The Discovery Garden Story

Courtney enjoyed biking, participating in Special Olympics, and volunteering to help people in her community. She was employed at the industrial center of Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Inc. in Altoona where she had worked since graduating form Hollidaysburg Area High School in 1995. Courtney spent many hours volunteering at the Van Zandt VA Medical Center and Lilly Pond Day Care at the Easter Seal Society. Sadly, Courtney passed away on July 10, 1997.

Throughout the summer of 1997, hundreds of friends, family members and acquaintances honored Courtney's memory by making contributions to The Skills Foundation. These contributions were designated to develop Discovery Garden. Working in partnership, the Borough of Hollidaysburg, the Hollidaysburg Area Women's Club, and the Skills Foundation built the garden and dedicated it to Courtney's memory at a ceremony held September 17, 2000. The garden will continue Courtney's gift of bringing joy to people of all ages and abilities.

Courtney's mother, Karen Claton, is the project coordinator. From the outset, she envisioned the garden as the focal point for activities which bring different community groups together. Her dream is to provide a cornerstone for intergenerational programs, outdoor education about ecology, and inclusive activities for every one in Blair County.

Community Benefits of The Discovery Garden

	Provides a unique public garden where the community can relax and enjoy nature.
	Offers opportunities for community involvement for people of all ages and abilities.
	Provides school districts with an opportunity for programs in outdoor education.
	Provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate more fully in community life, and to interact with individuals without disabilities.
	Presents an opportunity to develop an adjunct horticultural rehabilitation program in Blair County whereby individuals with disabilities would acquire prevocational and vocational skills.

Community Involvement

Many groups of students, seniors and individuals in the community have been involved in Discovery Garden to date. For example, school students were involved in research projects relating to the garden; art students designed wooden appliques for the fence surrounding the garden; a high school senior designed this web site; a boy scout troop designed and built bird and bat houses for the garden, and a senior's center art class painted them. Another group of students came to the site to help haul river rock for the rock garden bridge and yet another group of students made decorative stepping stones for the walkways throughout the garden. Currently, Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Inc. is developing a collaborative horticultural rehabilitation program to provide additional opportunities for community inclusion for the individuals it serves.

A Skills Foundation Project

Discovery Garden is a project of The Skills Foundation. The foundation supports Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Inc., a private, non-profit human service organization committed to creating opportunities and providing support for individuals who need specialized services to acquire the necessary skills and experiences to participate in all aspects of personal and community life with dignity and respect. To help, please print out the sponsership form.  We are requesting your help in the following ways: