Wellness Events

Reimbursement for purchases that support wellness 

The Wellness Committee is excited to offer faculty and staff up to $50 towards a purchase that helps you meet your fitness and nutrition goals. Examples of eligible purchases include gym memberships, an exercise class, race entry fee, fitness or nutrition app subscriptions. Purchases from January 1 through March 6 are eligible and receipts should be submitted to Human Resources for reimbursement. This offer is available to the first 50 participants, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!

Yoga for Staff and Faculty

On Wednesday, September 25 from 12:00-1:00 pm, join Yoga Instructors Carly Rudzinski and Michelle Rollins in the Dance Studio above the Wellness Gym for stress reduction and flexibility asanas. All levels are welcome; alternative postures will be provided based on need. If we get at least five people in attendance, we will provide this yoga session for the following three Wednesdays, same time and place, as a trial to see if there is an interest. The yoga class will begin at 12:15 pm and end at 12:45 pm, providing enough time during your lunch hour to arrive and get back to your office/class. This class is free; please dress in comfortable clothing and bring a towel or mat.

Choose Your Own Wellness Adventure

Participating is easy:

March 13, 2018–May 16, 2018 | Spring Wellness Event Series

In the Spring of 2018, the Wellness Committee hosted a series of wellness events. These included:

Eating Healthy in the Dining Hall | March 13, 2018
Chef Steve will give a tour of the dining hall and highlight exciting things happening now as well as in the future Commons space.  

Growing Your Own Healthy Food | March 19, 2018
Did you know that the College has a seed library and a farm? Learn more about both at this event. 

Meditation 101 (Session 1) | March 28, 2018
Come learn the basics in this low-key introduction by Dr. Randy Anselmo, who has been practicing meditation for over 30 years. 

Meditation 101 (Session 2) | March 29, 2018
Come learn the basics in this low-key introduction by Dr. Randy Anselmo, who has been practicing meditation for over 30 years. 

Transforming the Way You Think About Food | April 5, 2018
Dana Notte from Green Mountain at Fox Run will provide strategies to achieve a healthy and balanced relationship with food. 

Healthy Cooking Demonstration | April 17, 2018
Chef Steve will demonstrate how to prepare and cook healthy meals. Taste for yourself how delicious healthy food can be! 

Optionz Health Fitness Sampler | April 19, 2018
Join Andrea of Optionz Health and Fitness as she leads a Tabata session and DanceFit session (similar to Zumba). 

Lunchtime Running/Walking Group Kickoff | April 23, 2018
National Walk @ Lunch Day is designed to encourage busy people to find time to move by walking during their lunch breaks. 

Gentle Office Yoga | May 2, 2018
Learn simple techniques specifically designed to be done at work and help relieve stress, increase flexibility and promote productivity. 

Health and Wellness Fair | May 16, 2018
More than twenty local area health and wellness vendor demos, biometric screenings, and more than $500 in raffle drawings! 

January 22, 2018–June 30, 2018 | The Wellness Grant Initiative

The Wellness Committee invited all faculty and staff members to participate in the 2018 Wellness Initiative.

More information:

If the College has a greater than 50% completion rate among all faculty and staff we receive a $4,000 grant which can be used toward health and wellness programming.

Participation Information:

• What: Take the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Assessment—a confidential online questionnaire that provides you with a picture of your overall health. This survey is designed to encourage healthy behaviors for Bennington community members. Or, report a preventive visit with your primary care provider (annual well exam) completed after July 1, 2017.

• Why: If you complete either the Assessment or report a well visit, you’ll get a $25 gift card to Hannaford Supermarket. Those who complete the survey by March 15th will be entered in a raffle to win additional prizes. The online health assessment takes only about 15 minutes to complete; reporting a visit takes just a few minutes.

• How: Simply go to the Health and Wellness Survey login portal; if you already have an account, login with your existing username and password. If not, create an account. Your first and last name should be entered as they appear on your Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont insurance card, or as they appear on your paycheck for those who have medical benefits through another provider. You’ll also be asked for your date of birth.

• Questions: If you have any issues creating an account or logging in, email bwell@bcbsvt.com. 

Other important information:

• If you have taken the survey before, we encourage you to take it again to get an updated picture of your health–only assessments completed after July 1, 2017, help us earn the grant.

• Your personal information will never be monitored or reported on; all information that you share is anonymized in any reports that the College and insurers would see. Please review the wellness notice to understand the College’s compliance with confidentiality, among other obligations.

May 17, 2017 | Wellness Fair

10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Greenwall Auditorium

Human Resources and the Wellness Committee are pleased to invite faculty and staff to the Benefits and Wellness Fair. Representatives from BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont, Delta Dental, VSP, Combined Services and TIAA, among others, will be on-site to assist employees with learning about the benefit programs offered by the College.

Additionally, more than 20 local vendors/organizations will be showcasing regional wellness resources such as fitness centers, massage and spa options, financial planning support, farms and healthy eating options. Biometric screening will be offered for those interested in an assessment of their overall health and understanding of their risk for chronic preventable diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. 

If you have any questions, please contact benefits@bennington.edu.

