ECO Wellness Events
ECO Wellness Ministry helps to connect us with God in the most basic of ways…through outdoor physical activity, exploring the outdoors in fellowship with friends and family, and becoming good stewards of God’s gift of nature.
ECO Wellness – Hunter’s Moon Night Hike- Monday, October 26th
Join us on a guided night hike sponsored by a Seminole County Natural Lands Program at Lake Harney Wilderness Area. Come out on a Monday night and enjoy the splendor of a full moon and search for hidden night creatures. If you are interested in attending, you have to sign up on the County’s registration site, RecTrac, at flseminolectyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web. Each participant must create an account and sign up for programs within the platform. The cost is $5 per person, and the hikes fill up quickly, so sign up soon. For instructions to create an account and register, please CLICK HERE. Hike details below:
Details below:
– Date and Time: Monday, October 26th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
• Location: 2187 Osceola Fish Camp Road, Geneva, FL 32732
• Description: This is a guided hike that will be led by a biologist from Seminole County’s Natural Lands Program. The cost is $5.00 per person, and you must be registered to attend the hike.
• What to Wear/Bring: Water, closed-toed shoes, insect repellent, flashlight.
Save the Date for Upcoming Hikes and Events
– Saturday, November 14th, Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area morning hike- 8:00 am
- Date and Time: Saturday, November 14, 8:00 am
- Location: 15227 Lake Pickett Rd., Orlando
- Description: This is a 706-acre upland habitat park with a high and dry loop (approximately 3 miles long) that has abundant wildlife and wildflowers.
- What to Wear/Bring: Water, closed-toed shoes, insect repellent, hat
– Saturday, December 12th, Annual Christmas Campfire and Sing-a-Long at Ft. Lane Park 5:00-8:00 pm (Details will be provided next month).
Gospel Gardens – Mary, Queen of the Universe– Sat. April 18, 2026
The ECO Wellness ministry met at the Basilica. We toured the gardens, visited the Basilica and gift shop, and then attended mass at noon.
If you have any questions, please email ecowellnessmpb@gmail.com.
Some photos from our March 21st Hike. We hope you can join us next time!
We hope everyone enjoyed the hike this past Saturday morning, April 26th, along the Florida National Scenic Trail. Many thanks to Tim and Siobhan O’Malley for guiding us through the beautiful forest and the presentation on controlled burns.
We would like to give a big THANKS to Tim and Siobhan O’Malley for Embracing Christ Outdoors with us these past few years. You have beautifully expanded the vision our founding Pastor, Bishop Stephen Parkes, had for this amazing ministry twenty years ago, and we hope to continue that legacy with our new facilitators. Beginning in February, your new ECO Wellness Ministry leaders will be:
Kelli Thomazin- Health/Wellness & Excursions
Bo Abney – Hiking
Dianne Rosensweig – Excursions
First Hike of 2025
The cold and rainy start of the day did not deter our 33 hikers and 3 dogs that joined our first ECO Wellness hike of the year this past Saturday. We took to the Seminole Ranch on the Florida National Scenic Trail once the rain stopped and kept warm by walking. The terrain was flat but had lots of roots, so everyone had to watch their step. The canopy was a beautiful wetland forested hammock. Thank you, Theresa, for kindly leading us in prayer and providing the hikers with handmade rosaries.
Nature is filled with love…
These words are the beginning of a reflection by Pope Francis on how our busy lifestyle can create an imbalance in life. Being in nature and caring for our environment is one way to recover this serene harmony with creation.
Forty ECO Wellness parishioners did just that on Saturday, October 19th on the Indian River Lagoon as a Certified Naturalist educated us on the many species and habitats that call the intercoastal waterway home.
Our next event is a hike on Saturday, November 16th. The location will be posted closer to the hike. We hope you can join us!
Contact us at ecowellnessmpb@gmail.com if you have questions, or to sign up for email reminders.
Always bring water, and wear closed-toed shoes. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at ecowellnessMPB@gmail.com
Walk with a DOC – Healthy Living Series – Laughter. Click here to learn more.
A recap of last month’s walk:
Mindfulness is being aware in the moment: One highlight from last month was the 4,7,8 breathing techniques and the importance of tapping into our relaxation response when needed. Here is a link to an instructional breathing option: https://youtu.be/p8fjYPC-k2k. If any questions, please call Kelli at 402-276-2886 or email at kkthomazin@outlook.com.
What is Walk With A Doc? An opportunity to focus on health and wellness. Meet for a 5-7 minute discussion on healthy lifestyles, then we will walk for 10-60 minutes. This is not a race, we are simply enjoying walking outside for our health
Click HERE to learn more about this wonderful program.
Questions: Please call Kelli at 402-276-2886 or email us at ECOWELLNESSMPB@GMAIL.COM.
We always have a great time at our ECO Wellness Events!
Here are some photos from our amazing kayaking excursion in August!
May 7, 2022 Hike – Florida National Scenic Trail
Our last hike back on November 16, 2020
