Mental Health Meets Community: Picnic Hangout 2.0 Brings Students Together at Dam 5
University of Embu - Saturday, November 15th, 2025, saw the scenic Dam 5 grounds transform into a haven of laughter, creativity, and connection as the University of Embu Mental Health Club and the Rotaract Club of the University of Embu hosted Picnic Hangout 2.0.
What began as a coincidental double-booking turned into a beautiful collaboration. When both clubs discovered they had planned picnics for the same day and venue, they decided to join forces. After all, isn't it believed that the more the merrier? The result was an afternoon that brought together 50 students for an experience centered on mental wellness, team building, and pure fun.
Breaking the Ice
The event kicked off with "Concentration is the Game," an icebreaker that helped participants get to know one another. The activity set a welcoming tone for the day, creating an atmosphere where strangers could quickly become friends.
Coloring Outside the Lines
Following the warm-up, participants dove into an art therapy session, working in groups to color various drawings. But this wasn't just about staying within the lines. After completing their artwork, each group shared their creative process with the rest, explaining their choice of crayon colors and the lessons they drew from the collaborative experience. The activity proved that sometimes the simplest acts can open doors to meaningful conversation and self-expression.
Connection and Blessing
The afternoon deepened with a pairing activity where participants got to know each other on a more personal level. Pairs shared their stories and took time to bless one another, creating moments of vulnerability and mutual support that embodied the event's focus on mental wellness and genuine human connection.
Unleashing the Inner Child
The energy shifted as games, including the beloved dodgeball known locally as "Kati," brought out the inner child in each participant. The competitive spirit, playful banter, and uninhibited joy served as a powerful reminder that mental wellness often starts with allowing ourselves to simply play and be present in the moment.
The day concluded with announcements from the Rotaract Club about upcoming initiatives, reinforcing the spirit of continued collaboration.
"The goal was simple," explains Naomi Makena, Communication Director of the Mental Health Club. "We wanted students to touch grass, reset, learn, network, and build stronger connections with one another."
A Partnership Worth Repeating
The success of Picnic Hangout 2.0 demonstrates the power of collaboration in promoting student mental health and community building. The spontaneous partnership between the two clubs created an atmosphere where students could step away from academic pressures and engage in activities that nourish both mind and spirit.
For students seeking community, creative expression, and a break from the everyday grind, events like these prove that sometimes the best therapy is a sunny afternoon, good company, and permission to simply be yourself.
Interested in joining the University of Embu Mental Health Club or the Rotaract Club? Both welcome new members who are passionate about mental wellness, community service, and creating meaningful connections. Reach out to either club to learn more about upcoming events and how you can be part of building a supportive campus community.
Building on this momentum, the Rotaract Club of the University of Embu will host "Unplugged Thoughts" on November 30th from 9 AM to 6 PM at PKEMU Gardens, Gakwegori. The event promises another day of mental wellness through art, games, poetry, karaoke, and meaningful connections.
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