Our Story
In April 2022, in honor of Earth Day, students Remy Oktay and Kristen Steudel set up swings at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. The project, named "Why Only Remember the Feeling: Trees Swing," introduced 12 wooden swings across the campus.
The installation made its debut on April 8 and has since invited members of the Lafayette and Easton communities to embrace the refreshing outdoor atmosphere, recharge their spirits, appreciate the beauty of nature, and find inspiration to become environmental champions.
From students, faculty, and staff, to Easton community members and alumni, the swings quickly became a campus favorite.
We surveyed 800 members at Lafayette College. We found far-reaching benefits of swings on a college campus.
94%
Felt happier after swinging
82%
Enjoyed the outdoors more
70%
Felt less stressed
56%
Felt more connected to friends
62%
Felt happier from seeing others swing
30%
Considered the swings when they chose to attend Lafayette
We are launching BranchOut Swings to bring our unique designs that blend durability and a nostalgic aesthetic to college campuses nationwide. We aim to bring play back to spaces where the swings can challenge notions around what it means to be an adult, and how we connect with the natural world.
“We want people to hopefully see new value in the outdoors and come to love it in new ways. We hope that the fact that this was a community project now has helped students feel a sense of ownership and respect both for the swings and the trees that support them. We protect what we love and feel a connection to, and we hoped when planning this work that this would help students feel a new desire to protect the trees on College Hill and beyond.” - Remy Oktay, Founder