Wellness and Mental Health

Youth & Family Services focus on wellness and mental health is all about "being okay." We look to teach healthy habits, learn about different ways to have a healthy mind and body, and learning that it's okay to not be okay. Our programming and events try to get people moving and thinking.

Little Hikers

Out Little Hikers group is a way for younger kids and their parents, grandparents, and caregivers, to meet some new people, spend time out in nature, and go for a quick walk.

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Our initial Little Hikers group is focused on the 0-5 age range, but anyone is welcome. These little guys and gals will walk and stroller through easy, relatively flat, well maintained trails and paths with their parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Little Hikers may include an activity, story, or snack as well. Our hikes usually take place on the first Friday of the month (unless its a holiday weekend) and average a third or half a mile in length.

Upcoming Hikes

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October 7 - 10:30am @ Airline Trail, Depot Hill Rd lot

November 4 - 10:30am @ Portland Rec Complex

December 2 - 10:30am @ Portland Riverfront Park

We plan to expand Little Hikers to include older youth, where we will have guided hikes through areas such as the reservoir, Great Hill Mountain, and other locations. If you are interested in leading a hike or proposing other ideas, please contact us at jrevicki@portlandct.or or (860) 342-6758.

2022 Hikes

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September 9 - 10:30am @ Portland Riverfront Park

August 12 - 10:30am @ Portland Reservoir led by Annette LeShane for her Capstone

August 5 - 10:30am @ Rec Complex w/ Senior Walking Club

July 8 - 10:30am @ Riverfront Park

June 10 @ Airline Trail, Depot Hill Rd lot

May 6 - 10:30am @ Portland Rec Complex

Every Kid Healthy Week 2022

Every Kid Healthy Week was created in 2013 to celebrate school health and wellness achievements. It is the last full week in April each year, and each day of the week shines a spotlight on things schools and families do to improve health and wellness in youth.

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The 2022 schedule included:

• Mindful Monday, focused on social emotional health;

• Tasty Tuesday, focused on nutrition and food access;

• Wellness Wednesday, focused on physical activity and play;

• Thoughtful Thursday, focused on equity awareness; and

• Family Friday, focused on family-school partnership.

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Youth & Family Services started our spin on Every Kid Healthy Week in 2022. We had similar activities, but focused on healthy activities that youths and their parents and caregivers can do together. 2022's activities were:

• Tuesday - Yoga

• Wednesday - Gratitude Journal

• Thursday - Healthy Cooking

• Friday - Walking

• Saturday - Gardening

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We gave out some Youth & Family Services swag for those that participated and had a great time learning and sharing information with the community. We look forward to doing it again next year!