During a Saunter, we move slowly and don’t go far. Your guide will offer ways of connecting back to the earth through naturalism interpretation and mindfulness exercises. You'll be invited to make nature art, find friends who are trees, let your problems go on a leaf, and so much more! All of this will off you a sense of ease and well-being that will last. Saunter activities are easy to follow, transferable to any space, build resilience, and are repeatable so you can make a practice of what you learn on your own!
Here are some example of activities:
Mindfulness Practices: Meditation, Breathwork, Yoga
Naturalism Interpretation: Flora and Fauna ID, tracking, reading the landscape
Nature Crafts: Mandalas, Drawing, Collages
Nature Connection: Let Problems Go on a Leaf/Rock, Find a Tree-Friend
Exploration & Play: Fort/Faerie Houses, Stick Boats, Rolling Over Log
Saunters are designed for adults. If you seek peace, desire more time in nature, want to learn more about mindfulness or reading a landscape, and want to join a group of like-minded people who want the same thing, please consider signing up for one of our upcoming saunters!
We believe adults also deserve time and space to get off the grid and into their hearts!
There is also a growing need for connection back to the earth and each other in all of us, so we are so pleased to be offering a means of connecting with nature as a resource for wellness to adult members of our Midcoast community.
Saunters are 90 minutes, with 15 minutes on either side for getting in and out of the space, saying hello and goodbye.
Saunters cost $25. We also offer 50% scholarship.
This covers the cost for staff to plan and guide each 2-hour program. (90 minute Saunter, with 15 minutes on either side for getting in and out of the space). Additional profits support our scholarship fund for our youth programs.
The marvelous Erin Quinley! Erin enthusiastically joined Hearty Roots last summer as a Summer Adventure Mentor, and we’ve been lucky enough to keep her in our fold! You can learn more about her here, and more about her vision and inspiration for bringing Saunters to our community below.
From Erin
“When I was at my lowest point I went to the woods. Where I had found so much joy and spent so many happy moments as a child, was where I found the healing and renewal I needed as a sorely wounded adult. I began my journey by gardening with my grandmother, getting my hands in the dirt and being responsible for little lives gave me a sense of connection with the earth and my heritage that grounded me. Then I learned about meditation and mindfulness, and found that practicing these tools in nature enriched my experience. Finally, I was introduced to the holy practice of sauntering. Sauntering comes from the French term “saint terrers”, which is what pilgrims going on foot to the holy land, saint terre, were called long ago. At the pace of a saunter, a slow, mindful, inquisitive movement through a green space becomes an experience that can improve mindset and one’s quality of life. There is scientific evidence that just 20 minutes of time spent mindfully engaged outside can lower cortisol levels, increase endorphins, oxytocin and melatonin, and lower blood pressure. I have experienced all of this, and had a really wonderful time doing it and I want to share it with you.”
Join us for our February Saunter — a slow, mindful, inquisitive walk through Winter’s embrace.
