Spending time in nature is one of the simplest and most effective ways to support whole health. Research shows that even small doses of time outdoors has big benefits—reducing stress, improving mood, sharpening focus, regulating emotions, reducing the risk of mental health disorders, improving sleep, and even faster healing.

Nature offers abundant opportunities for connection through every season. Spring brings blooming flowers and longer days, inviting activities like planting a garden that can inspire fresh energy and creativity. Summer offers rich ways to immerse in the outdoors through hiking, biking, camping, fishing, or boating. Autumn’s crisp air and colorful leaves create moments of reflection, perfect for photography walks or berry picking. And Winter reveals quiet beauty that encourages mindfulness with activities such as snowshoeing, ice skating, or building a snowman.

Nature is especially valuable during periods of stress. Simply stepping outside can create a physical and mental break from daily pressures, offering perspective and grounding. The simple acts of watching a sunset, breathing in fresh air, or feeling leaves crunch beneath your feet can bring the nervous system back into balance.

Time outdoors benefits the body as well as the mind. Physical activity in nature—often called “green exercise”—supports cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, and strengthens the immune system. Exposure to natural light helps regulate circadian rhythms, and fresh air increases energy and vitality. Even patients recovering from illness or surgery show faster healing when they can see greenery from their surroundings.

Even two hours per week in nature can deliver many of these lasting health benefits. Connecting with the rhythms of the natural world year-round will lead to better physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and help us develop a deeper sense of peace and harmony in everyday life.

Ways to engage in “green exercise” in Alaska year-round

• Spring
  • Trail hiking
  • Gardening prep
  • Wildlife watching
• Summer
  • Hiking under the midnight sun
  • Berry picking & salmon fishing
  • Trail walking or running
  • Glacier and ice trekking
• Fall
  • Wildlife viewing cruises
  • Mountain biking
  • Scenic drives
• Winter
  • Skiing or snowshoeing
  • Watching the northern lights
  • Walking in freshly fallen snow

This year marks “Munification”—the 50th Anniversary of the unification of the City of Anchorage and the Greater Anchorage Borough. To commemorate, the Municipality invited Hope and many other local organizations, communities, and cultural groups to share their histories.

We are excited to share this new resource highlighting the history of Hope and the disability community. Please take a moment to read through and reflect on how our history—along with many others—have made a difference in our community and in people’s lives.

View Hope's Cultural Histories webpage

A Summer to Remember

Stories from our Community Engagement Summer Camp

Summer is coming to an end, and we've made some great memories and shared wonderful activities that made this season so special. One of the highlights was our Community Engagement Summer Camp, a seven-week program filled with adventures, new experiences, and friendships. We’re excited to share some of the stories that made this year’s camp so special.

This year's Camp brought together 13 amazing young campers, including three brand-new participants! Together with our Lesko Discovery Center team, they explored Southcentral Alaska, with more than 20 park visits and guided excursions ranging from Anchorage to Willow to Girdwood. The campers especially loved the Reindeer Farm in Palmer, the private tour, planetarium show, and science demonstrations at the Anchorage Museum, and the Botanical Gardens, where they participated in a scavenger hunt and "Nutrition in the Garden" cooking class. Other highlights included the Anchorage Trolley Tour, a Fourth of July barbecue, and a karaoke party to celebrate the last day of Camp. In between excursions, campers also participated in recycled art projects, themed activities, group games, and visits from community partners like the Anchorage Fire Department, Alaska Native Heritage Center, and more. These partnerships gave campers hands-on learning, exposure to Alaska’s history and culture, and unforgettable experiences they would not have had otherwise.

Camp Stories

Each camper experienced moments of growth and joy. One camper, Lindsey, who usually prefers quiet activities like coloring, listening to music, and reading, impressed everyone with her kayaking skills—confidently crossing the lake and showing off her strength and independence. Her mother said, "Lindsey loved [Camp] and it got her out and about and doing many fun things she may have not ever done. Our family is thankful for this camp that Lindsey has got to participate in. We appreciate the opportunity."

