The Recreational Wellness club (Rec Well) hosted a book swapping event with its book club, called Healthy Ospreys book club, and posted its April newsletter.

The book club selects a book to read that fits with the health-related theme of that month. The club then meets once a month to answer discussion questions and share thoughts about the book. The rec well club also informs students about upcoming events through its April newsletter. These events include tabling events as well as educational events about nature and health. 

Healthy Ospreys Book Club

The Healthy Ospreys book club, part of the Recreational Wellness Club (Rec Well), hosted a book swapping event in March, followed by a discussion on gift-giving.

The book club read “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The club has a health-related theme for each month of the semester and assigns a book that aligns with that theme. March’s theme was environmental health, according to Ashley Muench-Epstein, the club organizer. 

“The Serviceberry” is a nonfiction book that explores gift-giving economies – economies that rely on sharing and giving instead of buying and selling, according to Muench-Epstein.

At this event, people brought a book that they didn’t need and took one that was brought by someone else.

During the discussions, club members shared their experiences with gift-giving, their takeaways from the book, and how they would participate in gift-giving in the future. 

The club’s next book is “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline for April’s theme: digital wellness. During this month, the book club will discuss video games and virtual reality, according to Muench-Epstein. 

“‘Ready Player One’” is a dystopian sci-fi novel that was also a very popular movie that Steven Spielberg directed,” said Muench-Epstein, “So, we’re talking about digital wellness. So, how you can use the internet, virtual reality, your cell phone to connect with people all over the world.”

Muench-Epstein said that the book “addresses video games and virtual reality.” In April, the club will discuss how to find the balance between spending time on electronics and living in the real world, according to Muench-Epstein.

The club meets once a month on a Tuesday on the second floor of the library between 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. 

Muench-Epstein said that club members do not have to read the book to participate in discussions. She said she tries to make the discussion questions and topics as open as possible so those who haven’t read the book can participate. If someone does not want to read the book, she said that she also encourages watching the movie. 

The club has partnered with the UNF library to allow students to borrow the club’s books for one week, according to Muench-Epstein.  

Rec Well April events

The Rec Well club also released its April newsletter. The newsletter details the club’s upcoming events. Some of these events include the Love Your Mother Earth Day Festival, Rest and Recharge at the Mind Body Studio, and the Teal Out events.

Teal Out is a national sexual assault prevention campaign. People wearing teal show support for this mission. 

 Since April is sexual assault awareness month, the club will have multiple Teal Out events throughout the month. The events will educate students on sexual assault prevention, according to Muench-Epstein.

At the Love Your Mother Festival on April 10, students will learn about how the environment helps humans, according to Muench-Epstein. 

“My team [will talk] about the sunlight’s impact on your mental health, but also sun safety, sunscreen and things like that,” said Muench-Epstein. 

The Rest and Recharge event on April 23 will be a place where students can relax and have fun at the end of the semester. The event will consist of two parts. In the first half, the club will host coloring sessions, calm music, and painting. In the second half, the club will host karaoke and games, according to Muench-Epstein.

“If you want to come and just have a super calm space, you can come for the first hour, or if you want to come and shake off the stress of finals, come do some karaoke or play some games with us, or stay for both.”

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