Wind Crest Residents Enjoy Nearly 200 Clubs and Activities

Five years ago, while looking for a continuing care retirement community, Rene and Tom Bury joined the Priority List and attended the Clubs and Groups Fair at Wind Crest, the Erickson Senior Living community in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

The couple was so impressed with the wide variety of activities available, it became one of the deciding factors in their choice to move to Wind Crest.

"We saw so many things we wanted to be a part of," recalls Rene. "We learned that we could be so much more involved, doing the things we enjoy if we lived at Wind Crest. For example, before our move, I took an art class, but it was far away, and sporadic."

The couple also appreciated the friendly enthusiasm of the residents involved in the various activities. 

"There was a lot of excitement at the Fair. Everyone was so enthusiastic," she says. "Tom and I enjoyed spending time walking from club to club learning what they were all about. We got a good overview."

You want it, we've got it

Wind Crest's nearly 200 clubs and groups include book studies; arts and crafts; committees and service clubs; health support groups; performing arts and music groups; physical activities and sports; political, educational, and social clubs; spiritual and religious groups, and various card and table games. 

"It's really important that we offer a diverse portfolio of clubs and groups," says Resident Life Director Ashley Cable. "Our goal is to serve residents with different interests. By having a large variety of clubs and groups, residents are able to explore new hobbies or continue with activities they've enjoyed their entire lives."

The Table Pool club, one of the community's longest running groups, meets twice a week, providing residents an opportunity to join their neighbors for a friendly game of billiards at one of the two billiards tables on campus. 

Star gazing

The Astronomy Club, one of Wind Crest's newest clubs, meets once a month for outdoor stargazing events and trips to local observatories.

Because all the clubs and groups are created by the residents themselves, new clubs and groups are added all the time. 

"One of the most interesting parts of our clubs and groups is that they're all resident-led," says Cable. "If there's not a group already in existence and a resident has an idea for a new one, our team members are here to help them start the group, guiding through the process and even helping them advertise the club or group in an effort to attract members. We want our residents to be creative and to fill their time as they wish. That's why we encourage them to start new groups that they want."

A wealth of activities

Following their move to Wind Crest, Rene and Tom attended the Learners Group, the community's largest resident club. Meeting three times a year, the group offers classes, taught by residents, on a wide range of topics. 

Tom also started two Men's Groups, before passing away in 2022. Since then, Rene continues to involve herself in a variety of activities and groups.

"I get bored quickly," she says. "I have to be busy."

As a member of the Wind Crest Hikers group, Rene joins her neighbors for local hikes every other week Tuesday, from April through October.

"The hikes are rated easy, moderate, and difficult. I do the easy to moderate," she says.

Staying engaged

Rene is also a member of the Wind Crest Pickleball Club and recently joined the new Aqua Ducks Water Volleyball Club, which meets each Saturday morning.

"Water volleyball is so much fun! We haven't been playing for long, but we're getting better!" she says.

Rene also enjoys playing mah-jongg, joining neighbors for a monthly book club, and is an active member of the Democratic Alliance.

Rene takes classes through the Learners Group; her favorites include a history sampler and an in-depth look into The Beatles. Recently, she participated in an eight-week class on grief and resilience.

"The class was really good and very helpful," she says.

Volunteering her time and serving her community are also important to Rene, who served as cochair of the Wind Crest Silent Auction benefiting scholarships for student servers, the Staff Appreciation Fund, and the Resident Care Fund. She currently volunteers weekly at the Treasure Chest, the community's thrift shop, and serves as cochair of the spring clothing sale.

Making friends

Rene appreciates the opportunities the Wind Crest clubs and groups provide for making friends and staying active.

"We want to keep our minds and bodies active, but we also want to learn, be valuable, and contribute," Rene says.

To learn more about senior living at this vibrant community, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.