Vendor and Representative List

• Bank of Bennington
• BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont
• Combined Services
• Mercer
• Northeast Delta Dental
• TIAA (College's retirement plan vendor)
• Acupuncture for Peace & Wellbeing (The Left Bank)
• American Lung Association
• American Red Cross
• Bennington Rescue Squad
• Biometric Screening
• Clear Brook Farm
• DKMS
• Eastwick Physical Therapy
• Green Mountain Oasis
• James Williams (Financial Representative)
• Jophiels Salon and Wellness Loft
• McKenna (Financial Representative)
• Meyer Rec Barn
• Mighty Food Farm
• Moms on a Mission
• Optionz Health and Fitness
• Revolution Racquet and Fitness
• Stram Center
• The Yoga Place
• Time for Yourself
• Training for More
• United Counseling Service
• Wellness Committee

April 24–28, 2017 | Walk at Lunch Week

Walking is one of the simplest, safest, and most effective forms of exercise, but it can be hard to find time in your busy schedule to participate in physical activity. The Wellness Committee invites all faculty and staff to come out during their lunchtime and enjoy the spring weather. National Walk at Lunch Day is April 26, and we encourage you to find a day or days during the week of April 24–28 to take a stroll. Not sure where to go? Find a walking path below that fits your timeframe—bring your walking shoes, grab a buddy, and turn a working lunch into a walking lunch!

The Mile-Around Woods (less than one mile)

• This carriage road was laid out by Trenor Park, the builder of the Park-McCullough House. From the Park-McCullough House entrance, walk west on McCullough Road for about 200 yards. Enter the farm road on your left between the two stone gateposts. At the first intersection (about 50 yards), turn right and uphill on the farm road lined by maple trees. Go straight between the two stone gateposts at the entry to the woods. (An immediate and hard right leads to field trails and the Trillium Woods.) For the Mile-Around Trail, continue straight ahead. There is an intersection about 30 feet into the woods. Go either way. The Mile-Around trail is a loop. (The loop itself is less than a mile. The mile is measured from the bottom of the maple-lined farm road.) 

The Short Aldrich Trail (2.0–2.5 hours)

• This trail circles the valley of Paran Creek. If you follow the entire route, it will take approximately 2 to 2½ hours. The route includes deep woods, farm fields, millponds, wetlands, village streets, and views of historic mansions and 19th century industrial sites.
  
  Go to the Mile-Around Trail as described above, but bear right at the intersection located about 40 feet into the Woods. Where the carriage road bears left and uphill, the Short Aldrich Trail enters the Woods. (There should be a sign.) Follow the trail about 75 yards to an intersection. Bear right and down to the edge of the field by a bench. Follow the trail the entire length of the field, keeping the tree line on your left. (Do not turn right at the intersection at the center of the field) There should be a sign where the trail enters the Woods. In the woods, the Short Aldrich Trail is marked with blue blazes painted on trees. Follow the trail through the woods. The trail will gradually head uphill and to the left. After several hundred yards, it will bear sharply right on to a broad path. Then, after a gentle descent, it will bear sharply left again into the woods. The trail then descends steeply to Park Street. Remember, keep following the blue blazes.
  
  At Park Street, you can return to the P-M House by turning left and following Park Street uphill to the intersection with West Street. To continue on The Short Aldrich Trail, turn right on Park Street and walk about 100 yards to the intersection with Hillside Street. Turn left and walk down Hillside Street. At Route 67A, use caution. Stay on the right side of 67A and head along the side of the road toward the small bridge over Paran Creek. Be sure to cross the bridge on the right side where there is a pedestrian walkway. After crossing the bridge, again using great caution, cross Route 67A and walk up Scarey Lane. You will go by several houses and then the rear of the mill owned by the Bennington County Industrial Commission. There will be a staircase on your left, which descends to the milldam.
  
  Turn right at the base of the stairs, just before the dam. You are now again on the Short Aldrich Trail, and again it is marked with blue blazes. Follow the trail north along the slope above the reservoir and then into deeper woods. Keep following the blue blazes. This trail will emerge, finally, in a field behind the old Jennings mansion at Bennington College. Turn left along the trail that borders the field, keeping the field on your right. You will soon enter woods, and then emerge at the top of Prospect Street in the Village. Turn left and descend Prospect Street to Pangea restaurant. Cross Route 67A and then walk up West Street to the Park McCullough House.

Blue Trail 

Jennings Loop (about 30 minutes)

• Begin at the flagpole in front of the Barn
• Head towards the Student Center, on the roadway
• Turn right near Dickinson onto the stone trail heading uphill towards the Deane Carriage Barn
• Follow this pathway and walk in front of Jennings
• Veer right and head downhill towards CAPA
• Stay straight past VAPA until you reach the T
• Turn right and walk up the hill past the Campus Safety Booth and return back to the flagpole

North Bennington Loop (about 50 minutes)

• Begin at the flagpole in front of the Barn
• Head down the hill past the Campus Safety Booth and turn left towards VAPA
• Walk up, past Jennings, and leave campus onto Prospect St.
• Walk across the street to West St.
• Take a right at School St.
• Take a right at Route 67
• Take a right at Main St.
• Take a left onto West/Prospect St.
• Walk behind Jennings on the dirt road
• Walk in front of Jennings and veer right to head downhill towards VAPA
• Stay straight past VAPA until you reach the T
• Turn right and walk up the hill past the Campus Safety Booth and return back to the flagpole

Park St. (about 1 hour)

• Begin at the flagpole in front of the Barn
• Head down the hill past the Campus Safety Booth and turn left towards VAPA
• Walk up, past Jennings, and leave campus onto Prospect St.
• Walk down Prospect Stt
• Cross Route 67
• Walk up West St. towards the Park McCullough House
• Turn left on Park St.
• Turn left on Hillside St.
• Stay straight onto Route 67
• Turn left on Royal St.
• Bear left on Asa Way (basically straight) walking past Susan Taylor Lane on right
• Continue on Asa Way up the hill
• Road ends, continue straight into Bennington College field
• Bear left towards College