NAEP students participate in forest therapy walk at Green Lakes State Park

By Nickolas Scholz, NSCSD Director of Mathematics and Native American Education Program

On April 23, a group of students with the Native American Education Program (NAEP) took part in a unique and enriching Forest Therapy Walk event at Green Lakes State Park. A forest therapy walk—often referred to as "forest bathing"—is a guided, slow-paced, and mindful experience in nature, aimed at fostering a deep connection to the natural world through the senses.

Leading the event was June Leo-Randazzo, a certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT). Throughout the walk, Leo-Randazzo offered a series of "invitations," or gentle prompts, designed to help participants engage with their surroundings through sight, smell, sound, touch, and even imagination. These activities encouraged students to be present in the moment, fully attuned to the natural environment around them.

The experience culminated in a tea ceremony, where students enjoyed tea crafted from locally foraged plants, along with a selection of snacks. This mindful conclusion provided an opportunity for reflection and communal connection, reinforcing the day's themes of balance, nature, and belonging.

Nick Scholz, Director of the Native American Education Program, emphasized the deeper significance of the event:

“This opportunity was designed to help our Native American students and their peers connect with nature and explore the cultural heritage that shapes their identity.”

The Forest Therapy Walk is just one of many cultural enrichment activities offered through the NAEP, reflecting the program’s commitment to honoring and nurturing students' cultural identities. Events like this not only celebrate Indigenous heritage but also offer meaningful moments of growth, healing, and connection for all participants.