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Campus Well-Being

News and Events

In-Service Day Camp: January 31, 2025

December 18, 2024

Join us for a full day of fun at our In-Service Day Camp on January 31, 2025!

Camp Details

Date: Friday, January 31, 2025

Time: Camp programming runs from 9:00am – 3:30pm. Flexible drop-off and pick-up times are available before and after camp.

  • Drop-Off: Anytime between 8:00 – 9:00am
  • Pick-Up: Anytime between 3:30 – 4:30pm

Location: RRC Polytech – South Gym, 2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB

Age Range: 6 – 11 years old

Cost: $40 + GST

Registration: Click here to register

  • RRC Polytech students & staff can click ‘Use RRC Polytech Credentials’ to sign in.
  • Community members can sign up using their preferred email.
  • Once signed in, add the family members you’d like to register for camp.

Camp Overview

Get ready for a day filled with team-building challenges, creative arts, and recreational activities at RRC Polytech!

The morning will feature an exciting gym-floor curling experience hosted by Rocks & Rings, followed by engaging creative projects and activities throughout the day.

Our camp is led by qualified and experienced staff who are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for everyone.


Additional Information

Lunch – Lunch will not be provided. Please prepare your children with a packed lunch & water bottle. Campers will have time for lunch & snack breaks throughout the day.

Clothing – Please bring indoor shoes that will be comfortable for light physical activity and walking throughout the day.

Cancellation & Refund Policy – Cancellations & refunds will be available until 7 days prior to camp.


Please send us an email with any questions.

Navigating the Holidays with Difficult Family Members

December 13, 2024

Man felling depressed and lonely during the Christmas time.
Image by Fort George G. Meade

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, relaxation, and family togetherness. However, for some people, it can also be a period filled with stress, and anxiety, especially when dealing with difficult family dynamics. Whether it’s differing opinions, unresolved conflicts, or simply the strain of being in the same vicinity, managing these situations can be challenging. Something we can try to focus on are the things we can control over the holidays, which includes what we can do to take care of ourselves. Below are some tips to consider before the holiday break.  

By focusing on self-care, setting boundaries, being assertive, and seeking support, post-secondary students can navigate the complexities of family dynamics during the holidays with greater ease. Remember, it’s okay to prioritize you and your well-being and create a holiday experience that works best for you.

If you are in need of support over the holidays, explore our Supports and Resources page, Crisis Resource page, and Community Resource Collection.

Explore our November Stretch of the Month: The Doorway Chest Stretch

November 26, 2024

Perfect for alleviating tightness across your chest and shoulders, the Doorway Chest Stretch is ideal for both students and staff. It’s particularly beneficial for those who spend prolonged hours in front of a computer or at a desk as it counteracts the rounded shoulder posture and promotes a more open, upright stance.

How to do it

  1. Stand in a doorway and place your forearms against each side of the frame at a 90-degree angle. Your elbows should be at shoulder height, forming an “L” shape.
  2. Step one foot forward for stability, and gently lean your torso through the doorway until you feel a comfortable stretch across your chest and the front of your shoulders.
  3. Keep your back straight, and avoid arching it. Hold the stretch here, breathing deeply, and feel the gentle pull in your chest and shoulders.
  4. For a deeper stretch, you can adjust the position of your arms slightly higher or lower on the doorway, targeting different areas of your chest muscles.
  5. If you do not have an appropriate door available, you can also try this stretch against a wall, modifying to do one side at a time and turning your body away from the wall.

Single wall modification

Hold this position for 20-30 seconds, then release. Repeat 2-3 times as needed, switching sides if applicable. Try this stretch throughout the day or as a quick break after class or in-between work/study sessions.

Benefits of this stretch

Relieves Chest Tightness: Prolonged sitting and hunching can lead to tight chest muscles. This stretch effectively opens up the chest, helping to relieve tension that builds from poor posture.

Improves Shoulder Flexibility: By gently extending the shoulder muscles, the stretch enhances shoulder flexibility, aiding in greater range of motion and reducing stiffness.

Promotes Better Posture: This stretch encourages an open chest position, counteracting rounded shoulders and supporting better alignment in the upper body.

Reduces Neck and Back Strain: Tight chest muscles can contribute to discomfort in the neck and upper back. The doorway chest stretch helps to alleviate these strains, promoting relaxation throughout the upper body.

Try it Today!

Remember to perform this stretch with gentle movements—stretching should feel soothing, not painful. Incorporate this simple stretch into your routine to ease upper body tension and enjoy the benefits of a more open, relaxed posture.

SOURCES:

10 Best Chest Stretches for Before & After Workouts – SET FOR SET

Doorway Pectoral Stretch (Flexibility) | Saint Luke’s Health System

The Best Stretches for the Pectoral Muscles | livestrong

December Mindwell Programs

November 26, 2024

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on achievements and embrace the power of compassion and gratitude. These qualities not only help us appreciate our progress, they also inspire us to set new goals and continue growing.

This December, Mindwell aims to increase compassion, gratitude, and resilience to help us wrap up 2024 feeling motivated, recharged, and ready to conquer 2025!

If you have not registered for a free Mindwell account, you’re not too late. Register here!

Campus Well-Being December Programs

November 26, 2024

Grey stones stacked in the foreground with soothing blues and greens in the background. White text reads Campus Well-Being Events

Sport

Participate in a variety of recreational sport activities on campus in a safe and supportive environment. 

No registration is required for intramural sports. All skill levels are welcome. Come as a team or as an individual.

