Spring 2017

Spring Stirrings!
Spring Heat Waves
It's a funny spring; the warm air and sunshine have been trading jokes with the snow flurries. Mother Nature is snickering, I'm sure of it.  Nonetheless, we love that prankster's hijinks and all of the signs of spring are here anyway. Daffodils bloomed this weekend, our spring peepers arrived and are growing quickly, seedlings are popping right out of their trays in the greenhouse, our Easter Flower sales are underway, and planning  for all things summer happens daily . So, the trick's on you, Momma Nature, we're soaking each unpredictable gift you give with the confidence that comes with good planning.  We hope you'll join us in both celebrating the moment and planning to be a part of our many exciting things to come!


Last Chance for Paw Paws
Andrew Moore at Symposium on April 1st

If you haven't registered  yet, we are down to the wire for this Saturday's Spring Symposium where Andrew Moore will be sharing his expertise on the largest fruit native to the United States, the Paw Paw. 

Why have you never heard of a Paw Paw, why should you know more and how can you reintegrate this awesome fruit into your diet and our culture?  Andrew will be answering these questions and more on Saturday.  You can also enjoy several other professional gardening speakers, a delicious lunch, auction, vendors and so much more!



Easter Plant Sale 
Get Your Spring Dose of Fragrant Blooms

Easter is just around the corner - along with the heavenly floral fragrance that only hyacinths and other spring flowers can bring to your home!  Fill out the Spring Flower Sale Order Form by April 3rd for delivery to the Specialty Service Building on April 7th and get ready for that promise of rebirth that makes the winter worthwhile!

All proceeds benefit Adventures - thanks for your support!
Get in touch with any questions or to pay by phone - (724) 452-4453 ext.1236

Spin for Prizes! 
At the Spring Plant Sale 

Spin the wheel for a chance to win a free rose bush, discounts on Mother's Day baskets, food, t-shirts, and a ton of other prizes at the Spring Plant Sale.  As a part of our initiative to get staff and their families back on campus on Saturday, Glade Run staff and family members ALL spin for FREE!

The annual event is your one stop Mother's Day shop for all things horticultural. Bring Mom along to pick her own hanging baskets or planters (that's what I do) and plan your entire veggie, herb and flower gardens at the same time. There's plenty to keep the kids occupied too, with wagon rides, animals to pet, games and music.  Come for lunch at the Taco bar (no donkey's named Taco are involved) or have a Brittner's famous hot dog. Think spring, it will be here before you know it! Check out the event flyer!


Eagle by the Creek 
Eagle Scout Helps Get Ready for Summer Camp!

Horses..cool, eating straight from the garden harvest...neat, crafting with the sheep's wool and the chicken's feathers... different, splashing in the creek... AWESOME! If you know a kid who prefers the cardboard box to the toy, you may not be surprised to learn that one of the greatest hits of summer camp is not the most difficult to provide. Kids love simply exploring the cool, wet ecology laden creek and this summer, they are in for an even bigger treat!

Eagle Scout candidate Alex is working to give back to a place that he believes makes a difference. Alex and his dad have undertaken a creek restoration project for Glade Run as Alex's Eagle Scout project.  The plan includes creating an easily accessible path, rocks for easy stream crossing, a cleared flat area for groups to gather and a bench for relaxing creekside.    

We are super grateful to Alex and his dad for undertaking the project and super excited to share the creekside improvements during  two different two week sessions this June and August.  We love camp just as much as the kids do ~ if that's even possible. Get the details here!


Growth Transitions
Transitions Students Learn by Doing

We are a hands-on place and the  students in the  Transitions Program are learning new skills all of the time, making us a perfect pair.  Most recently, the students have helped to make centerpieces for St. Stephen's School District Appreciation Breakfast.  The flowers, which will be given to attendees, are plantable sunflower patties to keep the growth going!  

If you are interested in making your own sunflower patties, visit our pinterest page for directions. You really just mix together, shape, and allow to dry:
  • 1/4 cup Crayola air dry clay 
  • 1/4 cup Soil (sans worms and bugs)
  • 1 Tbsp. Flower Seeds 

Students will also be serving and selling their teas and other creations at the breakfast as well as at the Spring Symposium on April 1st.  You can meet up with us and staff of the Transitions Program at the St. Stephen's Open House and Transitions Fair (3/27).

Meet Erin
An Intern Split in Two (or three, or four)

Hi there! My name is Erin Eaton. I am currently a senior at Slippery Rock University working on dual majors in Recreational Therapy and Nonprofit Management, with a minor in Animal Assisted Interventions. I'm learning a lot at Glade Run, splitting my time between Adventures (experiencing  animal interventions)  and  the Foundation Office ( learning about and nonprofit  management). 

Favorite animal:  Adelaide, my  black goldendoodle who is a little over a year old.  
Favorite  favorite things to do: Reading books and traveling the world.
My biggest weakness: My sweet tooth, I LOVE brownies!

The Super Soap Guy 
Soap Donation is #goodnews!

People are awesome. The "Soap Guy" (who is an actual guy named  Jeffrey Dorrian, proprietor of thesoapguy.com) is one of these awesome people.  When looking for donated scraps of soap for our students to felt with Arlo and Ernie's wool, Carrie Moll contacted Mr. Dorrain.  

"He asked how much we needed, then said, "Never mind, I'll just send you sixty pounds",  said  Carrie Moll, Adventures Program Assistant Director.  "It's beautiful soap and now the kids can do so much with it!"

We tweeted about the beautiful soap and have been amazed how many retweets keep coming! It makes you realize that people like to share the good news too, not just tragic politics tearing people apart.  Soap brings folks together (maybe because they all smell so good) way to go Soap Guy! 

If you want to share our good news stories, follow us on the social media of your choice  Facebook Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest, Youtube, or Snapchat. You can also sign up for our blog which we try really hard to update regularly. 

Math with Micky
St. Stephen's ESY uses the Animals for Academics

If each horse gets two flakes of hay and each small animal gets one, how many bales of hay do we need during a feeding, or for the whole week?  This is a real world math problem which kids will be solving during St. Stephen's ESY (extended school year) this July.    
"I love when the teachers help students to see how school is really getting them ready for the real world", says Carey Bailey, Animal Program Specialist. "I especially love when the kids read to Marty the bunny, it's like we all fade away and it's just the child is reading a story to a baby."

St. Stephen's and Adventures are providing learning that's fun and makes sense for kids!  For more information,  click here and/or contact Brandy Dietrich (724) 452-4453 ext. 1154.