Wednesday Sept. 11, URI Campus Recreation hosted our third annual Flourish Fest. This event aims to encourage students to immerse themselves in opportunities that will support their  physical, financial, emotional, social, intellectual, and environmental wellness. With these wellness areas ingrained in our programming, Campus Rec upholds our goal for students to “be active, be well, belong.” Flourish Fest hosted an array of organizations, departments, and vendors in efforts to advocate for the involvement and wellness of students. This allowed students to have a hands-on way to get to know our campus and the multitude of opportunities it provides for our students. 

Flourishing in Wellness

Beginning the day at 10am, student-led organizations, small business owners, student services, Army ROTC members, food trucks, and more began to fill the quad. Each group had their own table filled with giveaways or interactive pieces, along with information about their organization. The quad is a social hub on campus, which drew 1,200+ students and staff members to visit the event and explore the many outlets provided by our campus. 

Physical wellness is a crucial aspect of life. Programs including Health Services, the Physical Therapy Department, Kinesiology Club, Club Sports, Public Health Club, and others were advocating for their organization at Flourish Fest. It is uplifting to have such a vast array of resources on campus, all in efforts to benefit the physical wellness of the URI community. Army ROTC and the National Guard brought a rock climbing wall where students got to race their friends to the top, all while learning about  the army’s lifestyle. Rhody the Ram made a memorable appearance on the quad too. Rhody entertained us with a choreographed dance of Chappell Roan’s ‘HOT TO GO!’ led by Campus Rec’s Group Exercise instructor. We saw more of these interactive booths with our Intramural Sports, who provided the event with lawn games such as spike ball and cornhole. Like Flourish Fest, Intramural Sports allows students to get involved while being active, getting to know their peers, and discovering what our campus has to offer.  

Financial wellness is significant to our well being, especially as college students. It can prove difficult to manage finances and budgets with tuition, groceries, gas money, etc. Organizations such as Student Support Advocacy Services, and Center for Career and Experiential Education were present at Flourish Fest, advocating for financial well-being, along with support in student growth and development. These resources are here for you and your needs, take advantage of them!

Emotional well-being was also well represented on our campus’ quad. Groups including  Student Support and Advocacy Services, Leadership Consultants, the Counseling Center, Disability, Access, and Inclusion, and URI’s Eating Concerns Advisory are all organizations that uphold the mission of emotional wellness. These organizations provided students with words of encouragement, tactics to destress, and stickers to uplift students and promote awareness of their organizations.

Building Bridges

Social wellness encourages students to find a sense of camaraderie and belonging by engaging in their community. URI has an abundance of opportunities accessible to all students that promote community building and social well-being. Organizations such as RhodyTHON, P.I.N.K Women, Gender and Sexuality Center, Office of Student Involvement, and the Multicultural Student Services Center were all in attendance. These organizations played a crucial role at Flourish Fest- being able to speak to a club member about their experience within their group helps students gauge what organization is right for them. As students, it is key to become involved on campus, and build our own communities for the sake of our social wellness.  

Intellectual wellness was well advocated for on the quad through services such as The Student Organization Leadership Consultants, Gender and Sexuality Center, Multicultural Student Services Center, and the URI Office of International Education. Further, Study Abroad partnered with Flourish Fest, encouraging students to travel the world while learning through our numerous international study programs. Our mission of well being is not confined to our campus, but is upheld all over the globe.  

Environmental wellness is a valuable outlet to enhance our well-being, highlighting the importance of respecting and immersing ourselves within our environment. The Outing Club encourages students to build a network of people who share similar interests and passions while partaking in outdoor activities. URI’s Master Gardeners also shared tips and tricks with students on how to grow your own produce and the importance of companion planting. Did you know that URI has a FREE Farmer’s Market? Held every Thursday in the fall semester, students can stop by and fill a bag of fresh local produce. Make sure you get there early, the veggies go quickly!

Flourish Fest proved to be an incredibly successful event that allowed student organizations to advocate for the well-being of our students and community.  Social apps such as Handshake and Rhody Connect are extremely helpful resources in finding opportunities for involvement. In person events such as Flourish Fest, prove all the more impactful; as they allow in person interactions and hands on experiences to find your niche. As the semester progresses, be sure to take care of your well-being with all the events and opportunities that URI Campus Recreation has to offer!