Youth Leadership Academy builds sensory trail at Winslow Center

WARWICK — Members of the Orange County Summer 2013 Leadership Academy celebrated the grand opening of a new sensory trail at Winslow Therapeutic Center on Friday, Aug. 2.

This year’s Youth Leadership Academy was hosted by Winslow, a 100 acre not for profit Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding Center just off Route 17A between Bellvale and Mount Peter.

The center is devoted to the special needs population of Orange and surrounding counties and has been offering unique and often life-changing horseback riding experiences to children and adults in this community since 1974.

Month-long project
Winslow’s Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) teens designed, financed and constructed the new sensory trail as a culmination of a month long leadership program.

A sensory trail is a learning environment of wooded trails that incorporates activity stations in which the rider uses all their senses to interact with the trail and the world around them. The trail will be a work in progress with future groups.

YLA is a fully funded program by Youth Bureau of Orange County. According to Site Director Pam Heatley and Team Leader Shannon Wortman, this year’s YLA inspired leadership, creativity and teamwork by focusing on building healthy relationships.

While at Winslow the teens participated in team building games and challenges, collaboration exercises and execution of a mutual goal through group challenges. They also learned about fund raising for a cause and project management. And, while at Winslow, they had an opportunity to tour nearby Bellvale Farms to learn about agriculture and business.

Training
The group also rode twice a week experiencing the benefits of therapeutic riding and for fun went bowling and also took a trip to the Castle Fun Center in Chester.

Participants were also trained as volunteers, learning to groom and tack a horse and to also lead and sidewalk a horse during lessons with riders who need the support of volunteers.

“At Winslow,” said Executive Director Sue Ferro, “we believe that all people improve their physical, cognitive, social and emotional well being by learning to ride in a therapeutic environment.”

For information call 986-6686 or visit: www.winslow.org.