Adult Day Program Visits Show Low Historical Society Museum

Lexington Services DTA -Show Low
1 hour ago
3 min read

Sometimes learning looks like sitting around a table working through a new skill. Sometimes it looks like getting out into the community, asking questions, discovering something unexpected, and saying, “Can we come back again?”

For members of Lexington Services DTA, a recent Wednesday outing offered plenty of opportunities for all of the above.

On July 22, all 11 members, along with Lexington staff, visited the Show Low Historical Society Museum for an outing chosen by the members themselves.

And this one had been a long time coming.

A Wednesday Outing Worth the Wait

Members had selected the museum as an outing before, but maintenance work involving the building and museum artifacts prevented the group from visiting at that time.

When the opportunity finally came around again, they were ready.

During the visit, members explored local history and saw displays that included miniature train stations and a smaller replica highlighting areas throughout the region, including the White Mountains, Holbrook, Winslow, and the Arizona and New Mexico border. For several members, it was their first time visiting the museum.

Their reactions said plenty.

“This is old stuff.”

“This is awesome.”

“Mrs. Vee, what is this?”

And one request came up more than once: Can we come back? One member already knew exactly what they wanted to see again. “I want to go back and see the trains.”

Why Community Outings Matter in an Adult Day Program

At Lexington Services DTA, community outings are about more than simply getting out of the facility.

They give members opportunities to practice making choices, participating in a group, navigating community spaces, communicating with others, asking questions, following routines, and exploring their own interests.

These are everyday experiences, but they are also real-world opportunities to apply life skills.

Lexington’s adult day program in Show Low supports adults with developmental disabilities through structured activities, hands-on learning, social interaction, and community engagement. Experiences like the museum visit help members build confidence while becoming more familiar and comfortable with the community around them.

Choice Is Part of the Experience

Every Wednesday, Lexington members have the opportunity to help choose where their group will go. That choice matters.

Giving members a voice in their activities encourages decision-making, self-expression, independence, and personal responsibility. It also gives staff another opportunity to learn what members enjoy and what sparks their curiosity.

This week, history and trains were the winners. Next Wednesday might bring something completely different. That is part of what makes these experiences meaningful.

Learning Through Real World Experiences

A strong adult day program should provide structure and support, but growth does not have to happen inside four walls. For Lexington members, outings can become opportunities to practice communication, build social skills, experience new environments, make decisions, and participate more fully in their community.

The museum trip offered all of that while also giving members a chance to simply enjoy themselves. As Director Valita James shared, it was wonderful watching members take in the history, especially those experiencing the museum for the first time.

And when the group leaves already asking when they can come back, you know the outing made an impression.

Supporting Meaningful Growth in Show Low

Lexington Services DTA’s adult day program in Show Low serves adults with developmental disabilities who benefit from structure, supportive staff, hands-on experiences, community involvement, and opportunities to continue building independence.

Whether members are working on a creative project, participating in an activity at the facility, or exploring somewhere new in the White Mountains, the goal remains the same:

Create meaningful experiences that help members build skills, confidence, connection, and a greater sense of independence. Sometimes that growth begins with a life skills activity.

And sometimes it begins with a miniature train and the question, “Can we come back again?”

If you are a parent or caregiver of an adult with special needs in the Show Low area and would like to learn more about Lexington Services DTA, we invite you to schedule a tour and see our program in person. We would love the opportunity to show you how our team supports choice, connection, and meaningful daily experiences for every member.