West Virginia University’s Well-Being Adventure Series brings campus recreation and mental health resources together to create meaningful opportunities for students.
At West Virginia University (WVU), there are many ways to prioritize wellness from counseling appointments and workouts to craft workshops and outdoor yoga.
The Well-Being Adventure Series is a partnership between Adventure WV — the outdoor recreation department at WVU — and The Carruth Center — the university’s counseling center. It features activities like kayaking, pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, and more, combining recreation and intentional conversations around wellness.
Also included in the partnership is a semester-long therapy group led by licensed mental health professionals from The Carruth Center.
“The goal driving the program was based on research results,” said Marcedes Minana, the program coordinator for Adventure WV. “The counseling center was receiving increased requests for counseling, and there was a significant increase in crisis services. Additionally, the National Collegiate Health Assessment showed anxiety and depression were the leading mental health-related impediments to academic performance for WVU students.”
The Well-Being Adventure Series began with a $5,000 grant secured through the Higher Education Policy Commission during the 2022-23 academic year.
Following the initial pilot, the program continued to grow with support from a donor-funded budget through the WVU Foundation — a nonprofit connection of the university. The program has also created leadership opportunities for students, with Minana training 23 undergraduate students in the fall of 2026.
From learning about the eight dimensions of wellness to developing new relationships, Minana said there are many benefits to students participating in this programming. “The majority of students who’ve participated reported they’ve made a meaningful connection with others and feel more connected to WVU as a result,” she explained.
This sense of connection is vital to the program. Rather than treating wellness as a single area of student life, the series gives students opportunities to address multiple dimensions of well-being while participating in activities that feel accessible and enjoyable.
For campus rec departments interested in developing similar programming, strong partnerships are key. Minana said collaboration is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle.
“It took two individuals in positions of power who were willing to think outside the box and willing to prioritize putting time and effort beyond their existing duties to invest into laying the foundation for the initial pilot,” said Minana.
The partnership between Adventure WV and The Carruth Center demonstrates how campus rec departments can expand their impact by working with departments and professionals already focused on student well-being.
WVU’s approach reiterates how well-being programming doesn’t have to exist in a silo. By partnering across campus and using recreation as a vehicle for connection, departments can create experiences that support students in ways extending beyond traditional fitness and recreation programming.
Explore some of the ways the Well-Being Adventure Series offers students ways to explore wellness throughout the semester below.
Yoga at the Botanic Gardens: Students can unwind with a guided yoga class at the West Virginia Botanic Garden, followed by time to explore the gardens and enjoy a picnic lunch. The experience provides an opportunity to relax, spend time outdoors and connect with other students.
Pumpkin Carving at Hazel Run: In October, students will visit Hazel Run Flower Farm to pick and carve pumpkins while spending time outdoors. The trip also incorporates guided conversation about ways students can better support their well-being.
Biking on the Rail Trail and Dinner: This beginner-friendly activity includes a leisurely bike ride along the Mon River Rail Trail in Morgantown, West Virginia. With mostly flat terrain, the ride offers students of varying experience levels an opportunity to get active, explore the area and connect with others.
Explore more events and learn more here.
