Nurture in Nature
“I go to Nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put together.” –John Burroughs
Each semester, Helenes partner with Knights in the opportunity to take Jr. Helenes and Jr. Knights on a hike. On Sunday, November 6, we trekked to Pacific Palisades to spend some time in nature and with each other. Despite the subtle challenge of keeping up a conversation amidst the hike’s surprisingly intense cardio (or was that just me?), I loved seeing the immediate connection and camaraderie formed between the four separate groups represented that day. After we shared a little bit about ourselves with everyone, including our history with hiking (or lack thereof), it became even more apparent how lucky we were to escape the obligations, deadlines, and commitments so ever-present in daily life to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones, all amidst the beautiful scenery of our Southern California home.
For some of us, the Jr. Helenes hike also served as an unintentional, mini Spring ’16 rosebud class reunion. Although our busy schedules prevent us from hanging out together with the consistency we enjoyed during rosebud semester, our little reunion was such a wonderful reminder of the permanence of the deep relationships formed with your rosebud class. Helenes is a family and a support system that is present and available to its members from the moment you receive the email confirming your spot in its vast and loving network, and that relationship never changes. Although the college info and test help and high school advice provided through Jr. Helenes is truly a gift, I think the most satisfying element of the Jr. Helenes program is seeing that same level of commitment and undying friendship replicated in another group of girls looking to better themselves, each other, and the world around them.
