Senior Rangers
Exciting Opportunity for Adults
Thursdays 2-3:30 p.m.
Spring: April 26-May 31
Fall: Oct. 4-Nov. 8
Save your spot now by calling 410-461-5005.
Our Senior Rangers Program is for adults looking to experience life as a park ranger and who enjoy the wonders and benefits of nature.
We are offering six 90-minute sessions this spring and fall, which will include exercise, expert-led talks, fellowship, games and hikes. Topics will cover conservation, history, and native animals and plants.
Why Senior Rangers?
Encourages physical activity and engagement. Accessibility to parks and open spaces encourages seniors to get outdoors. This then motivates them to be active physically, spiritually and socially, which can offset chronic illness, disability and isolation. Spending time outside fights boredom and raises self-esteem. Outdoor spaces encourage multigenerational interactions, which are emotionally nourishing for most seniors.
Increases energy. Nature is fuel for the soul. Often when we feel depleted, we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature.
Fights depression. Seniors are at higher risk of depression, which can lead to a spiral of decline if not addressed. Spending time in a natural setting has long been "prescribed" to boost our mood. We are inspired by the beauty of nature, the clean air, and the sounds and sights. It has been found that going for group walks in a natural setting could be an alternative to medications for older people who are dealing with stressful life circumstances, such as loss of a loved one or serious illness.
Boosts memory. Research has found that interacting with nature improved memory performance and attention by 20 percent. Experts think this is in part because natural environments are far less stressful. Urban environments, they say, feature a relatively complex and often confusing pattern of stimulation, which requires effort to sort out and interpret. Parks and natural environments, however, permit folks to replenish their capacity to attend and thus have a restorative effect on mental abilities.
Improves physical health. Spending time in nature has been shown to boost the immune system. Being outside with lots of trees can help improve our cardiovascular and metabolic health, as well as lowering our blood pressure and stress levels.
For more information, please email Jamie Petrucci or call 410-461-5005.
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