GWHTN Kaleidoscope 2022: A Weekend of Fun, Friendship, & Learning

Registered participants should arrive and check-in prior to dinner.

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Dinner from 630 - 730p

Networking Bonfire 730p-9p

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A slow, mindful walk that integrates short, guided meditation to start your day. 

Valerie Radu is a certified ecotherapist, clinical social worker, and educator based in the beautiful Tennessee Valley.  She also recently completed the forest guide training through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides

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This presentation will be lead by ambassador Meg Mecuiba who is a physical therapist as well as a hiking enthusiast. We will go over common trail injuries and how to prevent them. We will also go over general exercises to build up stamina for longer hikes. In addition we will do some fun partner and group activities (nothing too hard, I promise!). Everyone will leave with a print out of exercises for their reference at a later date.

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LED BY AMBASSADORS JOY LONG (SE) AND SHAY ASHCROFT (EAST)

TN STATE PARK PASSPORT PROGRAM: Nature lovers can earn passport stamps and badges for visiting all 56 TN State Parks with the TN State Park Passport Program at their leisure. Once completed, nature lovers will receive an awards package from the State of Tennessee, including a free ranger-led hike and a certificate of state park ambassadorship. In addition, GWHTN challenges hikers to complete the passport program within 12 months to win additional awards, including a $25 gift certificate to any TN state park. This workshop will cover registering and getting started, requirements for both the state and GWHTN challenges, organizing your park trips for efficiency, local eateries, and additional tips and tricks.

56 STATE PARK CHALLENGE

1. How to register 2. How to get started 3. Requirements of the challenge 4. Passport books 5. How to mail in your passport book to the state (Rewards from the state and GWHTN) 6. Organizing parks to be seen together for easy traveling 7. Local restaurants near parks 8. Helpful tips to make it easier

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LED BY AMBASSADOR JUANITA WADE (SE)

Nine out of ten people who visit the outdoors are uninformed about Leave No Trace and minimizing their impacts. Leave No Trace training is helping to instill an outdoor ethic in all those who enjoy spending time outside.The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace provide an easily understood framework of minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors.   This presentation will review the 7 principles and discuss practical strategies for being a good steward of all the amazing outdoor areas in TN.

1. PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE

2. TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES

3. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY

4. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND

5. MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS

6. RESPECT WILDLIFE

7. BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS

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LED BY:  LAUREN BEASLEY & KACIE KELLEY (SUBSCRIBERS IN MIDDLE TN)

Women represent between 20-30% of backpackers; only recently has gear been designed specifically for women!  This presentation will discuss backpacking basics (gear, safety, trail planning, travel, food, etc.) and also show various types of gear from affordable to high tech.  This will be an interactive presentation!

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LED BY LEAD AMBASSADOR VALERIE RADU (SE)

Research reveals that environments can increase or reduce our stress, which in turn impacts our bodies. What you are seeing, hearing, experiencing at any moment is changing not only your mood, but how your nervous, endocrine, and immune systems are working. The stress of an unpleasant environment can cause you to feel anxious, or sad, or helpless. This in turn elevates your blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension and suppresses your immune system. Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.  This session explores practical strategies you can practice while out in nature to deepen the positive and therapeutic effects on your mental wellness.  The TN State Parks Program:  Healthy Parks Healthy Person TN will be discussed as a tool for participants to use.

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LED BY AMBASSADORS JOY LONG (SE) AND SHAY ASHCROFT (EAST)

TN STATE PARK PASSPORT PROGRAM: Nature lovers can earn passport stamps and badges for visiting all 56 TN State Parks with the TN State Park Passport Program at their leisure. Once completed, nature lovers will receive an awards package from the State of Tennessee, including a free ranger-led hike and a certificate of state park ambassadorship. In addition, GWHTN challenges hikers to complete the passport program within 12 months to win additional awards, including a $25 gift certificate to any TN state park. This workshop will cover registering and getting started, requirements for both the state and GWHTN challenges, organizing your park trips for efficiency, local eateries, and additional tips and tricks.

56 STATE PARK CHALLENGE

1. How to register 2. How to get started 3. Requirements of the challenge 4. Passport books 5. How to mail in your passport book to the state (Rewards from the state and GWHTN) 6. Organizing parks to be seen together for easy traveling 7. Local restaurants near parks 8. Helpful tips to make it easier

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LED BY AMBASSADOR JUANITA WADE (SE)

Nine out of ten people who visit the outdoors are uninformed about Leave No Trace and minimizing their impacts. Leave No Trace training is helping to instill an outdoor ethic in all those who enjoy spending time outside.The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace provide an easily understood framework of minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors.   This presentation will review the 7 principles and discuss practical strategies for being a good steward of all the amazing outdoor areas in TN.

1. PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE

2. TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES

3. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY

4. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND

5. MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS

6. RESPECT WILDLIFE

7. BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS

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LED BY:  LAUREN BEASLEY & KACIE KELLEY (SUBSCRIBERS IN MIDDLE TN)

Women represent between 20-30% of backpackers; only recently has gear been designed specifically for women!  This presentation will discuss backpacking basics (gear, safety, trail planning, travel, food, etc.) and also show various types of gear from affordable to high tech.  This will be an interactive presentation!

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LED BY AMBASSADORS KATHY FULTON (SE) AND MELISSA HOLCOMBE (SE)

A Google search for “women camping tips” brought up these results (!):

 Is it safe for a woman to go camping alone?

What should you not do while camping?

What should you lay on when camping?

How do you entertain yourself while camping?

Is camping alone weird?

Do you lock your tent when camping?

