July 7, 2008

Five high school students from the Santa Clara County Office of Education post-senior program recently completed the first Equine Journey Wilderness Program.  Meeting for weekly two-hour sessions from March – June 2008, these five young men worked with DreamPower staff and volunteers to explore the “Cowboy Poetry” character development curriculum and learn horsemanship skills.  Under the enthusiastic leadership of Garry Stauber and Melissa Abbey, the program included two three-day camping trips in the backcountry of Henry Coe State Park.  The Gilroy Dispatch published a feature story on the Journey.

 The clients chosen to participate in the pilot program were young men ages 19-21 who receive special education services and are living with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, cognitive impairments or developmental delays.  The grand finale of the program was a three-day camping trip that included horseback trail riding, camping in the wilderness and learning how to fish.

Many thanks to the South County Country Dancers, who provided significant funding for this program, and all the volunteers who made this amazing program such a success.