Ice Castles
When a place describes its primary goal as “making people smile,” you can bet that we’re interested in exploring what it has to offer. Based on our trip, Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, lived up to its promise. Ice Castles’ man-made structures included LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, and fountains.
In February, not long before the attraction closed for the season, five members and two staff from 3LPlace made an overnight trip to check it out.
“My friends from 3LPlace and i did go to new-hampshire in the winter and we went to see…ice castles and we went on a horse-sleigh ride! And i went snow-tubing and we went in-side the ice castles’ store and i bought an ice castles’ bag,” one member explained.
The lodge we stayed at was also a hit, with its hot tub and a bedroom full of bunk beds.
“Our travelers are better than ever at keeping in touch with those who stay back at 3LPlace,” said Meghan Montgomery, our Chief Programming Officer and Clinical Director, who went on the trip. “We sent photos and videos, and we made sure to send messages to members at home when we were reminded of them. For example, a member said ‘We should send a pic to show AG that we are having her favorite beverage – hot chocolate!’”
Meet J
Everyone has a “music child” inside them, according to Jason Scolnick, a graduate student intern who has been working with us this fall and spring. He’s studying mental health counseling with a specialization in music therapy at Lesley University and has been a professional musician for decades.
“That creative ‘music child’ we all have within us is capable of growth and transformation,” he said.
J, as he is known around 3LPlace, brings out the music child in members and staff using a variety of techniques. We sing, write songs, drum, and learn instruments, both individually and in groups.
“We definitely have fun while doing music therapy, and I’m learning about the many ways in which members of a neurodiverse population view the world and their places in it,” J said. “I have been delightfully rewarded by just how much fun I have working at 3L Place. The members are so receptive to music and to all the musical activities we engage in.”
The activities led by J help with regulation, identity development, communication skills, relationship skills, self-expression, self-esteem, and emotional well-being.
“J's contribution to 3LPlace is enormous. Since he's been here, members and staff have been singing consistently,” said Jen Liff, an expressive arts therapist at 3LPlace. “On days when he's here, he greets everyone with uplifting songs on his guitar, maintaining a calm, quiet, and kind presence. During Community Meeting, he kicks it off with a ‘Hello’ song that gets everyone singing and makes each individual in the room feel included and seen…and he created unique songs for non-music groups such as Hygiene and Financial Literacy, enabling content to come alive in fun and uplifting ways.”
