Puerto Rico retreat
UD employees take break from winter over winter break
9:14 a.m., Feb. 27, 2015--While frigid late January temperatures hit Newark, 44 University of Delaware employees and members of the community escaped to warmer weather for UD’s first Winter Wellness Retreat in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
A cooperative effort between the Institute for Global Studies and the University’s HealthyU Employee Wellness Program, the retreat provided participants aged 22 to 84 the opportunity to escape the chilly campus for a week of fitness and heliotherapy.
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Aimed at offering a program for UD employees that contributed to overall personal wellness, the trip featured five days and four nights -- from Jan. 31 to Feb. 4 -- of sunrise yoga and meditation, tai chi, and fitness center challenges, among other activities.
“Going on a short retreat made it easier to explore new wellness options,” said Linda Smith, manager of employee wellness, adding that “we heard from several employees who plan to incorporate them into their schedule upon their return.”
When participants weren’t exercising, they had the opportunity to explore everything San Juan had to offer. “There was ample time to enjoy relaxing on the beach, to try some excursions like visiting beautiful old San Juan, the rain forest, and snorkeling. We were even fortunate enough to almost dock at Palominos Island (of Pirates of the Caribbean fame),” noted Meena Ilyas, a UD financial analyst.
Beyond fitness opportunities, the Winter Wellness Retreat also fostered a sense of community among its participants. “This trip was a great opportunity for employees across campus to come together in the common interest of well-being and meet people they may otherwise have never met,” wrote Ryan Keenan, fitness training and development specialist.
Based upon this year’s success, next year’s retreat is slated for Feb. 3-7, 2016, and will expand to accommodate up to 70 UD employees and their guests.
The program will offer five days and four nights of free activities that contribute to overall personal wellness. Program fees will include round-trip airfare, transfers to the hotel, a welcome reception, full breakfast each morning, and all hotel fees including taxes.
To see more photos of the 2015 Puerto Rico Wellness Retreat, visit the Shutterfly page.
About the Institute for Global Studies
The Institute for Global Studies was created in 2009 to enhance the international dimensions of teaching, research and outreach at the University of Delaware.
In 2014, IGS launched the inaugural spring break UD Alumni Family and Friends Travel Program. The program received an overwhelming number of applications, therefore two trips were arranged for over 80 participants. The 2015 spring break options include “Italy Past and Present,” “A Taste of Tuscany,” and “French Markets and Museums.” More information can be found at this website.
About Employee Wellness
HealthyU is the worksite wellness program of the Office of Human Resources at the University of Delaware. Programs and services such as wellness challenges, employee fitness services and health screenings are offered to support the wellbeing of UD faculty and staff. More information about HealthyU can be found online.
Article by Nikki Laws