ROCHESTER, NY—Visitors to the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) Cumming Nature Center (CNC) will enjoy an approximately 1.5-mile hike called “Hiking for Inclusion,” led by students with developmental disabilities in the D.R.I.V.E. (diversity, responsibility, inclusion, vision and experiential learning) program. The hike takes place on Saturday, July 23 from 10am to 12pm.
The hike will begin in the iconic red pine stand, snake down through a shady hemlock wood, weave along a wetland edge and lead to the 39-acre beaver pond. Along the route, hikers will have the opportunity to see narrative displays created by students in the D.R.I.V.E. program. These personal stories reflect the benefits of inclusion within special education while offering thoughtful awareness for participants. D.R.I.V.E. students will discuss their experiences and engage with hikers along the trail.
For the hike, a suggested donation of $7 pre-registration and $10 at the door is requested. For families, it is $20 pre-registration and $25 at the door. Registration includes the hike, a free T-shirt and access to CNC for the day. To register, visit www.rmsc.org and click on “Cumming Nature Center.”
D.R.I.V.E., run by the ARC of Yates and Keuka College, is a highly individualized education program for those with developmental disabilities to continue their education after high school in a collegiate environment. The program focuses on creating a unique and age-appropriate educational experience that nurtures students’ social and academic growth. Students are given access to a multitude of experiential learning opportunities through service, work-study, mentoring and internships.
CNC also hosted D.R.I.V.E. students in the winter, providing them opportunities for volunteer work.
CNC is a dynamic environmental education facility that celebrates the unique landscape and culture of the Finger Lakes region through experiential learning opportunities and thoughtful exhibits. Educational programming at the CNC explores the complex relationship between humans and the natural world. These programs are designed to inspire innovative thinking among participants and provide them with the tools, knowledge and confidence to take action in the face of local, regional and global challenges. The preserve includes six miles of trails and countless opportunities to connect with the outdoors. CNC is located at 6472 Gulick Road, Naples, NY 14512.
For high-resolution images and additional information, contact Amanda Bayer, Marketing Communications Manager, RMSC at 585.697.1962 or amanda_bayer@rmsc.org.
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top three most visited attractions serving children and families. For more information about RMSC, visit www.rmsc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
