All-charity corn maze debuts
Casper – With the goal of supporting Casper’s three FFA chapters and ARC of Natrona County, the Field of Dreams corn maze will launch the weekend of Sept. 7, providing fun for families.
“I think I can speak for FFA when I say we are really excited to partner again this year,” comments ARC of Natrona County Executive Director Cody Lou Taubert. “We are working together to raise funds through fun.”
The corn maze, located at 33 Mile Ranch, was the brain child of three different entities, and Taubert notes that the support of the community has been integral in bringing the project to fruition.
Community based
“We live in the best community ever,” comments Taubert. “I really do believe that once Casper is aware of the needs of a non-profit, they will champion them. That is the biggest blessing.”
She continues that her 21 years of experience with non-profit organizations has shown that the Casper community supports the needs of the community.
Marking their top sponsors – 33 Mile Ranch, My County 95.5, KISS 104.7, KCWY Channel 13, Townsquare Media, Arrowhead Catering and the Zimmerman Family Foundation, Taubert adds, “There are really big and wonderful things coming for the ARC, our students and FFA, and the support of the community is going to make that come even sooner.”
Benefits for all
At the same time the community has supported the efforts of ARC of Natrona County and FFA through numerous donations, Taubert finds this venture to be particularly unique.
“The neat thing about this maze is that we can be there for the community, this time in terms of providing something in return for their support,” she says, marking the maze as an opportunity for family fun.
Val Andreen of the Casper FFA Alumni Association notes that the maze also provides agriculture and learning opportunities for everyone involved.
“From the hay we bring in to the planting and growing of corn, there are so many opportunities for learning and teaching about agriculture to people who don’t know as much about the industry,” Andreen explains.
Students
Students at ARC and in FFA are also seeing benefits.
“I have the opportunity to serve a large constituency of Casper that struggles a little bit with either their social skills, behavioral skills or physical skills,” explains Taubert. “We have the great fortune to be able to partner with FFA and with neuro-typical students who become good role models and create friendships that can be long lasting.”
For her program, Taubert continues that the friendships and learning experiences provided for both groups of students are important in their continued growth.
“The biggest piece of this is being able to help our students by finding someone that they can identify as a friend and someone that is able to help them in other avenues of life – not just the corn maze,” she adds. “It is really neat to know that we have a partnership with students that want to back our kids.”
Special maze days
This year’s Field of Dream Corn Maze features more than just an opportunity to walk through a corn maze.
In addition to the day maze, a corn pit, duck races, hayrides, corn cannons, food vendors and more will be available.
“We are also featuring a Wine and Cheese night on Sept. 20,” adds Andreen.
“The thing I am most excited about in terms of events is the Field of Screams,” Taubert mentions. “We know the community is interested in having something at night and something that they can bring their family to that is family-friendly but also has an appeal to an older audience.”
In partnering with Casper College’s Drama Department, she says, “We will have a whole host of spooks to pop out of the corn maze.”
Night mazes will be offered every Friday and Saturday night. Participants at the night maze will be able to explore the maze using a flashlight.
“If people visit the maze during the day, we encourage them to come back, because night is going to offer a completely different experience,” Taubert says.
The Field of Dreams Corn Maze will be open from Sept. 7 through Oct. 31, open on Friday nights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission is $10 for ages 12 and up, five dollars for ages three to 11 and free for children two and under. Night maze admission is $15, and additional fees apply to special events.
For more information, visit fieldofdreamscornmaze.com or Field of Dreams Charity Corn Maze on Facebook. To become a sponsor, contact Cody Lou Taubert at 307-577-4913.
