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"Discovery Quests" at Museum of Hudson Highlands - Grand Opening
The Museum of the Hudson Highlands is proud to introduce a new public education program called "Discovery Quests." Utilizing the recently upgraded trail system at Kenridge Farm the Quests offer a unique way to learn about nature. The Quests officially open to the public on Saturday, June 16 at the Museum's Kenridge Farm location on Route 9W, Cornwall.
The Discovery Quests will help people of all ages hit the trails together in a fun, creative way that will activate the senses, stretch the mind and promote a healthy walk through a variety of outdoor habitats. Through the use of inquiry-based, interpretive walks hikers can learn, interact with nature and follow clues at learning stations along four different trails.
One hiker who participated in a prototype Quest said, "I am drawn to the outdoors for its beauty and inspiration, but even more important is the experience of walking in the woods with my children, family and friends, sharing, discovering new things and talking along the way. The Quests will help us enhance our outdoor adventures. We are very fortunate to live in such a scenic valley with the river and mountains so accessible."
With 177 acres of diverse landscape ranging from open fields to wetlands to forested slopes, Kenridge Farm has been a popular hiking spot for those "in the know" for several years. However, to better serve the Museum's mission to 'create responsible caretakers' of our air, land, water and wildlife resources, Museum Trustees felt the trails should do more than just "be there" and began planning the Quest project in 2003. With the help of grants for interpretive planning and trail development, today's Discovery Quests provide hikers of all ages a fun and educational way to explore the beauty and diversity of the sights, sounds, smells and experiences that nature has to offer. The Museum's Executive Director, Jacqueline Grant says, "The Discovery Quests are an answer to those who say 'people don't get out into nature anymore.' We're excited to provide this unique outdoor experience designed for people of all ages to enjoy together."
Visitors to the Saturday, June 16, Grand Opening at 10am, will be the first to 'officially' hike the trails - choosing from one of four Quests: the Pond Quest, the Field Quest, the Woodland Quest or the Hiking Quest. The adventure begins when visitors purchase a Quest Guidebook at the new Visitors Center. Using a Quest Guidebook with illustrations, riddle poems and field notes describing each topic at the learning stations, hikers will challenge their senses while thinking about nature as they talk and interact with each other. The goal of each Quest is to find the "hidden message" of each hike. However, the opportunity to interact with nature and fellow hikers may provide the greatest satisfaction of the Quest adventure..
Descriptions of the Quests are as follows:
* Pond Quest is a short trail within view of the visitors' center that meanders past ponds and cattails with stops at viewing platforms that over look the wetlands. * Field Quest leads through the Museum's farm fields and loops back through an open woodland. An easy hike on mostly flat terrain. * Woodland Quest is an intriguing path of tree identification and animal habitats of the tree canopy and forest floor. A moderate trail with a few short hilly sections. * Hiking Quest leads past geologic features and different signs of former human activity. A moderately challenging trail, perfect for hiking boots!
The Pond, Field and Woodland Quests take about 30 to 45 minutes and the Hiking Quest takes from one to two hours. Each terrain varies in difficulty ranging from a flat stretch easy enough for wheelchairs and baby strollers, to the more challenging climbs of the forested slopes.
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