“Groot Troop” students are studying the great outdoors and earth mindfulness really close up, thanks to a collaboration between Ossining’s Empower, Network, and Uplift (ENU) Builds, Roosevelt Elementary School, and the Center at Mariandale.
The goal of the Groot Troop is to engage Ossining youth in earth mindfulness practices through yoga, forest bathing, and gardening.
In Tuesday after-school sessions in April, they visit Mariandale’s 61 acres in Ossining, enjoying open spaces, gardening, outdoor yoga stretches, and forest bathing. The occasional deer or turkey or eagle passing by are new experiences for them. They’re having fun learning, moving, and getting their hands dirty in the best way possible: from the rich soil of the earth that grows our food.
“Our students will never forget the experience they had at Mariandale this month,” said Katie Castellano Minaya, principal of Roosevelt Elementary School. “Their joy, connection and curiosity flourished just like the seeds they planted. Our motto, Roots Grow Leaders, came to life for our students through this memorable experience. Our students haven’t stopped talking about the forest bathing, yoga and gardening experience, which took them on a journey into nature. Their laughter and smiles are forever implanted in my mind, making me proud to continue this tradition for years to come.”
Tamarah Bridgewater, ENUBuilds co-founder, said after two visits to Mariandale, “Our ENUBuilds, Inc. April programming has been an “O-mazing” experience during the ‘I am Groot Troop’ workshops. The excitement and energy of the Roosevelt Elementary School 5th graders, guided by the skill and connectivity of local workshop facilitators, taking place on the spectacular grounds at the Center at Mariandale is such a great example of community, partnership, and self-care. We are happy to be able to fashion an opportunity that is physically, spiritually, and energetically beneficial to all involved, students and adults alike. We look forward to more!”
“In support of Earth Month, we’re walking the talk,” said Carl Procario-Foley, executive director at Mariandale. “We’re helping students who live and go to school on asphalt to touch the grass and soil. They’re learning how food grows in gardens and the vast benefits of wandering in forests, paying attention to Nature. These students may not have easy access to wide open spaces and meadows and forests, and we can provide that.”
This program will run again at Mariandale on Tuesday afternoons at 3pm on April 22 and 29, 2025 and will culminate in an event at Mariandale on Saturday, May 10, called “Bee Well.”
