Some University of North Georgia students say impromptu field days give them the chance to disconnect from technology and connect with new friends.
Students find out about the event through a text in the Baptism Collegiate Ministry group chat. However, the plans are usually made in the spur of the moment.
According to the UNG BCM website, the club is a “Christ-Centered, Student-Led, Campus Minister-Directed Ministry that seeks to provide opportunities for spiritual growth and Christian community throughout college.”
Grace Opsahl, sophomore nursing major said, “I think that these field days that we get to put on through BCM allow students to get plugged in.”
Sophomore Erynn Byrom, a psychology major student, said, “It’s very spontaneous, but if the weather is good, it’s probably once a week.”
Field day events include activities like ultimate frisbee, spike ball and volleyball.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, spending time outdoors “has been linked to better sleep, lower blood pressure and reduced risk of chronic disease—likely because people who spend more time in green spaces also report higher levels of exercise.”
Byrom said, “Field Day brings a sense of simplicity and joy that lacks when we are just on our phones, disconnected, and away from one another.”
According to Harrisburg University, “We are 95% confident that the true percentage of students that had a screen time is between 7 and 10 hours.”
Opsahl said, “I would say that my favorite part of field day is just getting to connect with community and building relationships with those who I may have not met before. It is always so sweet just to meet new people and to get to love on them and make our community grow.”
UNG Field days offer a sense of community, opportunity to meet new students and an excuse to stay off your phone for an hour or two.
Yahoola Creek Park’s address is 1166 Captain McDonald Rd. in Dahlonega. BCM’s Instagram page is UNG BCM (@ungbcm) • Instagram photos and videos.
