Our Orange County Day Community Opportunities Program has been finding all sorts of ways to have fun in the winter months. They had a “far out” experience at the UFO and Paranormal Museum in Pine Bush, NY. Located southwest of New Paltz, the museum allowed the group to immerse themselves in the paranormal happenings of the Hudson Valley area, exploring the museum’s UFO and Paranormal Galleries, and even taking advantage of the “Alien Abduction” photo-op station. They said they had a “blast” with the exhibit, especially getting to share the experience with their friends and staff.
They also enjoyed a gnarly and totally tubular 80’s themed post-New Year’s party. The group “just wanted to have fun” and having a “Flashdance” was just the ticket. As for the location, the Orange County DCOP site office is in the Goshen Reformed Church, and Pastor Sam was kind enough to let them use the youth center for their dance. On the day of the party, the group brought their dancing shoes and danced the day away channeling Madonna, Cindy Lauper, Michael Jackson, Hulk Hogan, and more. You can see they Pumped Up the Jam and got the party going on the dance floor.
The DCOP is a “without walls” program offered throughout the Capital/Saratoga Region (as far north as Warren County), as well as Taconic and Hudson Valley (as far south as Westchester), for adults 18 years and older. Individuals in the program participate in a wide variety of activities throughout the communities in which they live. These experiences include cultural and artistic pursuits, volunteer opportunities, recreational activities, and skill-building classes. Skill-building classes include, but are not limited to: art, computer instruction, cooking, money management, reading, travel training, and a variety of social skill-building classes.
DCOP participants develop essential and practical life skills that promote independence through volunteerism, education, and enrichment activities. The DCOP has created an environment that fosters community inclusion, self-sufficiency, and self-advocacy for its participants. The Orange County DCOP has been running since 2020.