The two Get Linked social skills and recreational groups ventured out to Ramirez Canyon Park. The park is located in a canyon off the Malibu coastline and bordered by a National Park Service wilderness area. The property was donated by Barbara Streisand to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The goal of the Educational Outreach Program and the non-profit Happy Trails is to give children and young adults with disabilities a high quality, interactive educational experience with animals in a fun, safe environment.

Jan Wolterstorff, the Outreach Coordinator, divided the children into two small groups and they rotated between an environmental station, animal station, and craft activity. The environmental station taught the children about animals that inhabit the Santa Monica Mountains and the children made animal footprints from plaster molds. The Happy Trails organization provided animals that the children were able to groom, walk, and pet. The children groomed miniature horses, led a goat and a sheep, and held and petted many rabbits. Afterward, the groups walked a short distance and ate their lunch at picnic tables in a sycamore grove.

The community outings, which are part of Therapy In Action’s Get Linked Social Skills Groups curriculum, are essential for the children to practice their skills and concepts in natural settings. This outing was successful for the children, parents, and group leaders. Katrina Keiser, OTR/L

Get Linked Group experienced a Halloween haunted house like they’ve never seen before!