Co-organizer: Jerre Henriksen

The outing will give participants time to explore the powerful Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku or Forest Bathing. We will focus on how a simple walk in the woods can uplift, reduce stress, and provide a sensory connection with nature. Participants will have time to combine your walk with thoughtful awareness exercises. Finally, there will be time to share your personal experience with the group. John Muir stated, "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks."

Activity Level - On Your Feet

Meet at Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, Pavilion #1, 5S660 Bliss Road, Sugar Grove.

Co-facilitator: Roger Breisch

Roger Breisch, board member of Water Street Studios, at 160 S. Water Street, Batavia will lead a guided tour of the artists' studios, clay lab, and current gallery exhibitions. Founded in 2019, the facility "Where Creativity lnspires Community," offers art classes, artist studios, a clay lab, gallery exhibitions, and community events.

Activity Level - On Your Feet

Third and fourth generation beekeepers (mother and son) will describe our most valuable pollinator, the honey bee. Patterson Bee Farm is located in unincorporated Elburn. The bee farm is named after father/grandfather, Harry Patterson. He learned about beekeeping from his grandfather in Oklahoma. Currently, Harry's grandsons have continued the business. Zach Butcher, a former naturalist with the Park District and a Geneva Science Teacher along with mother, Ann Butcher, a nature lover and retired teacher will share their family's hobby that helps the environment. Learn about the honey bees, hive management, process of extracting honey, and even a sample of this sweet treat that grandpa used to call, "Liquid Gold".

Co-facilitator: Ann Hastert

Tataki-zome, the art of pounding flowers is an ancient Japanese art form. Flowers and leaves provided by nature are used to make beautiful inspired images on various mediums such as cloth or art papers. Using hammers, the natural dyes from the flowers and leaves transfer to the medium. The process is amazingly simple with lovely results.

Organizer: Carl Hays

Fire Chief Mike Huneke of Elburn and Fire Chief Tony Cavallo of St. Charles will tell participants how ambulances play a critical role in the health system by impacting patient outcome. These services provide rapid response, onsite medical intervention and safe transport to healthcare facilities, often during life threatening situations. There willl be discussions about paramedic challenges of rising demand, aging population, the rise in chronic illnesses and limited resources. Coffee included.

Get there on your own.

Activity Level - Easy Going

Is technology a friend or a foe? Technology is the application of knowledge for practical human purposes. From the sharp stone that first created an arrow, to the genetic modifications that create self-fertilizing crops, technology has enriched and/or destroyed human life. How can we learn to use technology as a tool, not a tyrant? How can we practice high-tech; high-touch? How can we stay human in the world of AI? Is AI so much smarter than humans? Together, we will dissect and discover the heart of technology.

Facilitator: Carl Hays

"Playboy magazine" is a genuine Chicago story. Playboy originated, grew, evolved and devolved in Chicago. Hear from a person who went to the Playboy mansion, had a Playboy bunny decal on his car, and saw the skyscraper Playboy sign often. He also saw in person comedians Lenny Bruce and Sammy Davis Jr., who were fostered by Playboy.

Co-facilitator: Evelyn Porter

This course will be by a Zoom presentation from a member of the speaking team of Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute. The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute™ is committed to sharing the real-life accounts of people who experienced 9/11 first-hand. From 9/11 survivors to first responders, family members of the fallen and witnesses, their stories retell history in relevant, emotive ways that will remain ingrained in the memories of future generations for decades to come. To honor the lives lost on 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute™ provides Americans the opportunity to engage with witnesses to our nation’s history to learn about the day through their personal stories.

Guest Presenter: Bernie Ryan, Tunnel to Towers Institute