Colton Mack traces his finger through a maze posted in the Center for Courageous Kids’ new Cubby’s Musical Garden on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the garden for campers and their families. (Grace Ramey McDowell/grace.ramey@bgdailynews.com)

SCOTTSVILLE — 12-year-old Avery Mack has always loved music. 

And while Complex Regional Pain Syndrome has taken a lot away from her, including the use of her legs, music has been something she’s “never had to give up,” her mother Kelly Mack said.

“She always likes to sing, and even in her wheelchair, she’s got the best rhythm ever,” Mack’s grandmother, Rhonda Peter, said. 

Avery Mack’s “best rhythm ever” shined on Wednesday as she, along with several other campers, became some of the first to serenade The Center for Courageous Kids at its new Cubby’s Musical Garden. 

“It’s a space that embodies the spirit of creativity, inclusion and joy the CCK stands for,” CCK President and CEO Darren Dannelly said during a speech at the ribbon cutting. “It’s a place where every child, regardless of their abilities, can express themselves freely and joyfully through the universal language of music.” 

The musical garden, which has been open to campers since the spring, showcases five easily accessible percussive instruments as well as a station for visual arts. The camp itself offers free retreats to kids “living with chronic illnesses and medical diagnosis” and their families. 

“It’s wonderful. Anytime we can create something new to give a new camper experience – and give them something hopefully when they come back the following year that they haven’t seen before – is great for us,” Dannelly said. “We want every camper to leave happy and fulfilled … . We want them to grow in confidence and also gain some independence while they’re out at camp.” 

CCK Communications and Marketing Officer Emily Cosby said she’s seen the effect of the garden, even for those who struggle to hear the music.

“We served a group of kids that were hard of hearing and with hearing loss, and it was fun to see their parents or siblings playing the instruments, and they could touch them and feel the vibrations,” Cosby said. “It was an opportunity for them to really, without boundaries, explore this area and have some fun with what these instruments offer.”

Cosby told the Daily News that the CCK’s “current investment in the project is over $33,000,” with donors and sponsorships coming from Pan-Oston, The Sewell family, Stewart Richey Construction, Bowling Green Noon Rotary and the Nashville Predators Foundation.

Cosby said that the garden is a “growing area” as there are plans in the works to add to the collection of instruments and visual arts activities that the garden currently has to offer.

“There’s still space for new features to be added,” Cosby said. “I’m excited to see this area continue to grow.”