You’ve RSVP’ed to Holland Ponds & Yates Cider Mill August 18th

5:00 PM — 6:30 PM

Hi Recess Clubbers!

We’re walking TOMORROW! 🌿🥾

I’m so excited to get outside with all of you for our Holland Ponds → Yates Cider Mill Nature Walk tomorrow evening.

We have more than 30 people RSVP’d, which makes me so happy! Since we have a larger group, please take a few minutes to read through all of the details below, especially the meeting location, parking instructions, trail information, and group-walking notes. If you can no longer attend, please reply to this email, so I can open it up to someone on the waitlist.

📅 Tuesday, August 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 PM – approximately 6:30 PM || Suggested Arrival: 4:45 - 4:50 pm
🥾 Approximately 3.5 miles | Out & Back | Nature Walk
📍 Holland Ponds, Shelby Township
50385 Ryan Rd., Shelby Township, MI 48317

🚻 Restrooms: Holland Ponds has portable restrooms located near the park entrance.

📍 IMPORTANT: MEETING + PARKING INFORMATION

Please navigate to HOLLAND PONDS — not Yates Cider Mill.

Meeting Address:

Holland Ponds ** address not exact : reference map below
50385 Ryan Rd.
Shelby Township, MI 48317

Holland Ponds is located on Ryan Road, just south of 22 Mile Road.

We will meet near the Holland Ponds trailhead/parking area before heading out together.

Because we have 30+ RSVPs and this is a public park, please give yourself a little extra time to arrive, park, use the restroom if needed, and find our group.

I recommend arriving between 4:45–4:50 PM.

Look for the Recess Club group — you’ll find us! 💗

If you're coming with a friend and can carpool, even better.

Please do NOT meet us at Yates Cider Mill. Yates is our turnaround destination. We will be starting and finishing at Holland Ponds.

I’ve also attached a map of our route to this email, so please take a look at it before tomorrow.

📱 PLEASE DOWNLOAD ALLTRAILS BEFORE YOU COME

This one is important!

Because we have such a large group, we will naturally spread out a little along the trail.

Please download the AllTrails app before arriving and pull up:

Holland Ponds to Yates Cider Mill

I highly recommend saving the route to your phone ahead of time so you can easily reference it while we're walking. The trail has areas where we may need to pay attention to turns and trail connections, and with 30+ people, we won't always be walking in one tight group.

Having the route available on your own phone gives you an extra layer of confidence if you find yourself between groups or chatting and miss a turn.

🥾 WHAT TO EXPECT WITH A GROUP THIS SIZE

Recess Club walks are meant to feel welcoming, social, and relaxed — this is not a race!

Tomorrow's trail generally allows us to walk about 2–3 people side by side, which means 30+ people will naturally create a longer line along the trail.

Some people will walk a little faster.
Some will take their time.
Some will stop to look at something beautiful.
Some will find a new friend and talk the entire way. 😊

That is all completely okay.

We'll do our best to stay connected as a group, but you should feel comfortable walking at a pace that feels good for your body.

This is also why having AllTrails downloaded and the route map available is important.

Please be mindful of other trail users as well. When runners, cyclists, or other walkers need to pass, simply move to the side and give them room.

🌳 OUR WALK

We'll head out from Holland Ponds and make our way toward the Yates Cider Mill area before turning around and returning to Holland Ponds.

Expect approximately:

🥾 3.5 miles total
⏰ About 1½ hours
🌿 Comfortable, conversational pace

Holland Ponds is filled with wetlands, wooded trails, wildlife, birds, and beautiful pockets of nature.

Our goal isn't to set a speed record.

It's to move our bodies, get outside, meet someone new, unplug for a little while, and enjoy a summer evening together.

🕷️ Because we'll be walking through a natural wooded and wetland environment, please be tick-aware. Before getting back into your car after the walk, take a minute to check yourself for ticks, especially around your socks, ankles, legs, waistband, and other areas where clothing fits closely.

Once you're home, it's also a good idea to do a more thorough tick check.

A little preparation goes a long way — bug spray, hiking socks, shoes that can get dirty, and a quick tick check before heading home!

🎒 WHAT TO BRING

Please come prepared with:

• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes - walking a dirt trail

• Water bottle — please arrive hydrated!

• Weather-appropriate clothing

• Bug spray, if you like to use it

• Sunscreen

• Your fully charged phone + AllTrails Route

• A mindset ready to unplug, go screen-free, and move your body.

You may also want to leave a clean pair of shoes or socks in your car in case portions of the trail are damp or muddy.

💗 ONE LAST THING...

If this is your first Recess Club, we’re excited to welcome you!

Please don't worry about showing up alone, knowing anyone, being "outdoorsy enough," or walking at a certain speed.

You belong here. Recess Club exists because I believe adults need more reasons to put down the screen, step outside, move their bodies, play, explore, and connect with each other.

Tomorrow evening is simply about doing a little more of that together.

SO excited to see all of you tomorrow! 🌿🥾💗

Please double-check the meeting location tonight, download AllTrails, save the attached map, fill up your water bottle, and get ready for some RECESS.

See you at Holland Ponds!

XX. Melissa
Recess-Club.com

⚠️ IMPORTANT HEALTH + SAFETY REMINDER

Please remember that you are responsible for assessing your own health, fitness level, and ability to participate safely.

By choosing to attend this Recess Club event, you are confirming that you are in good health and physically able to comfortably complete an approximately 3.5-mile outdoor walk.

Outdoor trails can include uneven ground, roots, rocks, mud, insects, changing weather conditions, slippery surfaces, wildlife, and other natural hazards.

Please:

• Walk at a pace appropriate for your body.

• Watch your footing and surroundings.

• Stay hydrated.

• Wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

• Do not participate if you are feeling ill, injured, dizzy, unusually fatigued, or have another condition that would make the walk unsafe for you.

• Follow the route and remain aware of where you are on the trail.

Participation is voluntary, and each attendee assumes responsibility for their personal health, safety, belongings, and decision to participate.

If at any point something doesn't feel right, listen to your body. There is absolutely no pressure to push through discomfort for the sake of keeping up with the group.