Five things you can't miss at the Pop-up Picnic on July 25

In February 2018, the Campus Mental Health Strategy (CMHS) invested in picnic tables, creating two new spaces on campus — one at the Rozsa Centre and the other at Science B — where our community can connect and collaborate outdoors.

Now, the CMHS is inviting you to take a mental health minute (or two) and celebrate at the Pop-up Picnic on July 25. Bring your colleagues and stop by the Rozsa Centre loop from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to check out these five free drop-in activities.  

1. Zumba:  Ditch the workout and join the party! With simple steps to the beat of Latin and world music, this dance party led by Active Living will burn calories and leave you feeling energized. Sessions run from 12:20 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 12:55 p.m. to 1:20 p.m.
2. Wildflower planting: Get down in the dirt and plant a personal pot of wildflowers. Whether you’re an expert gardener or want to brighten your backyard, the Garden Club will walk you through the steps of planting and caring for different varieties of native wildflowers. 
3. 15-minute mindfulness: Learn how to use the natural sounds, smells, and physical sensations of the outdoors to heighten your awareness and be present. Led by Alex Klassen, this relaxing session will also offer opportunities to ask questions and access resources to continue your personal practice. Sessions will begin at 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m.
4. Wellness booths and lawn games: Challenge your colleagues to a quick round of ladder-golf, best them at bocce ball or try your hand at giant Connect Four. Visit a wellness booth to get started and learn about the resources available on campus.
5. Food trucks: Gourmet ice pops and freshly-squeezed lemonade, anyone? Earn free vouchers for the Family Freezed and Family Squeezed food trucks by participating in any activity. We sweetened the deal and pre-paid for 100 orders at each truck, so arrive early to guarantee yourself a tasty treat.  

Need more cause to celebrate? Hosted in collaboration with the Office of Sustainability, this festive afternoon is also the university’s first Gold-certified sustainable event, meaning our drop-in activities are as good for you as they are for our campus.

The Pop-up Picnic is on July 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rozsa Centre loop. For more information including the full schedule of events, visit the CMHS website. 

The University of Calgary’s Campus Mental Health Strategy is a bold commitment to the importance of mental health and well-being of our university family. Our vision is to be a community where we care for each other, learn and talk about mental health and well-being, receive support as needed, and individually and collectively realize our full potential.