Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center
Our Mission is to provide quality learning experiences that promote growth
and nourish the development of individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
Description:
Our ultimate goal in working with groups is to help participants grow, discovering the dynamics, relationships and even frustrations that result when people are brought together. Through an experiential approach to learning and a de-emphasis on competition, we encourage our participants in activities that help them to realize and build skills necessary for success in life. Some of these skills include: communication, teamwork, healthy risk-taking, postitive self-esteem, leadership, problem solving and transferense. One of the greatest benefits participants can receive from their experience here is a better understanding and awareness of self and each other as valuable members of a group. To accomplish this result, individuals are given the chance to examine their own (as well as the group's) strengths, weaknesses, tendencies, values, expectations, anxieties, etc. Opportunities for growth arrise from teambuilding and trust activities, the many low and high elements that make up our challenge course, and even the natural surroundings the farm and forests offer.
Genesee Valley offers our clients a number of innovative and unique programs. In addition to day group programming on the property, we also offer off-site programming, summer camp, an environmental and agricultural program, birthday parties and off-site expeditions (rock climbing, canoeing, etc). Though each program is different, many of the same philosophies and ideas carry throughout: learn and grow through experience, trust and self-discovery.
History:
In 1963, at Friends School of Baltimore – a private, college-prep, co-ed school for students from Pre-K though 12th grade, located 25 miles south of GV - initiatives and ropes-course activities were first used to enhance the curriculum of the Physical Education Department, and were used soon after by the entire school. In the mid 1960’s, Jim Curtis started bringing Friends School Football teams to Genesee Valley for a slightly different kind of training method involving “obstacles” in the woods.
The success of the “ropes course” spread throughout Friends and eventually grew to the point that Tom LaMonica and David Pines incorporated Genesee Valley in the spring of 1981 as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. From 1981 to 1987 Genesee Valley grew slowly but steadily and saw lots of dedicated, hardworking and self-directed people like Craig Dobkin, Rita Yerkes and Paul Stephenson. During this period Genesee Valley was small and family oriented. For example, dinners were held at Tom’s house. By 1987, the program began growing quickly, from 7,000 participants a year and 5 staff members to over 20,000 participants and 28 staff members in 1993. The growing popularity of Genesee Valley has spread throughout the region mostly by word of mouth and a limited approach to marketing.
Genesee Valley is nationally recognized as one of the largest challenge courses in the US. We believe it is our continued attention to detail and dedication to the experiential learning process that keep our clients coming back year after year.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (410) 343-1451
Address:
Web Site: http://www.geneseevalley.org
Directions:
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From Baltimore:
I-83 North to Exit 31.
Left on Middletown Road, 2 Miles to
Citgo Gas Station (Wally's)
Left onto Rayville Road. 1/4 mile to
1717 Rayville Road
Parkton, MD 21120
From Pennsylvania:
Take I-83 South to Exit 31 - Middletown Road.
Make a Right (West) onto Middletown. . . (more) |
Miscellaneous Information
| Governmental Agency? |
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No
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| Last updated on June 23, 2009 |
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