Since the commencement of the stay-at-home order, it seems that life has been put on pause. School campuses are closing. Patrons can no longer sit down and dine in at their favorite local restaurants. Finding things that warrant positivity in these hard times can be a daunting task. However, it is a necessary one. Both local and statewide organizations have many virtual experiences in place of in-person interactions. Here is a list of online activities to check out for some positivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
UIndy Events:
Daily Devotionals:
In the mornings, students can join Assistant Director of the Lantz Center David Boyd on Instagram Live for a daily devotional. This is an excellent time for students to seek peace, and find it in the words of scripture. Students can head over to the McCleary Chapel Instagram account (@mcclearychapel) at 8:50 a.m. to get involved.
Couch Potato Trivia:
Are you looking for a fun distraction from the blues of COVID-19? Look no further than trivia nights with the Office of Student Affairs! On Tuesday and Thursday nights at seven o’clock sharp, students can get in on the fun with some themed and general nights of trivia games. Learn something new and try your hand at winning cool prizes! All necessary information on how to join the trivia games can be found here.
#HoundsOnTheHunt Scavenger Hunt:
What is more fun and exciting than a scavenger hunt? To make the stakes even higher, there are some great prizes on the line! Interested students can take part in a week virtual scavenger hunt with the Office of Student Affairs! Starting at the beginning of each week, these games will last through noon on Friday. In order to participate, you must first download the app GooseChase. Additional information can be found here.
Inspire UIndy:
Students are encouraged to nominate a special mentor here. A time-honored UIndy tradition, members of the student body are allowed to take a moment and reflect on their time here on campus. As well as to acknowledge those who have helped them along the way. Any and all nominees will be sought out and given a spotlight for the help they offer to their students.
Weekly Chapel Services:
Building off of the daily devotionals, McCleary Chapel Ministries are inviting students to weekly times of worship. Chaplains will conduct these sessions through Instagram and Facebook live streams at 5:00 p.m. on. You can join these at the official McCleary social media accounts (@mcclearychapel, UIndy – McCleary Chapel Ministries).
Off-campus Events:
Virtual Museum tours:
Across the world, museums are giving their patrons the chance to walk through their activities online. People can see fine art, visit animals at the zoo, and participate in exhibits at NASA’s Houston Space Center. There are several museums to choose from! Virtual museum options can be found here
USA National Park visits:
If you have ever wanted to see the Grand Canyon, you can now do so within the confines of your own home. National parks like Denali National in Alaska and the Smoky Mountains along the Tennessee-North Carolina border are enabling people to effortlessly witness the beauty of nature. If this piques your interest, click here for more information.
Online Cooking Lessons:
Perhaps you want to learn something with this extra free time. Well, if you want to get creative, several famous celebrity chefs are livestreaming cooking lessons from their own kitchens! Click the link here to find out more information.
Online Therapy and Meditation:
The damages caused by a global health crisis aren’t just physical. For anyone whose mental health has been negatively affected by the pandemic, there are many virtual options available. Therapy, meditation apps, and licensed professionals are there to help you through this time. Click the link here to view some online resources available.
Guitar Lessons:
For anyone who enjoys music, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is now giving people an excellent opportunity to learn an instrument. For three months, they are offering free virtual guitar lessons! To get started, click this link here to begin your lessons!
