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GFS Adventures

A group of people wearing life jackets are seated on a boat, with the skyline of a city visible in the background.
A group of people riding on colorful inflatable tubes down a snowy slope, with various other tubes and winter gear visible in the background.
A young child wearing a black jacket with a colorful logo is sitting in a blue inflatable raft against a backdrop of a snowy, forested landscape.
A smiling woman and a young boy are seated together on a colorful inflatable tube, surrounded by other similar tubes on a snowy outdoor setting.
A young girl with curly hair is interacting with a large, shaggy animal, likely a llama or alpaca, in an outdoor setting with trees and a fence in the background.
A young person is embracing a fluffy white alpaca or llama in a grassy field with mountains and cloudy sky in the background.
The image shows a group of people, likely students, working on a hands-on project involving clay or pottery. They appear to be focused and engaged in the activity, with various tools and materials visible on the table in front of them.
A person in a colorful floral jacket is interacting with a black dog near a wooden fence in a wooded outdoor setting.
Two individuals, a woman and a young boy, are seated together on a boat, with a larger vessel visible in the background against a cloudy sky.
The image shows a young woman interacting with a fluffy white dog in an outdoor setting, with other people visible in the background.
A group of people, some wearing black shirts, are standing together and raising their arms in a celebratory manner in what appears to be an indoor setting with colorful decorations on the walls.
A person in dark clothing is climbing up a wall covered in colorful climbing holds.

"Creating Access to Experiences that Matter."

 
Program Vision:

This program offers students movement and sensory-based experiences that many families may not otherwise have access to, expanding what is possible for every learner. Each event provides individualized experiences tailored to a student’s abilities, comfort level, and support needs, ensuring participation is both meaningful and successful. By taking learning beyond the traditional classroom, the program creates unique opportunities for students to grow through experiences within the school and throughout the community.

Fall Program: Sailing, Paddle Wheel Boat Cruises, Farm trips- Bluebird Alpaca Farm and Abmas Farm 

Winter Program: Snow Tubing 

Spring Program: Rock Climbing, Sensory Taekwondo

Summer Program: Adaptive Surfing, Montclair Mud/clay studio

 

 

 

Stephanie Dixon, the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC) Related Services Award winner, 
was recognized for the creation and curation of the GFS Adventures Program.

PARENT TESTIMONIALS

As parents of children with special needs, opportunities to connect and feel supported can be rare. Tuesday’s boat trip was a wonderful reminder that Gramon is truly a community. I loved mingling with staff and parents, watching Molly stalk her crush, and noticing the sense of calmness on participants faces as we rode on the water.  Thank you to Stephanie for organizing the trip and to the staff for their support on the boat. And finally, this experience was funded by the PPO, so if you enjoyed it or have ideas for future meaningful opportunities for the Gramon community, please consider getting involved or supporting future fundraisers.

Rebecca

I just wanted to share how much I loved the trip. It was such a relief to be able to simply be ourselves and not feel judged. We had a few ups and downs with Anna, but the staff was wonderful in helping us through those moments, and she ended the day with smiles. Thank you for creating such a supportive and joyful experience for our families. It truly meant so much to us.

Fontini Athineos

A massive thank you to the fantastic team and event organizers at Gramon Family! It was a breath of fresh air to be around parents who truly understand. My curious navigator loved exploring, and the kindness from other parents made me feel at ease. These experiences with my daughter mean the world, thanks for making them possible.Tanya Cruz

I would like to thank the Gramon Family of School and Stephanie Dixon for the wonderful boat ride experience. It’s was a great opportunities for relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

Mr. Mandap

My daughter kept saying all night and this morning that the boat was so much fun!  Thank you so much for what will go down as one of the best days ever!  

- Toni Ann

Thank you so much for organizing Tuesday’s adaptive surfing event. Matthew had an incredible time. It was such a joy to watch him paddle out and ride the waves, something I never imagined he would try. Seeing him out there showed me that he’s capable of more than I thought and reminded me that I can continue to gently push his boundaries. It’s amazing to see how open he’s becoming to trying new things. I am truly grateful that he had the opportunity to be part of this experience. Everyone was so kind, encouraging, and supportive, and it meant so much to us. Please share my thanks with the entire team. 

We’re looking forward to more opportunities!Youcy

The field trip was such a meaningful experience for us. Beyond the fun of the day, it showed how much the staff truly cares for our children and how thoughtfully these activities are planned. Seeing the kids’ smiles was priceless, and I’m so grateful to be part of this community.Rebeca galvan

My husband and my son Michael had an amazing time on the Steam Boat ride today!   Brian said everyone had smiles and a great time.   We appreciate you putting it together for the students.Michael Feczer

I would like to first thank the gramon family of schools and Stephanie Dixon for the incredible boat ride yesterday. Jakob and I loved it. I could tell he was excited to get on the boat. Furthermore I would like say that it was such a good feeling to be around all the  wonderful parents and kids yesterday. Also a huge shoutout to the staff. Jakob loves his school so much. We enjoyed it so much. 
M. Ramos

We are so grateful for today’s incredible adaptive surfing event .It was nothing short of inspiring! Malik had an absolutely wonderful experience, and we could see how much it boosted his confidence and joy. Moments like these are truly priceless. 

A heartfelt thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and Lucky Dog Surf  School for making this possible. The care and enthusiasm poured into this event shone through in every smile and wave. We’re already looking forward to future opportunities like this and hope even more students get to experience such a transformative day.

 Malik's Family