In the play area at the Aviation Museum, the campers took turns playing pilot, navigator, and passenger—they loved making their own announcements, offering food and beverage service, and choosing the next destination for "Hope Airlines." One camper conquered her fear of the dark at the planetarium show and the movies and tried every activity that was offered to her. At the Pioneer Peak “you-pick” farm, the group encountered an unexpected rainstorm and used giant rhubarb leaves as makeshift umbrellas. At the karaoke dance party on the last day of Camp, the campers sang, wore costumes, and waved twirling ribbons, making it the best way to end such a fun summer together.

Parents consistently shared their gratitude and expressed appreciation for the team’s care and commitment, and many shared excitement about returning next year and even transitioning into adult programming at the Lesko Discovery Center. One grandparent said their non-verbal camper came home in a good mood every day, and another parent described the program as “the best we’ve seen.”

Looking Ahead

We are already planning for Summer Camp 2026, with goals of building partnerships with schools to welcome interns, expanding music and theater programming, adding camping and outdoor skill days, and inviting family members to volunteer so they can experience Camp alongside their loved ones. We hope to continue offering an wide variety of meaningful experiences for campers.

How You Can Help

Our Summer Camp thrives with the support of our community. You can make a difference by donating to help keep Camp affordable, volunteering your time or talents, suggesting activities and excursions, or connecting us with musicians, artists, or other community partners. We are especially interested in adding music and theater components next year. If you have an alma mater with a disability program or know someone who might like to collaborate, please reach out—we’d love to connect.

Contact our Community Engagement team

Check Out Some of Our Favorite Photos

Shift work is common in healthcare, hospitality, public safety, and other essential job fields. Working evenings, nights, or rotating shifts allows people to serve during critical times and enjoy daytime flexibility, but because these work patterns disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm—which guides sleep, metabolism, and hormone release—they call for more thoughtful self-care. With the right strategies and intentional habits, shift workers can effectively maintain their physical and mental well-being.

Prioritize quality sleep. Sleep powers every system in the body, from immune function to digestion to memory. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and aiming for 7–9 consistent hours of sleep will help your circadian rhythm adapt to non-traditional work schedules. Create a cool, dark, and quiet environment using blackout curtains, an eye mask, earplugs, and white noise. Try taking a short nap before work, and go to bed as soon as possible after your shift to capture your prime sleep window.

Plan your meals. Shift work can disrupt hunger signals, leading to skipped meals or erratic snacking. Come to work prepared with balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, and keep healthy snacks on hand. Avoid heavy meals before bed, limit sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Stay active. Exercise is an essential part of anyone’s wellness routine, but even more so for shift workers. Regular movement helps improves metabolism, mood, energy, and sleep quality. Try to work out before your shift, take brief stretching and walking breaks during work, and avoid intense workouts right before bed..

Support your mental health and work-life balance. Shift work can sometimes feel isolating, so connect with loved ones and engage in hobbies and community activities on your days off. Pursue interests that help you unwind and manage stress, such as meditation, yoga, and reading. If you experience persistent mental health or sleep issues, consult with a healthcare professional.

Shift work doesn’t have to compromise health. With consistent routines, planning, and self-care, shift workers can stay energized, healthy, and resilient—on the clock, and off.

Quick Self-Care Breaks on the Job:

• Box breathing: Inhale, hold, exhale, hold for 4 counts each to calm your nervous system.
• Neck and Shoulder Release: Roll your shoulders and tilt your head to relieve muscle tension.
• Mindful Pause: Take 3 deep breaths, focusing on clearing your mind.
• Mini Visualization: Picture a calm scene for relaxation.
• Hand Massage: Massage your palms and fingers to improve circulation.
• Short Breaks: Get up and stretch or go for a short walk about every hour.