Camarillo Health Care District’s VR Activity Club encourages group experiences and social connection through an immersive program that combines virtual reality travel and in-real-life (IRL) activities. Participants may take a stroll down memory lane or learn something new by engaging in a group activity, and experience the excitement of virtual travel with guided tours and discussions.

These clubs are made up of six individuals who meet four consecutive weeks. The experiences are one-hour long with an additional 30 minutes set aside for an optional Snack & Chat (participants bring their own snacks for themselves and snack while getting to know each other better, building their connection and possibly leading to a friendship). Cost is $30 for the series.

VR has proven to help improve quality of life and a sense of well-being by reducing loneliness, addressing depression, and reducing barriers to socialization through common experiences. According to the study “Impact of Virtual Reality Experience on Older Adults’ Well Being” published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Design and Management and MIT AgeLab, "VR is believed to be beneficial to older adults due to its immersive interaction capabilities.

"Participants who used the VR system reported being less socially isolated, being less likely to show signs of depression, experiencing positive affects more frequently, and feeling better about their overall well-being.”

VR Activity Club 1 will be offered on Tuesdays, April 22-May 13, 10-11:30 a.m.

·         April 22: Celebrating Earth: We’ll explore our wonderful planet in honor of Earth Day. We’ll start by snorkeling virtually along the Great Barrier Reef and "swimming" with sea turtles. Then we'll visit mountains around the world, from Denali to Mount Fuji, climbing the highest peaks. A virtual birdwatching activity is planned and we’ll see how many bird species we can identify as a group!

·         April 29: Blast from the Past and Reminiscing theme: Let’s travel back in time to experience an iconic 1950s event, discuss the cultural revolution of the1960s and flashback to the groovy 1970s for a look at the rise of disco to blockbuster films using virtual reality. Our activity will be “Name the Disco Tune.”

·         May 6: Mental Health is Everything: We’ll kick of Mental Health Awareness Month by indulging in nurturing and restorative experiences. Enjoy a peaceful nature scene using VR, explore meditation while donning a headset, and participate in a virtual chair yoga lesson, where you’ll learn techniques to help mobility, reduce strain and improve posture. Our activity will be focused on positive affirmations and powerful phrases using the words “I am.”

·         May 13: Motherhood: Celebrate motherhood by enjoying a playdate with a happy granddaughter, touring a colorful flower field, and learning about Princess Diana’s endless love for children. Walk in Diana’s shoes to learn about her fascinating life and how she impacted what it means to be royalty. Our activity will be writing a Mother’s Day poem about the importance of mothers using the prompt: “What does being a mother or having a mother mean to you?”

VR Activity Club 2 will be offered on Fridays, June 20-July 18 (no gathering July 4), 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

June 20: Perfect Summer Day: Summer is officially here, so let’s kick it off with a relaxing beach day virtually in Cancun, Mexico. Build up an appetite for a cookout celebration as we immerse ourselves in a barbecue with grillmaster Dave. Then we’ll venture deep into the Sierra Nevada mountains of California using our headsets to marvel at the wonders of the Yosemite National Park. Our activity is developing a Beach Day playlist. What’s your beach vibe giving?

June 27: A Day at the Museum: Let’s explore museums around the world! Visit the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, tour the National Portrait Gallery, where art and history meet, and enjoy a look into the Natural History Museum. Our activity encourages you to use your inspiration from these museum tours to draw a portrait in infinite space using the VR application Paint.

July 11: Scenic Safari: Join us for an exciting day of exploration as we embark on virtual tours of Patagonia, the Galapagos Islands, and the Grey Glacier. We’ll discover unique wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. Our activity will be mimicking the unique movements of animals from the virtual tours, such as the penguin waddle, sea lions swimming or the slow crawl of a tortoise. Also, guess the animal we are mimicking as we talk about animals in their environments.

July 18: Revitalized by Nature: Experience a relaxing virtual tour of Sapa, meditate in serene rock pools surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil mountain views using your headset and explore Zen places worldwide. Conclude your journey with a reflective activity about nature using a pen and paper as we journal together.