As Promised

by Maria Corse
 
I have great faith in the Universe.  I believe, wholeheartedly, that the seemingly random and serendipitous occurrences that make up our lives are in fact the result of a higher power – whoever(s) or whatever that may be – providing us the opportunities to make the choices that will determine our life journey.  In my case, the Universe, quite literally, throws amazingly talented, interesting, and generous people who are seeking an opportunity to share their passions and know-how directly into my path.
 
Serendipity is such an immense piece of my personal belief system that when thinking about today’s blog, I discovered that I had already written a piece about it last April, and, more than a year later, this still holds true.
 
Serendipity is simply one of my all-time favorite words, because it means that good and favorable events can happen, with no previous notice or announcement, at any time; new people will enter my life to share their talents, resources, and pure awesomeness, and, I can offer the same for others. It encompasses all that I hold dear: simplicity, kindness, magic, and wonder.
 
A few months ago, Trish called the Center.  She told me that she had picked up one of our rack (informational) cards at the Potsdam Food Co-op and was very interested in learning how she could help us.  I invited her to come in to visit the very next day.  After that initial meeting, which included several hours of intense, forthright, and authentic conversation, Trish decided that she would like to volunteer regularly. I can safely say, in my perspective, from that first meeting on, we immediately understood each other on a profoundly intuitive level.  
 
Over the next few weeks, Trish came in every Wednesday and stayed for the entire day.  She mainly spent time with the Seedlings, often in a “tent” or “clubhouse” under one of the tables completely immersed in one of their imaginary games, all the while comfortably conversing about any of the ideas or topics the kids brought up – from the wonders of birds to complex social issues.
 
As our first meeting foretold, she and I also had marathon conversations that centered on our mutual belief that all children are natural learners and we (adults and educators) can, absolutely, trust them to be in charge of their own education. 
 
A few weeks ago, during one of those chats, Trish mentioned that she has always had the dream of opening a facility where kids can immerse themselves in the wonders and beauty of nature. At the end of the day, I simply said, let’s do it.
 







These last few weeks have been a whirlwind of thinking about how to proceed and outlining our next steps. I am particularly excited about this project, which will be an, as yet to be named, program of DRC, because it adds an additional layer of possibilities to our already dynamic, self-directed educational environment. 
 
A lover of wild untamed weather and places, Trish not only brings an inherent affinity for the natural world, she also has extensive, professional experience working in the mental health community.  She has seen the direct and disturbing effects of what is now being called, Nature Deficit Disorder – the disconnection between people and their natural environment -  in many of the children and adults she has interacted with, over the years.  She is anxious to counter-act that growing phenomenon by providing children the opportunity to experience the wildness of the earth.   
 
Over the next month, Trish and I will be working hard to develop this innovative program.  As we bring the specifics into clearer focus, we will share it with you through this blog, and, of course, social media - check the DRC Facebook page for regular updates.
 
She and I will also be meeting with folks and organizations in the community who would be eager to collaborate with DRC and/or fund this effort.
 
If you know of folks who would be excited about investing time, energy, resources, and/or funds to this program, or, for that matter, in any of our work, please get in touch with us and pass this on.

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DRC NEWS
 
Dairy Princess Parade
 
The DRC float won 3rd place for creativity and colorfulness.  I am so proud of all of our kids who worked hard to design, paint, and assemble the float.
 
Summer Intern
 
Margar will be at the Center all summer beginning this Monday.  He has been given the huge task of creating a data base and organizing the huge assortment of digital data that has been created and has accumulated over the past three years. 
 
Summer Program
 
We are your child’s safe, entertaining, and creative space for the last three weeks of August.  Register on line.
 
Membership
 
We are taking membership applications through the summer.  Please get in touch today, if your child is looking for a change.

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