Nearly 40 Dunkirk Middle School students participated recently in the third annual Great Outdoor Adventure, an educational field experience coordinated by JCC’s North County Center and Dunkirk City Schools.

The program, sponsored through the 21st Century Community Learning Center program grant, provided visits to the New York & Lake Erie Railroad, Walking With Dinosaurs, and Grand Lady Cruises: Ecological Discovery Tour. Students’ activities at each venue were designed to enhance their understanding of natural history and science.

The Great Outdoor Adventure program is a reward provided to those students who actively participated in the many after school programs offered throughout the school year as part of the 21st Century grant.

“Working again for the third year with the DMS students was a true joy,” said Jaimee Gustafson, lead instructor for the Great Outdoor Adventure.

“JCC is proud to be a partner with Dunkirk’s 21st Century Middle School program and with the 21st Century program at the high school,” said Frank Porpiglia, director of JCC’s North County Center.

“The field trip is a special event that recognizes the hard work and good efforts put forth by these children throughout the school year,” Porpiglia noted. “It provides them with an opportunity to visit places which allow for the broadening of their educational experience.”