July 17 - 21
EXPLORE WEEK
Exploring doesn’t have to mean getting on a plane and heading on a big adventure. You can explore simply by trying a new food, checking out a new park or neighborhood, reading a book, or even just noticing new things in familiar places.
During “Explore” week, try something new, on your own or with others. Let unique experiences invigorate your day and spark creativity.
Win Prizes!
Check out the adventurous activities that follow below - pick one or more to try, then take a photo or tell us about your experience!
You can post to the Summer Wellbeing Adventure Viva Engage channel shown to the right (formerly Yammer), or email us to be eligible to win great prizes, including brunch and a stay at the Statler Hotel, $75 of points in the Cornell Appreciation Portal, and more!
Explore Week Special Deals!
- Museum of the Earth – Use the code CUWELLBEING23 for Buy-One-Get-One Admission to the museum. The code can be used online or in person.
- Cornell Outdoor Education – Exclusive Tour! Wednesday, July 19, 3:00 - 4:00 pm, B01 Bartels Hall (basement). Sign up for a guided introduction to COE's Outfitting Center and all the cool gear you can rent! Do you want to camp, hike, rock climb, paddle, or plan for a future winter ski or snowshoe experience? Want to try out a new activity before making a substantial financial purchase for gear of your own? This exclusive tour is the perfect way to get to know the where, what, and how of renting gear from COE’s Outfitting Center from two people who are very passionate about outdoor adventuring! Questions? Email Mark Holton or Kerry Howell. Attendees will receive a coupon for one free rental item (select items redeemable through August 4, 2023). Space is limited, register now!
Start Small
Exploring new things can sometimes be a bit intimidating or overwhelming. Take your time and start small. Go to familiar places and try to view them in new ways:
- Slow your pace as you explore
- Look in all directions for new perspectives
- Try to use as many of your senses as possible to create a change in your experience
- Choose an object, such as a flower or leaf, and look at it very closely
- Take someone else with you on these mini adventures
What details did you notice that you hadn’t seen before?
How does exploring alone or with someone else change your experience?
For a completely different perspective - consider attending the upcoming Fuertes Observatory Open House Night on Friday, July 21st at 8:00pm.
Explore Outdoors
NatureRx Cornell reports that, “Multiple studies have concluded that spending even a few hours each week in nature can improve mood, cognitive ability, alertness, ability to concentrate, social connection and overall sense of well-being.”
- NatureRx Cornell highlights many outdoor Ithaca campus areas ideal for exploration and wellbeing.
- Use the AllTrails website or app to find trails near you – there are lots of filters, so you can find a great trail for you.
- Try Geocaching - Geocaching is the world’s largest treasure hunting game. Over 3 million cleverly hidden containers called geocaches are hidden all over the world just waiting to be found.
- Visit the Cayuga Nature Center - The 100 acres of woodland and old field overlooking Cayuga Lake are home to a six-story treehouse, live native animals, a gorge and waterfall, and more than 5 miles of trails. Admission is pay-what-you-wish.
Cornell Botanic Gardens Resources
- Check out the on- and off-campus natural areas featured by the Cornell Botanic Gardens
- Take a self-guided tour of the Cornell Botanic Gardens or Arboretum at your own pace, using your cell phone to hear recorded narration, or with the PocketSights app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Get a few people together and schedule a group tour.
Canoe with Cornell Outdoor Education
Canoe package rental for just $10!! (normally $30) Meet at B01 Bartels Hall every Tuesday (weather permitting) at 5:30 pm if you need to rent equipment. Or join in at East Shore Park on Cayuga Lake at 6:30 pm with your own equipment to learn some canoeing skills and then do a little touring! Questions: 607-254-8264.
Explore Learning
- Cornell University Library For your entertainment and your enlightenment, Cornell University Library offers free resources on and off campus: Stream movies; enjoy audio and ebooks or borrow physical copies from our collections; check out our exhibits and workshops; or get some pointers on how to research on your family tree and other topics of interest!
- Explore Cornell’s Rare and Manuscript Collections - browse the Collection Highlights and prepare to be amazed by the scope of culture and history housed here, including rare documents, maps, blueprints and posters, cookbooks, photos and films, and one of five copies of the Gettysburg Address handwritten by Abraham Lincoln!
- Cornell faculty and staff have free, unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning's online library of high-quality training videos featuring the latest software, creative, and business skills.
- Search YouTube for free tutorials to begin exploring new hobbies, skills, and crafts.
- Read a book about a person, place, or time you want to know more about.
Explore Arts & Culture
Music And Dance
- Summer Concert Series in Ithaca will have music by Mosaic Foundation Thursday, June 22 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at the Bernie Milton Pavilion.
- Music in the Park at Myers Park in Lansing will be having music by City Limits on Thursday, July 20th starting at 6:30pm
- Come out for a free Latin dance party on the Arts Quad with Jorge T. Cuevas and the Caribe Jazz Allstars on Friday, July 21st at 7:00pm.
- Search YouTube for dance tutorials and/or karaoke tracks to bring the party to you! Invite some folks to join you and let the fun begin!
Museum Adventures
- Cornell Johnson Museum of Art – welcomes visitors free of charge to experience original works of art across a wide spectrum of global traditions, time periods, and media for education, inspiration, and delight.
- Museums throughout New York State - Just to name a few: the Corning Museum of Glass, the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, and of course NYC's many renowned institutions
- Virtually explore the best Museums, Art Galleries, and Historic Sites across America
- These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours – “You get to "go to the museum" and never have to leave your couch.”
- Try an art exploration. Take a team walk, roll, or bus ride through one of the Cornell campuses and look for works of art such as sculptures, carvings, murals, bridges, and more. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to what you consider to be art. It could be human made or nature made; it all counts.
Explore New Foods
- Choose a restaurant with a food you have never tried and make a point to go this summer.
- Pick out a new ingredient to experiment with at home.
- Is there a country you have always wanted to travel to? Choose a recipe from that place and try it at home! Find some music, a movie, or a travel video on YouTube to enjoy with your meal for a more immersive experience.
- Ask a friend, family member, or colleague for a new recipe that they really enjoy to make. Bonus points for sharing the finished product! Or try one of these tasty recipes below:
Reflect
Question of the week: What is different about your feelings before and after exploring something new?
Share your answer, photos, videos, and/or stories from Chill Week on the Summer Wellbeing Adventure Viva Engage channel, or email us to be eligible for this week's prize drawings!
Prizes include $75 dollars’ worth of points in the Cornell Appreciation Portal, a two-night stay and bus tickets for two to Cornell Club in NYC, a one-night night stay with breakfast for two at the Statler/Taverna Banfi, and more! For the full list of prizes, visit the Summer Wellbeing Adventure landing page. Winners will be selected randomly and announced on our website every week.
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Meet Wilbur
Wilbur LOVES having his photo taken!
Some folks would rather take pictures than be in them - but not Wilbur! Wilbur Wellbear is the less famous, less competitive cousin of Cornell's renowned Touchdown Bear. He'd love to be your own personal mascot to enjoying the Summer Wellbeing Adventure!
Cut him out and show us what you're doing to support wellbeing this summer! Post to the Summer Wellbeing Adventure Viva Engage channel or email us - and get a bonus entry in our weekly prize drawings!)