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 4 will be offered on Wednesdays, Sept. 17-Oct. 8, 10-11:15 a.m.

Sept. 17: Grandparents' Day: Happy Grandparents' Day! Celebrate by enjoying a playdate with an adorable grandson, join a mother cat in nurturing her kittens, and watch as a grandfather mows his lawn with his grandchild. Wrap up with a special activity reminiscing about your grandparents.

Sept. 24: Hispanic Heritage Month/Latin Landscapes: Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! Celebrate this beautiful culture by touring the countries of Central America, experiencing a Toucan up close in Costa Rica, and exploring the vibrant country of Cuba. Wrap up with a personalized tour throughout South America.

Oct. 1: Captivating Coasts: Join us as we explore captivating coasts in Portugal and Italy! These mesmerizing destinations are true gems of Europe. Wrap up with an experience sharing your favorite beach trip memories.

Oct. 8: Memories & Monuments: Experience America's story in a day! From the history of the White House to Jamestown's brave beginnings and D.C.'s heroic monuments, come dive into history. We'll cap it all by filling a "Memory Time Capsule" with personal reflections, leaving a little legacy for the future!

VR Activity Club 5 will be offered on Thursdays, Oct. 30-Nov. 20, 10-11 a.m.

Oct. 30: Spooky Fun and Happy Hauntings: Hike the beautiful mountains of Vermont during fall, share your fondest Halloween memory and go on a narrated tour of Salem, Massachusetts, and learn about the deadliest witch hunt in American history. Wrap up the experience with a Snack & Chat while listening to our Spooky Tunes play list. Costumes encouraged!

Nov. 6: Autumn Adventures: Step into the beauty of the season with a day of Autumn Adventures. We'll explore the best of fall, from the festive streets of Charlestown to apple orchards in Massachusetts and cultural traditions across the globe. We'll wrap up the experience sharing our memories of our favorite autumn traditions during a Snack & Chat.

Nov. 13: Veterans Day: In honor of Veterans Day, we'll pay tribute at war memorials around the world with the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, and visit the World War II Memorial. Our activity will be focused on honoring those who survived by visiting the Women's Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, Korean War Memorial and watching the LCS-15 Boat Launch. We'll also set aside time for more conversation during our Snack & Chat.

Nov. 20: Harvest Season: It's time to celebrate the autumn harvest as we visit farms during harvest season. We'll ooh and aww at adorable farm animals and explore a key agricultural state, Iowa, which leads the nation in manufacturing and is one of the top states in agricultural sales and food distribution. At the end, we'll talk about our favorite fall activities, seasonal desserts and visit virtually our favorite local farms. A Snack & Chat will follow.

VR Activity Club 6 will be offered on Wednesdays, Nov. 26-Dec. 17, 2-3:15 p.m.

Nov. 26: Happy Thanksgiving: Come celebrate American Thanksgiving by learning about the Pilgrims' journey from England to Plymouth, and reading Indigenous Peoples' myths and legends. Passed down through the generations, these tales reveal much about the rich culture of the people within them. Our activity will be to make a gratitude chain during Snack & Chat.

Dec. 3: Nordic Adventures: We'll explore the Nordic region with a trip to Finland. This Nordic country is known for its rich history, stunning architecture and natural wonders. From Santa's hometown to the Northern Lights, Finland is full of magic. Also on our to-do list is a trip to Sweden to marvel at the wonders of Iceland. From waterfalls and glaciers to volcanos and vast landscapes, we'll be awestruck. Our activity will include uplifting meditation, followed by a Snack & Chat.

Dec. 10: Winter Wonderland: It may be sunny in SoCal, but we'll find ourselves in a winter wonderland as we explore snow-covered locations. We'll take an exhilarating snowmobile ride, tour famous ski resorts worldwide, and visit with cute moose in Alaska. Enjoy the views of tall pine trees and snow alongside the company of a friendly moose. Sit back as the majestic animal welcomes us with kiss and then heads across the icy street. Our activity will be a sing-along to "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," and "Baby, It's Cold Outside." We'll share memories during a Snack & Chat.

Dec. 17: Festive Fun and Happy Holidays: We are excited to celebrate the holiday season with you! Get in the festive spirit by learning about winter holidays, taking a trip to a festive market and more. Throughout the session, we'll reflect on our favorite holiday memories. We'll also watch ice skating in Central Park and marvel at the spectacular views of the iconic New York City skyline and look at holiday light displays in Brooklyn, NY. Our activity will be a Holiday Word Search. We'll also enjoy a Snack & Chat while listening to holiday music.