Franklin County
Therapeutic Riding Center
Sensory Trail
in Chambersburg, PA
July 24, 2010
On one of the hottest days on record, the Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center (FCTRC) with the assistance of volunteers from the Chambersburg Rotary Club embarked on a goal to expand its program with the addition of a sensory trail. A sensory trail is a rich learning environment along a path that consists of slopes, turns, varied footing, natural sights and sounds, and man-made "sensory experiences". Therapeutic riding students will guide their horses along the sensory trail to challenge their balance, stimulate their senses and encourage them to interact with the world around them.
Initiation of the Therapeutic Sensory Trail made possible by Funding from Summit Endowment. Come with us now and watch the progress as the Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center Sensory Trail takes shape!
Twas' the night before work, the truck is loaded with beach sand and music station posts
6AM 85 degrees let's roll!
7:45 AM Leslie and Bob discussing the plan of attack as members of Chambersburg Rotary arrive at the Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center located in Chambersburg PA with tools and cold drinks.
Greetings!
Here's what we are gonna do!
Herb Station vision
Bridgette and Susie watch from a distance as Ann and Connie start the Herb Station. The Herb Station was designed to incorporate the sense of touch, smell and taste into the therapeutic riding experience.
Cutting, digging, pick-axing and clearing.
No bosses, just workers!
Is this fun or what!
Rewards of a hard days work. Fresh horse manure, compost and dirt is next, then the planting of herbs donated by Plasterers Garden Center for the Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center Sensory Trail herb station.
Site of the Music Station.
The students will ride to the Music Station where they will have the opportunity to make beautiful music by striking a triangle, shaking bells on a stick, hitting the wind chimes, or ringing the bell.
Holes are dug, poles placed...
Hanging posts were built by Jed Detrich of Falling Spring Wood Shop in Chambersburg PA. "Thank-you Jed!"
The trail coming up the hill to the music station has been mulched.
Rubber interlocking pavers were donated by Innovative Equine Systems of Minden, Nevada! Thank you! www.equinesystems.com
As you can imagine, everyone wants to ring the bell! Also visible on the stations are the hand bells, drum, gong.
Boardwalk to the Beach vision -
Many of the local students have never been to a beach. The Boardwalk to the Beach will remedy this! Here we will give them the opportunity to ride the horse over a boardwalk and note the sound and tone of the hoofs changing from earth trail, to boardwalk and then again to beach soft sound. Eventually there will be a lighthouse and beach sea creatures to further enhance this experience.
A plan takes shape
I got sand in my shoes!
Oopsie! Watch out below!
Watch out for my thumb!
Look at that! Franklin County Therapeutic
Riding Center Sensory Trail boardwalk to the beach!
As if by magic, lunch appeared and was provided by the Orchards Restaurant in Chambersburg PA. "Thank you!"
Future plans being made for for a Rotary project next spring. Green thumb volunteers are always welcome as you may notice!
This is where parents are able to watch the students during lessons at Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center or refreshments afterwards. Note the wheelchair access of the picnic tables.
Fall/winter 2010
Moving right along, late fall brought the addition of the run in shed that will be converted to a Rain Forest Cafe with vibrant visuals of animals and scenes of a tropical rain forest.
It looks plain-Jane now, but wait until you see the finished product!
Here the ladies discuss the vision to create the Rain Forest Cafe.
The 'other' four legged kids do not realize it is not all fun and games. We're here to work!
These are artists that volunteered their time and talent after learning about the goals. The reptiles are from Haiti for inspiration. Who has better vibrant colors!
Spring/Summer 2011
Our next big addition was a ten foot lighthouse! This is overlooking the boardwalk to the beach. The students riding up the hill will see it and we anticipate their eyes anxious for the next station! As they approach the boardwalk and ride to the beach, each will now be able to say they have been to a beach and seen a lighthouse!
As the students ride up over the ridge, this is their first glimpse of the boardwalk to the beach.
Blue tarps give the illusion of water. The boardwalk, sand, lighthouse, and other beach decor further enhances the beach experience.
The animals were painted by a group of volunteer artists over the winter in the craft room at Northfield of Menno Haven.
The animals were the talk of the residents all winter and were displayed during the week of Mother's Day in the lobby at Northfield.
Here the base coats of pain are applied by volunteers from Chambersburg Hospital.
This is the finished Rain Forest Cafe with all the animals moved in!
As you can imagine, the students are wowed! Everyone's senses are stimulated by the bright vibrant colors and animals that seem real.
The Railroad Crossing has begun
The Herb Garden
The Herb Garden has become one of the favorite stops on the Sensory Trail. The variation in texture, taste and smell of the herbs have proven to be quite stimulating to the students.
Enchanted Forest
A path was cut through the woods, ground cover laid down, and then covered in a thick blanket of mulch.
Next phase of the Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center Sensory Trail will be the Enchanted Forest, Rain Forest Cafe and the Railroad Crossing. With hopes of the entire trail being mulched.
For donations, sponsorship and volunteers, please visit the FCTRC website at www.horseridingtherapy.org and specify your donation is for the Sensory Trail.
If your church, group or organization would like a picture for your website, feel free to copy from here. If you would like a high resolution image for publication, drop us an email and it will be sent to you or burned to a disc for you.
Chambersburg Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center is located -
181 Franklin Farm Lane
Chambersburg, PA 17202
Tel: 717.263.0443
Fax: 717.263.9228
Franklin County Therapeutic Riding Center
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