Upcoming Events

Other Events and Information

Hunt for Happiness Days:

Leave a Positive Review: On the first day of our Hunt for Happiness challenge, we're encouraging you to leave a positive review for a business or product that you had a good experience with. Taking part in this action gives people a sense of kinship and integration. It’s nice to know that your opinion has the power to help others/businesses, and that together, you’re potentially making the world just a little bit better in your own way! (January 11)

Declutter and Organize: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to be quarantined in smaller spaces for longer periods of time, causing stress, anxiety and a feeling that we don't have control.  One thing that we can control is how we clean and organize our space. A clean, organized and de-cluttered space has the power to positively affect our mental health by decreasing stress, increasing focus and finding inspiration.  For day 2 of Hunt for Happiness, we're challenging you to pick one space in your area to declutter/organize.  Take a before an after picture and tag us on instagram @etownrecwell.  We'll pick one winner to receive an Organizer Box set and a Sustainable/Resusable Planner for 2022! (January 12)

Shop Small: Shopping small has many positive impacts on our environment, community and happiness.  It has the ability to reduce environmental impacts; residents of neighborhoods with vibrant local businesses drive approximately 26% less automobile miles.  It helps support our community; locally owned businesses contribute 2.5 times more than large corporations to local fundraisers, organizations and other charitable causes.  It also keeps income local; $68 of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the community compared to $43 or less if purchasing from a national chain (source: sustainableconnections.org).  You can help support our community by shopping at some of these local businesses! (January 13)

Local Volunteer Opportunities (January 14)

• Bethesda Mission:  Volunteer - Bethesda Mission
• Brethren Housing:  Ways to Get Involved | Brethren Housing Association (bha-pa.org)
• Church World Service:  Individual and Group Volunteers | CWS Lancaster
• Cornerstone Youth Ministries:  https://cornerstoneetown.org/vol
• ECHO:  Get Involved – ECHOS Lancaster
• GEARS:  Join Our Team | GEARS (getintogears.org)
• Habitat for Humanity: https://lancasterlebanonhabitat.org/volunteer-opportunities/
• Midwest Food Bank:  Pennsylvania - Midwest Food Bank
• Ronald McDonald House Hershey PA:  Volunteer - Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central PA (rmhc-centralpa.org)
• Water Street Mission:  Volunteer with Us - Water Street Mission | Serving Lancaster, PA (wsm.org)

Contact civicengagement@etown.edu for a list of suggested nonperishable donations for Blue Jay Pantry and the Elizabethtown Community Cupboard.  Tutoring, afterschool programming, scout leadership and NAACP coaching opportunities are also available.

The Practice of Reiki: Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.  A Reiki session can treat the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. For our next Hunt for Happiness Challenge, we want to encourage you to try out a Reiki session on Friday, January 21 with Elizabethtown local, Alexandra Piccioni, as she guides you through a 45 minute Reiki session.  There will be 4 sessions (9am, 10am, 11am and 12pm) in the Group Fitness Room.  Sessions will be capped at 5 people per session.   Sign up on a first come, first serve basis at https://www.etown.edu/bowers-center/group-fitness/schedule.aspx  (January 17)

Self Care: Self-care is often overlooked even though it is extremely important to your overall well-being.  Practicing regular self-care can enhance your self-esteem, improve your productivity, boost your physical health, increase positivity and happiness…and that’s just the beginning!  Make self-care a priority in 2022!  Stop by the Well during our open hours (10 am – 7 pm) Tuesday, January 18 to receive a self-care kit to help you get started making self-care part of your regular schedule. (January 18)

Game Night: In a culture where everyone runs from one activity to the next, setting aside time to spend with friends isn't always easy. For our next Hunt for Happiness Challenge, we're inviting you to the Bowers Center Lower and Upper Lounge for a game night!  Game nights not only bring you laughter and enjoyment, but helps you spend quality time with your friends!  Bring your friends to the Bowers Center Wednesday, January 19 from 6-8 PM to participate in some board games and fun! (January 19)

Sustainability - Reuse and Recycle:  In 2018, the United States generated 67,390,000 tons of paper and cardboard waste.  Per capita, individuals are generating approximately 4.9 pounds of municipal solid waste each day.  That's increased 0.5 pounds from 2017 to 2018 (source: epa.gov). There are so many reason to practice sustainability.  Recycling paper can reduce the amount of trees being cut down, save landfill spaces and help reduce greenhouse gases. Do your part and drop off any unused paper to The Well from now until the end of January and we will recycle it for you (during The Well open hours)!  Anyone that brings in paper to recycle will receive a reusable grocery bag! (January 20)

Leave 2021 Behind You Fitness Incentive

We thought 2021 was "our year."  It was not.  Let’s leave it behind us and work towards a healthier and happier you! Log minutes for every fitness and wellness activity that you perform from January 24-February 25.  Submit your activities every week.  Everyone that reaches 2,022 minutes of fitness and wellness activity goes into a raffle to win an Apple Watch!  Win more prizes along the way for reaching milestones! To register, students and employees can email recwell@etown.edu.  Check out a list of activities here.

CPR Certifications

The Office of Campus Recreation and Well-Being offers certification through the American Red Cross for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED. The cost for current Elizabethtown College students, staff and faculty is $65. The cost for community members is $80. Visit our CPR Certification website for more information and to register for one of the following upcoming classes:

• January 21  (4 time slots, 8 people/session): 7:30 am - 9:00 am, 10:00 am - 11:30 am, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
• February 18  (4 time slots, 8 people/session): 7:30 am - 9:00 am, 10:00 am - 11:30 am, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
• March 25  (4 time slots, 8 people/session): 7:30 am - 9:00 am, 10:00 am - 11:30 am, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
• April 8  (4 time slots, 8 people/session): 7:30 am - 9:00 am, 10:00 am - 11:30 am, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Get Out and Hike!

Hiking has many health benefits, from physical to emotional and mental. Lancaster County is home to tons of hiking trails! Visit one of these four hiking trails that are all less than 8 miles from campus!

• NW Lancaster County River Trail
  
• Conewago Recreational Trail
  
• Bellaire Woods Nature Preserve
  
• Cove Outlook Park Loop
  

Etown RecWell YouTube Channel

Check out our new EtownRecWell YouTube Channel, where we will be posting fun and interactive videos such as quick, inexpensive cooking demonstration and workouts you can do at home!

• Pantry Vegetable Soup - Find the recipe here!
• Scrambled Egg Breakfast Muffins - Find the recipe here!
• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas - Find the recipe here!
• Baked Banana & Chocolate Chip Oatmeal - Find the recipe here!
• Chickpea Salad - Find the recipe here!
• Healthy Crispy Chick - Find the recipe here!
• Protein Bites - Find the recipe here!
• Cooking with the J's: Healthy Recipes for the Mind and Body post-session information
• Pre and Post Run Stretches
• Audio Running Class
• Ab Workouts
• Upper Body Workouts
• Lower Body Workouts
• Spin classes
• ...and more!