Why a Wellness Tent Belongs at a Folk Festival
- Karli Alm
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
It has been three weeks since some of the Off the Beaten Path team and some enthusiastic folkies volunteered in the Wellness tent at the Canmore Folk Festival. It was three days of connection, music, peer support, and above all fun!
The Wellness Tent was created to provide a space for people who needed quiet, containment, regulation, or connection, to come and spend as much time as they needed. It was used by folkies of all ages; the kids enjoyed the mist fans, fidgets, and the hammock. Adult folkies enjoyed the comfy chairs, quiet time with a colouring book or puzzle, and the shade of the tent.
The tent was neighbours with the St. John’s Ambulance and we worked together to support the physical, mental, and emotional needs of folkies. When someone came looking for first aid we helped them find the St. John’s folks, and when someone they helped needed a place to warm up or rest, they sent them to us. It was such a lovely experience of community care and collaboration.
In between shifts the volunteers got to take in the music and the community spirit of the festival. Stories and recommendations about music and bands were shared between volunteers and folkies and you could feel a sense of collective joy. In the tent, the feelings and emotions experienced through music were shared and processed in community.
Lastly, a wellness tent helps to increase accessibility at the festival. The festival can be overwhelming to our senses and is a long weekend of fun. Having a place to rest and recover helped some attendees to care for themselves while also being able to attend the festival and have a good time.
We already have new ideas for next year:
Bring more earplugs,
Create communication supports,
Have a phone charging station,
Have a blankets/warming station, and
Have a printed schedule, and more.
Our team appreciated all of the people who volunteered, stopped by the tent, and gave us any feedback or suggestions for next year.
This blog was written by Karli Alm, Registered Psychologist | Off the Beaten Path Psychology and Wellness | Airdrie, Alberta
At Off the Beaten Path Psychology, we provide counselling and therapy services to individuals, couples, and families in Airdrie, Calgary, and Cochrane, Alberta. Our team supports anxiety, burnout, relationship challenges, and trauma recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your mental health journey.