SCRD’s Outdoor Connections program joins the Campus Nature Rx Network

Each year college students continue to face increasing levels of stress and anxiety influenced by the many chronic stressors prevalent in our world. Academic pressures, financial challenges and the constant push to succeed can leave students burned out and isolated. At the same time students are increasingly disconnected through online coursework and the perceived closeness of social media relationships.

The outdoors as a place to relax is something innately human and has only recently found a resurgence in recognition. The Campus Nature Rx (CNRx) Network is a national coalition that integrates nature into the core of student wellness. What began in 2019 with four pioneering universities has now grown to more than 90 institutions committed to weaving the benefits of nature into campus life. 

The initial concept was trying to figure out how to better manage university counseling centers that were overburdened with student needs by identifying non-clinical nature-based opportunities to help students build a toolbox to navigate the many stressors of college life. Joining the Campus Nature Rx Network connects ASU with universities across the country that are tackling the same student wellness challenges. It allows us to share what’s working, learn from others and ensure our students are part of a movement that’s transforming higher education. 

SCRD’s new Outdoor Connections program is focused on making outdoor experiences more accessible for ASU students and offers a wide variety of programs and coursework that make this a perfect fit for CNRx.  

To further integrate nature into campus life, SCRD’s Outdoor Connections program has developed new 1-credit outdoor adventure labs that allow students an immersive outdoor experience over the course of one weekend. In a recent outdoor adventure lab held at the Grand Canyon National Park, students identified the opportunity to have a “digital detox” and be able to build meaningful relationships with their peers in a natural setting as a great way to alleviate the many stresses they are currently navigating. Additional outdoor adventure labs are scheduled through course PRM 294. 

Other ways that SCRD’s Outdoor Connections program incorporates nature into campus life is through a partnership with the University College to support the Student Success Center’s Adventure Coaching program, and working with ASU Zero Waste and community partners to host a Salt River kayak and clean up trip. Students benefited from the well-being outcomes related to nature engagement and recognized their ability to make meaningful impacts in their community.

The goal of the Outdoor Connections program is not only to focus on a nature-based workforce development that supports the growth of Arizona’s $11.7 outdoor recreation economy, but to make nature engagement a fundamental, accessible part of every student’s ASU experience. By doing so, we help build nature-connected toolkits that help students manage stress and build leadership and resilience they can carry into their future.