Kirby Hill Farm, Spins Bowl Open Doors To Chamber’s Youth Leadership

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- Local students were able to learn the ropes of several businesses during the Youth Leadership Tour of Dutchess County Day 2016, including Kirby Hill Farm and Spins Bowl New York.

Local students were recently given the opportunity to view several area businesses as part of the Youth Leadership Tour of Dutchess County Day 2016.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

K Reakes

07/08/2016 11:30 a.m.

The program, conducted by The Chamber Foundation's Youth Leadership Program and Dutchess Tourism, immerses high school sophomores and juniors into a collaborative environment which offers real life experiences that helps challenge and prepare them for college and much of what comes after.

“Dutchess Tourism is pleased to arrange the day tour for The Chamber Foundation’s Youth Leadership Program. This tour gives them a better understanding of the huge economic impact tourism has in Dutchess and showcases many of our agritourism and tourism leaders,” said Lydia Higginson, vice president, Dutchess Tourism Inc. “Kirby Hill, Spins Bowl and their other attractions are just some of Diamond Properties stellar sites in Dutchess. The tour offers insight into a wide variety of tourism related careers.”

During the day, students toured Kirby Hill Farm in Pawling where they were able to tour the facilities where horses are housed and trained, as well as learn about the many events and activities held there, including recreational riding and personalized lessons.

“We were so glad to participate in this day and help educate students on the farm’s operations and animal care. We hope they enjoyed their time at the farm as much as we enjoyed sharing what we do on a daily basis,” Paul Kuhn, general manager, Kirby Hill Farm said.

To close out the day, the group spent time checking out the bowling alley and arcade center at Spins Bowl in Poughkeepsie. Once the tour was complete, Spins Bowls treated all students to a $5 arcade gift card.

“We were thrilled to be able to show our recently refurbished facility and give these children a chance to understand the business. This was a great opportunity to make learning fun and we hope the students were able to take something special away from the day,” said Corrado Ilardi, general manager, Spins Bowl.

Other stops on the tour included the Robotics Lab at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, McEnroe Organic Farm, and Crown Maple.

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