The following article was written by Jeanne Brown who visited ALASA Academy for two days in July 2006. It represents her impressions of ALASA Academy and the Sodus Bay, NY area in which it is located.  Jeanne lives near Tampa, Florida.

 IMPRESSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS OF ALASA ACADEMY

The seemingly endless countryside of rolling hills and quiet winding roads reveal a diverse natural environment that reminds you of one’s own childhood.  Deer graze openly in expansive green fields. Colorful birds flit and fly all around catching insects for their young safely hidden away in the brush.  While stopping and listening, one can hear the gentle rush of breezes through the treetops and fields of tall grasses accompanied by chirps of songbirds like Goldfinches, Bluebirds and Red-Winged Blackbirds.  From this setting, Lake Ontario can be seen below the treetops a few miles away.  This idyllic location brings out a childlike wonderment in any visitor who has endured the boundaries of city life too long.  Even at night, when every star imaginable looks brightly upon the earth, the wonderment endures.  Fireflies fill the night air like moving lanterns beckoning one to follow and try to catch them.  Gazing patiently, one can catch a shooting star or an occasional satellite slowly traipsing by in its dutiful straight line.  This place is mesmerizing to the city dweller seeking solace from a busy life.  It is a place for one to learn and grow. 

Nestled in the beautiful hills of Alton, NY is the home of a unique classroom environment called ALASA Academy at Alasa Farms.  The academy invites kids from all walks of life to socialize with others that are as unique as they are and share their unique talents with others.  Planned classroom environments and activities allow children to work with animals in cooperation with Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven.  Students are given the opportunity to share in the feeding and care of horses, rabbits, guinea pigs and a myriad of other friendly creatures along with regular academic reviews.  Classes are scheduled daily for similar age groups to explore each child’s personal, social and creative skills.  Each child is recognized as an individual, and they are encouraged to interact with others in a positive way.  With supervision and care, staff members and volunteers encourage good behavior and support within groups of their peers.  Opportunity abounds for any child that enjoys animals and a natural outdoor setting.  Personal recognition, attention and encouragement abound here in order for the children to fully enjoy their experiences and take home great memories.  Everyone here is deserving of affection and opportunity.   Being able to feed an ex-racehorse carrots, or tend to baby guinea pigs and rabbits has a soothing affect.  One can’t help feeling loved while holding a velvety-soft, lop-eared rabbit in your arms or getting a needed hug from a favorite teacher.  The biggest part of every day is often involving feeding the many goats, their Belgian horse named Lucy, or Stormy the retired racehorse.  Even an 800lb. pig named Pete deserves a child’s touch as is rests in it’s stall.

That is what ALASA Academy and Alasa farms is about.  Being outdoors with nature, tending to the animals, picking flowers, reading a book while sitting on the grass, chasing butterflies, and of course, climbing trees with new friends are only some of the rewards found here.  Everyone here finds opportunities to learn and grow. This nurturing environment in upstate New York provides just that for all who visit here.  It is both an oasis, and a refuge.

You Should Also Check Out This Post:

More Active Posts: