The official publication of the

New York State Outdoor Education Association

Summer 2009

The Inclusion U Story

The NYS Inclusive Recreation Resource Center at SUNY Cortland
By Laurie Penney McGee, Lynn Anderson, and Vicki Wilkins

A few years ago, a DDPC decided to allo-

member of the New cate funding toward a
York State Develop- resource center that
mental Disabilities would help individu-
Planning Council als with disabilities
(NYS DDPC) scheduled a ski vacation with find accurate and descriptive information
friends. He is an avid skier who uses a wheel- about recreation opportunities.
chair and a mono ski. After calling ahead and
being assured that a rental mono ski would be Dr. Lynn Anderson, chair of the Recreation,
available, he and his friends paid a substantial Parks and Leisure Studies Department at SUNY
deposit and traveled to the resort. Upon arri- Cortland, envisioned a university-based re-
val, he was very disappointed to learn that source center that would become the New
only mono skis for children were available, York State Inclusive Recaeation Resource Cen-
and so while his friends enjoyed the mountain, ter (NYS IRRC). Centrally located and having a
he spent his vacation in the lodge. wealth of talented faculty and student re-
sources to draw upon, SUNY Cortland aligned
This experience only highlighted a problem precisely with the DDPC's goal of creating a
that people with disabilities are all too familiar centralized recreation information gathering
with: many recreation sites and facilities often resource. Dr. Anderson's proposal was
advertise that they are accessible and fully ac- awarded a three-year grant, and in January
commodating, when in fact, many physical 2007, the NYS IRRC was founded.
and social barriers exist. As a result, the NYS (continued on page 7)

Get your organization listed on www.NYSOEA.org

* Free advertising * Get more traffic to your website
One of many benefits as a NYSOEA affiliate member!
Send the following to Jonathan Duda
([email protected]):
• Affiliate organization’s name
• An image of your logo
• Your website address
 New York State Outdoor Education Association Page 2

Executive Board

President
MaryLynne Malone

VP Administration
Maritza Cuevas The new NYSOEA social network
* DISCUSSION FORUM
VP Program
Tim Stanley * BLOG
* POST YOUR EVENTS
VP Communication
Jonathan Duda
* PHOTO GALLERY
* SHARE VIDEOS
VP Human Resources
Vacant

Secretary
Meaghan Boice-Green

Treasurer
Elizabeth Van Acker
pathways
Pathways (ISSN 1077-5100) is Materials Submissions
Office
published four times a year by the
Darleen Lieber New York State Outdoor Education
Anyone interested in contributing
to pathways is encouraged to
Association and is mailed to
Regional Directors submit material via email to:
NYSOEA members. Opinions
Rebecca Houser - Eastern expressed by contributors are theirs [email protected]
Jeff Gottlieb - Metro solely and not necessarily those of or
Kristen Rosenburg - Western the Editorial Board of pathways or The Ashokan Center
Christina DeCesare - Central of NYSOEA. Advertisements c/o Jonathan Duda
Gary “Griz” Caudle - Northern included in pathways should not be 477 Beaverkill Road
interpreted as endorsement of the Olivebridge, NY 12461
2009 Conference product(s) by NYSOEA.
Committee Chairs Materials should be typed. Please
Advertising in pathways include a short biographical section
Rebecca Houser
pathways welcomes advertisements about the author of the article.
Susan Hereth
which will be of interest to the References cited in the article
membership of NYSOEA. If you should be listed at the end of the
Office Services have a product, service, equipment, article, APA style. Deadlines are:
NYSOEA resource, program, etc. that you
c/o Department of Recreation,
Mar. 10, Jun. 10, Sep. 10, Dec. 10
would like to share with our
Parks & Leisure Studies
P.O. Box 2000 SUNY Cortland membership via an advertisement,
Cortland, New York please contact: Editor: Jonathan Duda
13045-0900 Jonathan Duda at: (845)657-8333 Assistant Editor: Frank Knight
[email protected]
 Page 3
pathways

From the President

It amazes me that it’s summer already! Kids are heading off to camp, the
smell of wood fires, bug spray, and sunscreen are in the air, the fireflies at
night, and the humming birds throughout the day.

If you are like me, summer means less, not more time for relaxation. It’s
even more important for me to sneak out in the morning with my cup of
coffee to watch the humming birds at the feeder or the fog rise off the
lake. During these quiet times of reflection, take a moment to think about
those members of NYSOEA that have done something award worthy. Fill
out a nomination form, and get it to the awards committee. We are also
seeking nominations for board positions. If you feel that you would make
a valuable addition to the NYSOEA board, send in your nomination to get
on the ballot. If you are more of a social or organized being, the all im-
portant position of conference chairs for 2011 and 2012 are up for grabs.

I am very pleased with our ongoing projects and encourage you all to
write an article for pathways, contribute on our social networking site,
visit our website often, share affiliate events for the events listings, attend
a roundtable regarding environmental literacy, register for the conference
and bring a friend, and volunteer to help with the 2010 conference in Buf-
falo. We will be conducting the Teacher Ecology Workshop in a couple of
weeks, and the board will be conducting our annual retreat in July. If you
have anything you would like to share, please do not hesitate to contact
me at [email protected].

-MaryLynne Malone
 New York State Outdoor Education Association Page 4

It was a typical late January weekend: a Saturday ski trip followed by a day of teaching CPR to my
student guide staff. The usual ups & downs that accompany both were completed without any prob-
lems. Or so I thought until I woke up Monday morning.
I’ve been through this enough to know that my knee wasn’t working properly when I tried getting
out of bed that morning. If the Yale company makes a key to unlock joints, it wasn’t one that I pos-
sessed. My right knee looked as if a large grapefruit had planted itself overnight. The ability to bend the
knee was non-existent. It was time to see the doc; again.
A total knee replacement later, followed by four days of convalescence in the hospital and my
world had shrunk to a small segment of Red Hill. A window view was all I would see over the next
month or so during my in-home rehabilitation. I was fortunate; my window on the world allowed me
an ever-changing view. Even though I was flat on my back, some judicious gazing allowed me two or
three sightlines to the outside world. This was all I needed to watch the season unfold.
On one of the first days, I was reminded of the many shades of natural light that exist in upstate
New York. Our weather pattern at the time included numerous cold fronts passing through. Most days
were a blending of strong, localized storms followed by incredible sunshine, blue sky, looming clouds
and blowing winds. As each partner in this natural dance waxed and waned, the emerging shades of
green were illuminated, backlit, or in full shadow. At any particular moment the landscape would be a
golden sunlit green or a deep forest hue. No two days were the same as front after front passed
through the region, and it was a magnificent show; right outside my window.
As the weeks moved on, many of our local birds arrived from their winter refuges or transformed
back into their springtime plumage. A quick shot of orange let me know that a Baltimore oriole had
returned. Flitting amongst the maples on the front lawn, this colorful bird gave me a focal point on
which to concentrate. Another day a glittering yellow caught my eye when a male Goldfinch alighted
on the miniature spruce that borders our front deck. The prominent colors displayed by both of these
creatures brightened my day, making the boredom of rehab fade into the background.
So is there a moral to my story? I’d like to think there is, and it’s a simple one. Every one of us can
stay connected to the natural world if we’d just look out our windows. Regardless of where we live,
nature surrounds us. Stay in touch with it and you will be richly rewarded with the sights, sounds, and
magic of the seasons.

Until next time, may all your rambles lead you to new and exciting places.

- Snapper Petta
[email protected]
 Page 5
pathways
Important conference dates to remember
July 31st - End of early-bird registration...take advantage of the savings!

July 31st - Teacher Scholarship deadline

August 24th - prices of rooms at the Holiday Inn Fishkill go up...remember right now you can
get a room for 1-4 people for $90!

September 1st - end of conference registration!!

** Due to the hotel catering policy, we must pay for meals in advance. **
Please remember...conference meals will not be available for purchase at the hotel.

September 1st - pre-registration and payment deadline for the Thursday evening (9/24 - $45,
wine and cheese sail) and Friday afternoon (9/25, $30) Hudson River Sloop Clearwater sails

September 15th - deadline for registering for the wonderful Thursday workshops and fieldtrip
offerings.
 New York State Outdoor Education Association Page 6

Beyond Field Trips: Teaching the Hudson Valley in Tough Times

July 28-30
Henry A. Wallace Education Center
FDR Home & Presidential Library, Hyde Park

Meet K-12 teachers, scientists, curators, environmentalists, museum staff, authors, historians, librarians,
and others interested in the Hudson Valley’s culture, history, and nature.