Fitness and Movement

Wellness

Mental Well-Being

Recreation

National Addictions Awareness Week 2024

November 20, 2024

National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW), observed from November 24 to 30, 2024, provides an important opportunity to educate ourselves about substance use and its impact, reduce stigma, and promote a supportive environment on campus and beyond.  

Naloxone Training Highlight

A Narcan nasal spray demonstration device is shown on a table with its packaging in the background.
Image by Governer Tom Wolf

If you are interested in learning about overdose prevention, register for Naloxone training taking place at the Exchange District Campus. There is no cost for this training.

Date: November 25, 2024

Time: 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Location: EDC Room P107

Resources You Can Refer To

  1. Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health
  2. Get Help with Substance Use

Are You Feeling SAD?: Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder

November 12, 2024

Man sitting outside in the cold winter looking down.

As winter gets closer and daylight hours decrease, many people feel the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This mental health condition is a type of Depression that often occurs during the fall and winter months. Symptoms people experience include low energy, increased sleep, changes in appetite, and feelings of hopelessness. In order to cope with SAD, it’s important to learn the science behind it and understand how it affects mind and body.  

You Can Do It!

Coping with SAD is challenging, but by implementing these strategies, you can help manage the symptoms and improve your overall well-being during the winter months. Remember, you are not alone and there are resources and people ready to support you! Stay connected, stay active, and take care of yourself.  

If you are interested in learning more about how to cope with SAD, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) will be joining us on November 28th from 12:00 to 1:00pm for a Lunch & Learn session. You can register here!

Cultivating Kindness 2024

November 5, 2024

A person's hand holding a sign "Kindness, Pass it On" at a beach.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Join Campus Well-Being in spreading and encouraging kindness to others, to the earth, to animals and to yourself by participating in our kindness sessions.

In November, we arranged a few special activities and guest speakers to celebrate kindness in four areas:

Meet the Campus Well-Being Team

November 5, 2024


Allow us to introduce ourselves!

The Campus Well-Being team provides programs, services and resources to support the holistic health of students and employees. Through sport, fitness, recreation and mental wellness initiatives, CWB creates a greater sense of well-being, belonging and connectedness in our campus community. We also offer engaging and enriching youth programs, including summer camps and in-service day camps.

Get to know us by reading our bios and please reach out if we can assist you during your time at RRC Polytech.

While this is our full-time team, we also have several student staff who work with us casually and many student volunteers who are also valuable team members.

Headshot of Abi Varghese

Abi Varghese – Customer Service Representative


As the Customer Service Representative with Campus Well-Being, Abi promotes health and well-being among students and staff. Abi has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a postgraduate diploma in international business. Passionate about sport and always aiming to help individuals achieve their goals, Abi is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Sport and Recreation Management.

Breanna Sawatzky – Manager, Campus Well-Being

Breanna has the pleasure of leading this team in its mission to enhance well-being, belonging and connectedness in our campus community. With a background in counselling, research, and psychosocial rehabilitation and a Master of Public Health degree, Breanna is driven to create working and learning environments where everyone can thrive. She enjoys developing new programs based on synergies between the science of well-being and the unique needs of our students and employees.

Headshot of Breanna Sawatzky
Headshot of Davis Chase

Davis Chase – Youth Initiatives Supervisor

Davis works within the Campus Well-Being team as the Youth Initiatives Supervisor. Graduating from the University of Winnipeg with a degree in Kinesiology, Davis uses his education and experience to design and implement engaging youth programs that promote education, well-being, and lifelong skill development. Known for his positive attitude and strong teambuilding skills, Davis leads and mentors student workers to support the delivery of impactful youth programs.

Fizza Rashid – Campus Mental Health Specialist

If you’re looking for mental health and well-being support and resources, Fizza is your go to person! She is passionate about mental health education and awareness and nurturing inclusive spaces for healing and empowerment. Fizza has a BSc in Psychology and has worked in the mental health field for over 10 years. In her spare time, Fizza enjoys singing, crocheting and going on walks outside!

Headshot of Fizza Rashid
Headshot of Kayla McMurchy

Kayla McMurchy – Sport and Fitness Supervisor

Kayla McMurchy joined the Campus Well-Being team in June 2024, bringing a Bachelor of Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Manitoba. Committed to lifelong learning, she holds additional certifications in personal training, prenatal and postnatal exercise, and competitive sports development. Passionate about promoting an active lifestyle, Kayla views exercise as crucial for proactive healthcare, benefiting both physical and psychological well-being. She advocates for finding enjoyable forms of exercise as key to lifelong health and wellness and aims to inspire others to discover new sports and fitness activities through our programming at RRC Polytech.

Kristi Dorian – Recreation and Wellness Coordinator

After 20+ years as a health and wellness columnist and newspaper publisher, Kristi continues to expand her well-being expertise here at RRC Polytechnic.  Her passion for planning and people is rooted in creativity, integrity and positivity. Kristi comes with extensive knowledge of the College from her previous positions as an ASL-English interpreter, Administrative Assistant and Cheers for Peers Coordinator.

Headshot of Kristi Dorian

Campus Well-Being November Programs

October 29, 2024

Grey stones stacked in the foreground with soothing blues and greens in the background. White text reads Campus Well-Being Events

Sport

Participate in a variety of recreational sport activities on campus in a safe and supportive environment. 

No registration is required for intramural sports. All skill levels are welcome. Come as a team or as an individual.

Fitness and Movement

Wellness

Mental Well-Being

Recreation

RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.