NEWS
Page 4 | SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
She Ascends:
Women hikers take a break for meditation in Rockville’s Eagle Park this spring. Other hikes throughout the year include an Earth Day hike in April and a jingle bell hike in December.
Hiking club f ms in Bent C nty
Group helps women connect with nature, each other BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – A new group is offering women a way to connect with nature and each other as they explore the outdoors in Benton County. She Ascends, a womens hiking and wellness club, has formed a Benton County chapter. The group, led by St. Joseph resident Keri Schaaf, held their first hike Mother’s Day weekend at Bend in the River Regional Park south of Rice. “It’s just good to get out in nature,” said Schaaf, who organized the
Benton County chapter and is looking to grow its membership. “It’s women empowering women. Everybody is so positive. It’s really inspiring.” The group is open to adult women of all ages and ability levels. “Come as you are,” Schaaf said. “You don’t have to buy any special stuff.” The group meets for a hike once a month and also hosts pop-up hikes throughout the year. Hikes last about an hour or two and usually take place on Saturday mornings or weekday evenings. Hikes take place
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
She Ascends members hike in Glacial Ridge State Park in Starbuck this spring. Through hiking and wellness opportunities, the mission of She Ascends is to connect women of all ages to each other, to nature and to themselves so they can live happier, healthier lives.
2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (320) 251-1971 Sauk Rapids Herald (USPS 21690) is published weekly, 52 times a year, by Star Publications, 2 2nd Ave S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-1651. Second-class Postage paid at Sauk Rapids, MN 56379. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sauk Rapids Herald, 2 2nd Ave S, Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-1651.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Official newspaper of Benton County, the cities of Sauk Rapids and Rice and Independent School District No. 47
throughout the year unless it is unsafe to venture outdoors due to weather, Schaaf said. The group typically meets at the location of a hike, or members can carpool to sites farther away. It is not mandatory to attend every hike. Upcoming hikes will take place at River Bluffs Regional Park, George Friedrich Park, Sauk River Regional Park in St. Cloud and again at Bend in the River Regional Park near Rice. The group will also hike at Eagle Park in Rockville and at Lake Carlos near Alexandria with members of the Stearns and Becker chapters. Special hikes include an Earth Day hike, a meditation hike and a jingle bell hike. During the Earth Day hike, hikers pick up trash. Other group activities such as yoga and kayaking are offered on some hikes. She Ascends also hosts a day trip, weekend trip and weeklong trip each year. Day trips involve allday hiking in state parks with women from across the region. Hikers work toward a challenge and receive a shirt when completed. Weekend wellness retreats focus on self-care. Participants gather from around the state to hike, relax and learn ways to create or enhance a selfcare plan involving nutritional, physical and mental health practices. Week-long trips take place at either a national
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Keri Schaaf (front), Mindy Jensen (back, left) and Capri Loegering hike in Bend in the River Regional Park south of Rice. She Ascends, a womens hiking and wellness club, formed a Benton County chapter led by Schaaf.
park or international hiking destination. They are designed to push hikers’ limits and bring personal growth as they interact with a new state or country and are exposed to terrain and cultures. Founded by a Stearns County resident, She Ascends was launched in April 2019 and has since expanded to 13 counties, including Morrison and Becker. Benton and Dakota counties are the newest chapters. “I’m really excited,” Schaaf said about expanding to Benton County. Through hiking and wellness opportunities, the mission of She Ascends is to connect women of all ages to each other, to nature and to themselves so they can live happier, healthier lives. With the belief that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity, She As-
cends intergenerational hikes aim to strengthen bodies, feed minds and calm souls so women can be their best version of themselves and their light can shine for others, according to the group. Schaaf, who moved to central Minnesota from North Dakota, joined the Stearns County chapter in July 2019. The group has helped her build positive friendships and forge meaningful connections with women of all ages and backgrounds, she said. “Every time I meet someone new,” Schaaf said. When she goes for a hike, a feeling of thankfulness always comes over her. “Thankful that we have each other and such beautiful places to hike,” she said. Aside from hikes, Schaaf has continued to
grow those friendships through She Ascends Facebook groups. “It’s been great for me to meet like-minded people and just learn about the area,” she said. Schaaf has hiked with as few as two people and as many as 30 people. The first hike is free. The club has a yearly membership option that covers regular monthly hikes and offers discounts on day trips, weekend adventures and week-long trips; otherwise, women can pay per hike. Schaaf has been exploring places to hike in Benton County and is excited for upcoming hikes. She has started a Facebook group called She Ascends Benton County. Members of the private group post dates for regular and spontaneous hikes and special events.
Advertising: Our ad takers have no authority to bind this Letters: Letters to the editor and other opinion articles are newspaper, and only publication of an advertisement shall welcomed. Letters must be signed with first and last name and constitute final acceptance of the advertiser’s order. include address and phone number. Letters should be short and to the point (400 words or less). We reserve the right to edit lengthy Subscription Rates: Free in Sauk Rapids, Rice and Sartell P.O. letters. boxes, city routes and rural routes. Corrections/Clarifications: The Herald strives for accuracy. If Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne and Stearns counties you would like to report a factual error, please call 320-251-1971. $50 per year Elsewhere in Minnesota - $57 • Outside Minnesota - $60 per year $5 per month for snowbirds Deadlines: The deadline for most news in the Herald is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Exceptions are obituaries which have a deadline of 10 a.m. Thursday. The deadline for advertisements in the Herald is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Mark Klaphake Joyce Frericks Missy Traeger Natasha Barber Nancy Powell Maria Bichler Ellarry Prentice Tom Fenton Evan Michealson Jakob Kounkel Amanda Thooft Pat Turner
mark.k@dairystar.com .................General Manager joyce@saukherald.com ............. Business Manager missy@saukherald.com.................... Sales Manager natasha@saukherald.com .................................Editor nancy.p@dairystar.com ................................Manager ........................................................................ Copy Editor ellarry@star-pub.com ...................................Reporter tom.f@star-pub.com......................................Reporter evan.m@star-pub.com .................................Reporter jakob.k@star-pub.com...................................Reporter amanda@saukherald.com .. Production Manager pat@saukherald.com ...................Graphic Designer
Maddy Peterson Cheyenne Carlson Kayla Hunstiger Jennifer Coyne Tim Vos Warren Stone Bob Leukam Robin Brunette Amy McChesney Gretchen Jennissen Lorie Swedenburg Logan Thomas
maddy@star-pub.com .................Graphic Designer Cheyenne@star-pub.com...........Graphic Designer kayla@saukherald.com .. Specials Sections Editor jenn@saukherald.com ..................................Reporter tim@saukherald.com .................................Marketing warren@star-pub.com ...............................Marketing bob.l@star-pub.com ..................................Marketing robin@saukherald.com .......................... Inside Sales amy.m@star-pub.com..........................Bookkeeping gretchen@saukherald.com................Bookkeeping lorie@saukherald.com ..............................Circulation logan@saukherald.com .........................Sign Design
