encouraged to dress appropriate for the weather with lots of warm and waterproof layers (especially shoes!). Dress warm, friends!
This event is offered for free by ARCH.
Questions?
Feel free to get in touch with the facilitator, Jasper, at [email protected]
Event Venue
The Arboretum, 200 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, Canada
CAD 0.00