Small Setup, Big Impact — Reflections from the Mercer Health Fair

At the Mercer Boys and Girls Club Health Fair, Wilderness for Wellness showed up with just one tri-fold board, a stack of flyers, and a blank mood board poster — but by the end of the day, our corner of the room had turned into a space full of stories, reflections, and unexpected connections.

The mood board was a simple idea: invite people to write or draw how nature makes them feel. What started as a few hesitant scribbles turned into a collage of color, emotion, and honesty. “Peaceful,” one person wrote. Another said, “It helps me breathe.” By the end of the event, the poster felt alive — a visual reminder that even though we all come from different places, nature can be a common ground for healing.

Our tri-fold shared what Wilderness for Wellness is all about: using the outdoors to support adolescent mental health through mindfulness, hiking, and survival skills. And while the display was simple, the conversations it sparked were anything but. We talked with kids, parents, and educators about anxiety, stress, and the challenge of finding balance — and how a few hours outside can make a big difference.

Handing out flyers, we saw eyes light up — not just because of the design (though we’re proud of that too), but because people resonated with the idea. They wanted to learn more. They wanted to get involved. They saw themselves in what we’re trying to do.

The truth is, you don’t need a big setup to make a big impact. Sometimes, all it takes is an invitation — to reflect, to share, to breathe. And that’s exactly what we hope to keep offering. Thank you to the Mercer Boys and Girls Club for creating the space. We can’t wait for what’s next.