WELLderness

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Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is proud to offer our neighbors and the community at large the experience of outdoor wellness at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens – right in your backyard – with WELLderness: An Outdoor Wellness Series. Try for the first time or continue your practice at yoga, tai chi, forest bathing, painting, and enjoy live music May through October. Additional activities and events include West African and steel band drumming, bird watching, photography and dog pack walks. 

What you will be doing

Join the Anacostia Watershed Society for a boat tour of the Anacostia River to explore the ecological and historical changes that have occurred in the river and in the communities around the river. 

When

Saturday, June 17 , 2023 at 8:00am. Check in opens at 7:45am.

Where

We will gather near the playing fields at Kenilworth Park at 1500 Deane Ave NE.  There is a gravel parking lot available. 

Register Here!

What you will be doing

Participate in a 120-minute Forest Bathing saunter guided by certified Nature and Forest Therapy instructor J. Sage Raindancer. Meander through the Kenilworth Aquatic Garden’s paths and ponds, providing a backdrop to prime your senses and observe nature differently. Explore and interact with the ponds with childlike curiosity and awe while taking the time to experience the therapeutic benefits of nature through forest bathing.

Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and to bring bug spray, sunscreen, a bottle of water, a sit pad or small, lightweight camp stool/chair, and anything else one may carry on a light day hike or nature walk.

When

Saturday, June 17, 9:00 AM -11:00 AM. Check-in opens at 8:45 AM

Where

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave Northeast, Washington, DC 20019. Participants will meet at the picnic area past the visitor center.

Register Here!

What You Will be Doing

Join Lori Clark of The Washington Ballet’s Dance DC program for a 60-minute traditional and modern Indian Dance workshop. No experience necessary to join. Participants under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult!

When

Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 11:30am. Check-in opens at 11:15am.

Where

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave Northeast, Washington, DC 20019. Participants will meet at the picnic area past the visitor center.

Register Here!

What you will be doing

Studies have shown that practicing gratitude and mindfulness can help to reduce anxiety and build happiness. This workshop will combine these practices by inviting participants to create gratitude mandalas. No particular skills are required. Using the Aquatic Gardens for inspiration, Jenny will lead exercises on identifying and expanding feelings of gratitude, the mindfulness of creating mandalas, and how to draw simple or more complex mandalas. Participants will create their own mandalas and will have the opportunity to add to a community mandala, as well. Participants must be at least 14 years old to participate!

When

Saturday, June 17 , 2023 at 1:00pm. Check-in opens at 12:45pm.

Where

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave Northeast, Washington, DC 20019. Participants will meet at the picnic area past the visitor center.

Register Here!

What you will be doing

WABA’s Trail Riding Basics class teaches bicyclists of all ages the skills needed to ride safely, confidently, and considerately on our region’s many trails and multi-use paths. At the end of class, we’ll go for a group trail ride, where participants put their newly acquired skills to the test!

When

Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 10:00am. Check-in opens at 9:45am.

Where

Kenilworth-Parkside Recreation Parking Lot

1300 44th St NE, Washington, DC 20019

Nearby the tennis courts and the track directly across the street from 42nd St NE.

Instructors will be wearing teal polos.

Register Here!

What you will be doing

What makes the Lotus flower special? In this workshop, Simone Agoussoye will lead you as you learn about the cultural significance of the lotus, why there is a Lotus garden in DC and how to paint a lotus. Participants will learn how to paint lotuses and water lilies in a guided painting session. Art supplies provided on site (you can bring your own).

When

Sunday, June 18, 2023 at 10:30am. Check-in opens at 10:15am.

Where

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave Northeast, Washington, DC 20019. Participants will meet at the picnic area past the visitor center.

Register Here!

What you will be doing

Participate in a 120-minute Forest Bathing saunter guided by certified Nature and Forest Therapy instructor J. Sage Raindancer. Meander through the Kenilworth Aquatic Garden’s paths and ponds, providing a backdrop to prime your senses and observe nature differently. Explore and interact with the ponds with childlike curiosity and awe while taking the time to experience the therapeutic benefits of nature through forest bathing.

Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and to bring bug spray, sunscreen, a bottle of water, a sit pad or small, lightweight camp stool/chair, and anything else one may carry on a light day hike or nature walk.

When

Saturday, July 29, 9:00 AM -11:00 AM. Check-in opens at 8:45 AM

Where

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave Northeast, Washington, DC 20019. Participants will meet at the picnic area past the visitor center.

Register Here!

What you will be doing

Follow along with Audrey Roxas as she teaches participants yoga with a focus on strength and stability in a small group setting. Practice yoga while enjoying the sights and sounds of the Gardens during a summer morning at the park.

When

Sunday, August 6, 2023 at 9:00am. Check-in opens at 8:45am.

Where

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave Northeast, Washington, DC 20019. Participants will meet at the picnic area past the visitor center.

Register Here!

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