Penn State's Touch Grass Club Encourages Outdoor Connection

The Touch Grass club at Penn State was established by Tim Lakatos during his senior year to encourage students to step away from their screens and engage in outdoor activities. Inspired by the phrase 'touch grass,' which suggests taking a break from digital devices, the club aims to create a community space for students to connect.

Touch Grass focuses on four key themes: connection, movement, light, and nourishment. Lakatos, a computer science major, recognized the addictive nature of social media and sought to provide students with alternative activities, such as snowball fights and sidewalk chalk art. Despite the challenge of finding individuals willing to manage a social media account dedicated to reducing screen time, Lakatos remains committed to fostering low-pressure opportunities for social interaction.

For those interested in continuing the initiative, Lakatos encourages participation in organizing events like cloud watching and yoga. He emphasizes the importance of having reasons to go outside and try new experiences, inviting students to reach out via the club's Instagram account for more information.