Heart-J ELEVATE

About the Program

Heart-J Center’s ELEVATE Program is a nature-based mental health support program that combines the healing power of nature with memorable experiences in the outdoors, facilitated by a team of educators and therapists, and customized to address the unique mental health challenges of underserved communities. It will start with a one-day outdoor experience with around 30 other people, and then if interested we will invite you back to ranch for monthly outdoor recreation opportunities. Each day will look a little different, but we will be partaking in activities such as:

Archery
Hiking
Solo time in Nature
Connecting with Horses
Art Projects - Watercolor, Writing Time, Music
Basic Yoga Techniques, Breathing Exercises, and Mindfulness Tools
Healthy and Nourishing Lunch
Group Conversations
Working with Therapists

We want to provide the space and skills for self reflection and assessment, work with professionals to identify and develop coping strategies that work for you, emerge with more positive sense of self, and come away with a Mental Health Field Guide that has tangible resources for helping with your mental health. We want to meet you where you are, no expectations, no rush, just being.

About Our Space

Sylvan Dale is a private guest ranch that has been family ran since 1946. Located 15 minutes from the town of Loveland and one hour from downtown Denver in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Sylvan Dale is situated in a river valley that is protected on all sides by mountains. With 3,000 acres of pristine ranch land and water, the ranch provides the backdrop for life-changing experiences. Nestled along the banks of the Big Thompson River, Sylvan Dale Ranch is home to a rich array of wildlife, diverse natural ecosystems and irreplaceable Indigenous sites. There is a feeling of peace, freedom, and safety that makes this an ideal place for sharing safe outdoor experiences that challenge the body and nourish the spirit. A place to connect to nature, to ourselves, and to each other.

Who We Are

The Heart-J Center for Experiential Learning is a non-profit organization that opened it’s doors in 2013 and has served more than 24,000 people. HJC partners with schools, universities, and community organizations from around Colorado to host a variety of outdoor classes, retreats, and workshops and to give people of all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and occupations the opportunity to partake in the healing power of nature. We believe in the power of lifelong learning and outdoor experiences to inspire people, to help people recover from stress or loss, to fuel creativity, and to instill a sense of adventure to help people lead more fulfilling lives. In 2024, we received a grant from The Colorado Trust to develop our new program, ELEVATE. We are so excited to see where our next steps will take us in giving more people the time, resources, and space to be unapologetically themselves while in nature.

Come as You Are

Who?

College students and adults that represent underserved racial and ethnic minorities, immigrant/refugee populations, the LGBTQ+ community, first generation college students, those with neurodiversity, and those who work in service to others such as agricultural, healthcare, veterans, teachers, therapists, social workers, nonprofit staff, first responders, food service, retail works, restaurant workers, journalists, and many more.

Why?

Because we care about you, and we want to give ALL people access to mental health services. We believe in the healing power of nature, and we want to share it with you.

How often?

The ELEVATE Program will be a one-day outdoor experience serving an average of 30 people at a time, followed by monthly outdoor recreation opportunities. Participants will receive regular follow up information and encouragement to continue to participate, through both an interactive website and a monthly email/text outreach information.

When?

Our program will start in 2025, and will run throughout the year. Check out our schedule to find a time that works for your or your organization, or join an already pre set day. We will be hosting elevate sessions a few days a week until 2027.

Where?

We will be hosting ELEVATE programs at Sylvan Dale Ranch, just 15 minutes outside of Loveland and an hour from Denver.

What’s Next?

If you are interested in participating in our Elevate Program, or want to learn more, fill out our form on the “Contact Us” page. If you ready to schedule a time, head on over to scheduling page. We are waiting for you!

Meet the Team