student pumping their hands above their head in a grass field shaded by the sun

Dare to CARE

Dare to CARE is Champlain College's comprehensive wellbeing campaign, focused on four major themes: Connect, Act, Respect, and Empower.

A student's focus on their wellbeing is just as important as their focus on academics. Thriving both personally and professionally in a college environment is achievable through focus, self awareness, and engagement.

 

What is Dare to CARE?

Dare to CARE represents all of the various wellbeing initiatives happening on our Burlington, Vermont campus and brings them together under one collaborative framework. Many Champlain community members focus on wellbeing in their work with students, whether it be through classroom curricula, student events, Student Health & Wellness Center educational campaigns, and more. Dare to CARE connects the dots between all of these efforts.

 

What does the 'CARE' in Dare to CARE stand for?

CARE is an acronym for the following words. Further context is provided in italics.

Connect: Access support for yourself and others (people, places, resources).

Act: Take safe and effective action when you see a potential problem (bystander intervention).

Respect: Maintain healthy relationships with others (family, friends, roommates, intimate partners) and yourself (knowing your limits for alcohol and other drugs, setting boundaries).

Empower: Gain knowledge through education and training.

All of these topics and actions are important steps to achieving personal and community-wide wellbeing. Each aspect of the Dare to CARE campaign focuses on one or more of these four themes.

 

Why is a college-wide wellbeing campaign a priority at Champlain College?

We know navigating college academics, friendships, relationships, internships, and more can be challenging. Life can be a lot to juggle sometimes, and we want to provide the educational opportunities needed so students are aware of the wellbeing resources available on campus and in the community. Adding a few wellbeing tips and tricks to our tool belts can never hurt when trying to center ourselves among competing priorities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we all live and learn. Having a good understanding of wellbeing is crucial as students navigate new anxieties, experiences, and challenges in their life as a college student.

Learn by doing.

Learn by doing. You've often heard this motto when it comes to academics at Champlain College. We are a career-focused college with an emphasis on experiential learning and hands-on education. Dennis Gillan, mental health advocate and motivational speaker, reminded students to embody this motto when it comes to their self-care as well.

Gillan shared his wellbeing journey with an engaged crowd of Champlain students on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 during a soft launch of the Dare to CARE campaign. "My mental health is just as important as my physical health, and so is yours," he said. "Be an advocate for yourself, take care of yourself."

white male mental health speaker is on stage with a projector screen reading "suicide prevention resources"

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The View Events hub is a great place to see what events are happening on campus. You can filter using the "Wellbeing" category. Also be sure to keep an eye out for the Stall Street Journal (a weekly calendar of events) in all campus restrooms. Want to submit a wellbeing event to The View Events and Stall Street Journal? Use this form. When filling out the category section, check "Wellbeing."

Link to this FAQ

The Wellbeing Peer Coach is a student leadership position that supports both the Dare to CARE campaign and the InSight Wellbeing track. Students can apply for the position through Handshake.

Link to this FAQ