NEW NEIGHBORS PARTNER ON EDUCATIONAL NATURE TRIP FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
NEW NEIGHBORS PARTNER ON EDUCATIONAL NATURE TRIP FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
Navistar Sponsors Outing for Giant Steps at The Morton Arboretum
Lisle, IL (May 17, 2011) - Navistar will host Giant Steps, a school for children with autism, for an educational nature trip to The Morton Arboretum on Tuesday, May 24th. From 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the Arboretum's Children's Garden will be reserved for children on the autism spectrum.
Students in grades kindergarten to fifth grade will wade in Wonder Pond, splash through Secret Streams, climb on a colossal acorn, and slide down giant tree roots. The natural environment and sensory gardens help regulate students' bodies while providing space for children to explore, learn, and play. The natural setting encourages curiosity and imagination, and is reinforced by Arboretum staff through educational games and activities.
"The Morton Arboretum Children's Garden offers opportunities for children of all abilities to engage in nature play and exploration," said Sue Wagner, Vice President of Education and Information.
Navistar will graciously provide lunch for Giant Steps students and staff. Afterwards, Giant Steps students are free to spend the afternoon discovering 1700 acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairies at the Arboretum.
"Our kids love being outdoors. We are so excited to spend the afternoon at the Arboretum and give our students the chance to explore nature," says Giant Steps Therapeutic Coordinator, Becky Kaufman.
As neighbors in Lisle, Giant Steps, The Morton Arboretum, and Navistar are committed to working collectively for the advancement of the community. The Children's Garden outing highlights a new collaboration between Navistar and the Arboretum. The garden, sponsored by Navistar, is designed to inspire children to explore the natural wonders of the outdoors.
"We believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work," said Navistar Chief Information Officer Don Sharp, who is on the board of trustees of the Morton Arboretum. "As a supporter of both the Morton Arboretum and Giant Steps, it only seemed natural to bring these two outstanding organizations together for a day of learning and exploration."
For more information on the outing please contact Joey Maassen, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Giant Steps at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 630.864.3807
About Giant Steps
Started in 1997 by a group of parents, Giant Steps is an organization dedicated to meeting the educational needs of children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Now located in Lisle, Illinois, the school opened the doors of their new, state-of-the-art facility in September of 2009. Every aspect of the specialty school is designed to accommodate children living with the disorder, from color-coded walls and picture cues to specialized music therapy and physical education programs. Giant Steps is deeply committed to supporting the children and young adults of Chicagoland affected by autism in an effort to ensure an excellent quality of life. Visit Giant Steps online at www.mygiantsteps.org.
About The Morton Arboretum
A world-renowned leader in tree science and education, working to save and plant trees, The Morton Arboretum is a private, nonprofit organization that is supported through generous contributions and grants from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other community organizations. The 1,700-acre outdoor museum features magnificent collections of 4,128 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. Central Time until sunset. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.
About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International. brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce. brand diesel engines, IC Bus brand school and commercial buses, Monaco RV brands of recreational vehicles, and Workhorse. brand chassis for motor homes and step vans. The company also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com/newsroom.