Choose interdisciplinary sessions including hands-on workshops, book signings, panel discussions, and
field trips as well as presentations that are more formal.

Visit one of eight “inquiry sites.” See how curators and site educators plan exhibits, programs, and pres-
entations, and then share your perspective.

Take away ideas for your class or site, new ways to use Valley places for learning, inquiry teaching
strategies, professional development hours, and priority for THV Explore Awards.

- Advance registration required

For details about workshops, inquiry sites, registration forms, and more . . .

www.TeachingtheHudsonValley.org | [email protected] | 845-229-9116, ext. 35

Teaching the Hudson Valley is a program of Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and Greenway
Conservancy | Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, National Park Service | Hudson River Estu-
ary Program, New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation | Hudson River Valley Institute at
Marist College. Beyond Field Trips is a Quadricentennial event.

Presenters and facilitators from . . .

Albany Institute of History & Art Historical societies

Area schools & environmental groups Hudson River Estuary Program, NYS DEC
Bard College M.A. in Teaching Program National & state historic sites
Center for Informal Learning & Schools SE NY Library Resource Council
Cornell University . . . and more
FDR Home & Presidential Library
 New York State Outdoor Education Association Page 7

(Continuted from page 1)

The mission of the NYS IRRC is to help promote opportunities for people of all abilities to play and rec-
reate wherever they choose. This is accomplished in many ways, including educating recreation and tourism
professionals about how to provide inclusive services. Inclusivity training is key to the development of rec-
reation resources that are truly inclusive. To reach this vision, ten modules have been created to assist practi-
tioners acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide inclusive recreation services. This
training, Inclusion U, encompasses a broad spectrum of learning outcomes for professionals at all levels to
not only understand the concept of inclusion, but to implement strategies, policies, and procedures for its
success. After completing this training, participants become Certified Inclusivity Assessors and are then able
to assess recreation programs, sites, and facilities. To date, nearly 600 people have attended Inclusion U and
have made significant changes at their own sites to become more inclusive.

Once individuals become Certified Inclusivity Assessors, they are asked to conduct two assessments
within six months of training. Many choose to assess their own facilities. Recreation sites include parks and
playgrounds, nature centers, community centers, campgrounds, libraries, museums, fishing access areas,
bowling alleys, boat launch sites, archery ranges, and many others. The Inclusivity Assessment includes a
physical assessment of areas such as parking lots, restrooms, registration areas and recreation amenities, as
well as an interview with an administrator about best practices, policies, and procedures. As a result, recrea-
tion providers learn many ways they can make changes, both physical and programmatic, to create a more
welcoming environment for people of all abilities. The assessment information is then submitted to the NYS
IRRC for entry into an on-line database that will be available in September. The Inclusivity Assessments pro-
vide a wealth of accurate and descriptive information about recreation sites so that people with disabilities,
their family members, and providers can better plan their recreation.

Inclusion U will be offered on September 24, 2009, as a free pre-conference institute of

the NYSOEA conference. For other upcoming dates, see the announcement in this Pathways
issue or on the NYSIRRC website: www.cortland.edu/nysirrc.
 New York State Outdoor Education Association
Established in 1968, the New York State Outdoor Education Association is the leading
professional group supporting outdoor education, environmental education, and inter-
pretive services in New York State. Our membership includes classroom teachers, envi-
ronmental educators, college professors, naturalists, interpreters, youth leaders, adminis-
trators, students, parents, and others interested in the outdoors.

Our Goals

• We promote public awareness of the value of outdoor and envi-

ronmental education and interpretation.
OUR MISSION • We foster a lifelong appreciation and sense of stewardship for
NYSOEA is a professional organization the environment.
that promotes interdisciplinary life- • We help classroom teachers and youth leaders use the outdoors
long learning in, for, and about the to enrich their curricula and programs.
outdoors • We assist our members in expanding their knowledge and skills
in using the environment for responsible educational purposes.
• We act as a unified voice supporting the fields of environmental
education, outdoor education, interpretation, and outdoor rec-
reation

New York State Outdoor Education Association Non-Profit

c/o Department of Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies
P.O. Box 2000 U.S. POSTAGE
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, New York 13045
P A I D
Cortland, NY
Permit No. 14