This presentation will answer some of these questions and facilitate a discussion of various helpful tips when camping - in a tent or RV . Also suggestions for camping with your dog!  Bring your questions, suggestions, and ideas!  Audience participation and discussion encouraged!

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LED BY LEAD AMBASSADOR VALERIE RADU (SE)

Research reveals that environments can increase or reduce our stress, which in turn impacts our bodies. What you are seeing, hearing, experiencing at any moment is changing not only your mood, but how your nervous, endocrine, and immune systems are working. The stress of an unpleasant environment can cause you to feel anxious, or sad, or helpless. This in turn elevates your blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension and suppresses your immune system. Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.  This session explores practical strategies you can practice while out in nature to deepen the positive and therapeutic effects on your mental wellness.  The TN State Parks Program:  Healthy Parks Healthy Person TN will be discussed as a tool for participants to use.

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LED BY LEAD AMBASSADORS TAMMY LAMBERT (MIDDLE) AND ASH BAILEY (EAST)

A 2019 survey by the Appalachia Trail Association found that 40.6% of hikers were women with a median age of 36.  Hiking is one of the most population outdoor activities in the US; GWHTN supports women of all ages and levels of experience in getting outside and enjoying our beautiful state.  Not sure what “elevation change” or “blaze” or “base layer” mean?  You’re not alone so come and learn! This presentation will discuss hiking tips and strategies from beginner to expert levels including basic gear for day hiking in TN.  Come with your experiences, questions, and ideas!

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LED BY: Emmalee Taylor | Assistant State Naturalist

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Ambassadors Courtney Williams (Middle) and Emilee Null (SE) are excited to get crafty with the GWHTN ladies at our Fall Kaleidoscope! We will have crafts for everyone and every skill level. Craft #1 is painting wood slices freehand or with stencils to be used as a coaster, decoration, or ornament. Next we have nature inspired metal stamping where you create a dog tag or bracelet. Lastly, you can decorate and create a custom packing checklist for your next backpacking, camping, or hiking adventure. Come do a craft (or 3) with us!

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LED BY AMBASSADOR RACHEL MICHAUD (WEST)

When we step outside, we open ourselves to new worlds. Documenting those worlds in a nature journal helps us look more closely and gives us the chance to revisit our adventures with the simple turn of a page. In this session, explore nature journaling as a way to enrich your outdoor experiences, whether you're hammocking in the backyard or trekking the Appalachian Trail. You'll come away with a simple yet powerful framework for documenting and reflecting on your time in nature — no artistic skills required!

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LED BY AMBASSADOR JUANITA WADE (SE)

Tips and Tricks on how to use your cell phone to take great pics while hiking. Don't think that you can't come away form a hike with amazing photos while only using your phone camera. We will look at composition, lines, subjects, and more. Then we will have some fun trying out what we learned.

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Join two experienced GWHTN Ambassadors, Kathy Fulton and Joy Long (SE region) for a discussion about what's expected of Ambassadors.  They'll share strategies, skills, and lessons learned from their experience.  Bring your questions!!!

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LED BY AMBASSADOR JUANITA WADE (SE)

Tips and Tricks on how to use your cell phone to take great pics while hiking. Don't think that you can't come away form a hike with amazing photos while only using your phone camera. We will look at composition, lines, subjects, and more. Then we will have some fun trying out what we learned.

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LED BY LEAD AMBASSADORS TAMMY LAMBERT (MIDDLE) AND ASH BAILEY (EAST)

A 2019 survey by the Appalachia Trail Association found that 40.6% of hikers were women with a median age of 36.  Hiking is one of the most population outdoor activities in the US; GWHTN supports women of all ages and levels of experience in getting outside and enjoying our beautiful state.  Not sure what “elevation change” or “blaze” or “base layer” mean?  You’re not alone so come and learn! This presentation will discuss hiking tips and strategies from beginner to expert levels including basic gear for day hiking in TN.  Come with your experiences, questions, and ideas!

Add to Calendar

LED BY: Emmalee Taylor | Assistant State Naturalist

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Ambassadors Courtney Williams (Middle) and Emilee Null (SE) are excited to get crafty with the GWHTN ladies at our Fall Kaleidoscope! We will have crafts for everyone and every skill level. Craft #1 is painting wood slices freehand or with stencils to be used as a coaster, decoration, or ornament. Next we have nature inspired metal stamping where you create a dog tag or bracelet. Lastly, you can decorate and create a custom packing checklist for your next backpacking, camping, or hiking adventure. Come do a craft (or 3) with us!

Add to Calendar

LED BY AMBASSADOR RACHEL MICHAUD (WEST)

When we step outside, we open ourselves to new worlds. Documenting those worlds in a nature journal helps us look more closely and gives us the chance to revisit our adventures with the simple turn of a page. In this session, explore nature journaling as a way to enrich your outdoor experiences, whether you're hammocking in the backyard or trekking the Appalachian Trail. You'll come away with a simple yet powerful framework for documenting and reflecting on your time in nature — no artistic skills required!

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Join us for a bonfire followed by stargazing.  We are in an official Dark Skies Park which means the night skies will be clear and full of stars and constellations.  NOTE:  You will need a headlamp with a redlight function to stargaze.  For more info:  https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/parks/

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A slow, mindful walk that integrates short, guided meditation to start your day. 

Valerie Radu is a certified ecotherapist, clinical social worker, and educator based in the beautiful Tennessee Valley.  She also recently completed the forest guide training through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides

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Attendees will join the Ambassadors for their region to debrief from the weekend and learn about upcoming events, share event ideas, and participate in a fun scavenger hunt. 

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