With nearly 70 sessions to choose from, Brock University employees should have little problem finding workshops to attend at the 20th annual Wellness Day on Thursday, June 20.

The Wellness Day brochure has been released and an online registration date has been set for Wednesday, May 29 at noon. Employees who do not have daily access to a computer can fill out a paper form and return it to Human Resources in Schmon Tower 1220.

Kathryn Walker, Manager, Health Management and Wellness, suggests that employees have their employee numbers ready as well as a list of their top choices, including alternate options.

“Last year, more than 230 people registered within the first minute,” she said. “Within five minutes, four workshops were filled to capacity.”

An escape room tournament is one of nearly 70 workshop options employees can register for at the 20th annual Wellness Day Thursday, June 20. Last year, a group of Brock employees successfully broke out of the Crux jail.

Luckily, there are plenty of desirable workshops to choose from. After analyzing responses from last year’s Wellness Day survey, the Wellness Day committee has compiled a list the kids at Youth University would be jealous of, including several field trips off campus — bus transportation included.

For sport and physical activity lovers, there’s something from A to Z: archery, ball hockey, driving range, fishing tips, fitness kickboxing, ice hockey, kung fu, mini golf, Nordic pole walking, paddle boarding, running, soccer, try-a-triathlon, Tai Chi, volleyball, yoga (with goats and cider), yogalates and Zumba.

Walking tours include Brock’s underground tunnels, campus trees, Morningstar Mill and historic Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Those interested in more crafty or artistic options can arrange flowers, design a rustic serving tray or paint an acrylic landscape on canvas. Foodies may enjoy learning to cook a French country lunch, grocery shopping 101, winefulness, wine tasting, cider tasting, beer tasting or tea tasting.

Health specific topics include brain fog, healthy living from the inside out, reprogramming your genes, meditation and mindfulness, myofascial forces, smoothies to increase energy, the power of breath, walking the Brock labyrinth, as well as women and health care.

A variety of additional workshops are on offer, including topics such as DNA testing, genealogy, forgiveness, financial fitness, cyber security awareness, sports trivia, escape room tournament, euchre tournament, exploring Brock’s Archives and Special Collections, and psychological reasons why the grass seems greener on the other side. Employees can also choose to volunteer their time with a charity or not-for-profit organization of their choice.

“We’ve already received positive feedback on the variety of workshops on offer this year,” said Walker. “We’ve been told that in addition to appreciating the break from a regular work day to attend workshops, employees also value the social and team-building aspect of connecting with people from other departments. Ultimately, we hope it leads to happier employees, better working relationships and improved service to our students, faculty, staff and community.”

After last year’s adjusted format, Wellness Day is returning to its original design with in-person registration, a complimentary lunch and opening and closing plenaries. The majority of workshops will also take place on campus.

This year’s opening plenary will look a little different: Instead of a professional speaker, local musician Gavin Ray will lead participants in a sing-along. The 2019 Health, Safety and Wellness Champion Award recipient will continue to be announced at the opening plenary, but new this year is a chance to win a parking pass upgrade. Anyone who attends the opening plenary will be entered into a draw to win. Those attending the closing plenary, with remarks from President Gervan Fearon, will be entered to win a bicycle, courtesy of Green Shield Canada.  

The annual Penny Sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Thistle Complex hallway across from the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre. Tickets are $15 for a sheet of 25 tickets or $25 for 50 tickets. All proceeds will be donated to a non-endowed student scholarship. Employees interested in donating items to the Penny Sale can drop them off to Human Resources.

Also in Thistle Complex hallway will be a massage therapist offering complimentary 10-minute chair massages on a first-come, first-served basis.

“An entire day dedicated to wellness in a conference format is pretty unique to Brock,” said Walker. “We’re fortunate our senior leadership has continued to support Wellness Day. I’m hoping for record attendance this year to mark our 20th anniversary, so we can look forward to offering Wellness Day for another 20 more years.”

For more information on Wellness Day, email wellnessday@brocku.ca or visit SharePoint.