Special needs individuals share outdoor adventure

Tuesday was an adventurous day outdoors for more than 70 individuals with special needs visiting the St. James Farm Forest Preserve near Warrenville.

The children and young adults from throughout the area participated in archery, boating, fishing and other activities with the help of DuPage County Forest Preserve District rangers, staff members and volunteers.

Forest preserve officials said the biannual event - dubbed Special Needs Adventure Day - is done to "instill a love of the outdoors in individuals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy many outdoor activities."

"We're always working to connect people with nature, and today's no different," said Jay Johnson, a manager of site operations for the district.

Some of the activities the participants got to enjoy included Maggie the milking cow, wagon tours of the farm and tours of the St. James Farm caboose.

"We want to have it a positive experience so they come back and enjoy forest preserves again in the future," Johnson said.

Officials said several groups attended, including the School Association for Special Education, South East Association for Special Parks And Recreation, Philip Rock Center, West Suburban Special Recreation Association, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association and Ray Graham Association.

Special Needs Adventure Day started in 2004 with rangers bringing activity stations to area schools to share the outdoors with students with special needs. In 2008, the event was moved to Herrick Lake, where boating was added to the array of activities, officials said. It's now offered one day in the spring and one day in the summer.