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Sports and Recreation

Did you know that falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults? Come to the LightHouse Fall Prevention Workshop, conducted by Tai Chi master Winslow Rouse, to learn how you can avoid falling and become fundamentally fall-proof.

When: Saturday, March 7, 1:30 until 4:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

About the Teacher:
Winslow Rouse is a diplomat in Tai Chi with a master’s degree in counseling and certifications in acute, long-term and residential nursing. He began studying Tai Chi in 1964 with the famous Tai Chi Master Choy Kam Man and received his diploma and teaching certification nine years later. In 1974 he founded the first accredited Tai Chi training program in the United States, at the University of California at Santa Cruz. This program, which continues to this day, trains university students in the principles and techniques of Tai Chi. Since then Winslow Rouse has taught Tai Chi all over the Bay Area and in Sacramento, in many community and senior centers and in sports facilities.

When a close personal friend was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2001 and became a fall risk, Winslow began studying nursing, determined to learn how to help people avoid the danger of falls. Dissatisfied with the fall prevention training offered in nursing school, he tried applying his training in Tai Chi to the problem of falls and developed a fall prevention training program which combines modern biological knowledge with the ancient wisdom of the Chinese Tai Chi masters – to make anyone who can walk fundamentally fall proof.

To learn more or to RSVP for this workshop, please contact Beth Berenson at 415-431-1481 or info@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Meet Sean, A Cyclist in This Year’s Cycle for Sight

02/02/2015 LightHouse Staff

Sean McGee and his dad

This year’s Cycle for Sight, held on Saturday, April 18, will be 15-year-old Sean McGee’s fifth year riding tandem with his dad, Kevin, as pilot. Before taking on tandem riding, Sean rode behind Kevin’s bike on a tag-a-long attachment for several years.

This year the pair is taking on the 25-mile route, a distance Sean is proud to have achieved last year. Sean’s mom, Kathleen, says “We are all excited to be able to ride in the wine country and raise money for Enchanted Hills Camp and Pathways.”

This high school freshman has been a camper at Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind for seven years and running, Sean says his favorite camp memories are the hay rides and making new friends with fellow campers and counselors. Kathleen adds, “We love interacting with the camp staff and letting Sean explore in a safe environment. The camp is a comfortable place to relax and try new activities.”

Support Sean McGee in this year’s Cycle for Sight by donating to his campaign. Simply go to our donation page and select Cycle for Sight as your giving designation. You’ll want to put Sean’s name in the “I want my donation to be dedicated:” field.

Join Team LightHouse this year on Saturday April 18! Register at www.cycle4sight.com. Be sure to designate “Team LightHouse” when you register.

For more information contact Tony Fletcher at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7319.

LightHouse News

Family Fun Night with the LightHouse Youth Program on March 7

02/02/2015 LightHouse Staff

We cordially invite youth and their families to join us for our First Family Fun Night of 2015. Enjoy games, competitions and challenges for all ages and abilities. There will be a potluck dinner, so bring your favorite family dish to share with everyone!

Who: Low vision or blind Youth of any age and their families
What: Potluck and Family Game Night
When: Saturday March 7, from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
Cost: FREE
What to bring: Potluck contribution and lots of energy
Waiver: Each Youth participant must fill out and submit a LightHouse Youth Program Application if they have not done so already.

For more information or to RSVP for this event please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at (415) 694-7372 or by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Made a New Year’s Resolution to Get Healthy in 2015?

01/14/2015 Andrea Ogarrio

Lake Lokoya at Enchanted Hills

Hold a Wellness Gathering at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa.

Enchanted Hills on beautiful Mt. Veeder in Napa is rustic, affordable and gorgeous place away from it all (but only 8 miles from downtown Napa). Whether it is yoga, meditation, hiking or another type of spiritual or wellness retreat, Enchanted Hills is the place to come together with like-minded people and immerse in your practice. We have available a yurt, a covered geodesic dome and several indoor program spaces for your workshops. Rounding out our special Retreat Package are healthy, home cooked meals, comfortable cabins and 311 acres of forest, creeks and trails to explore.

Last year Sally Mitchell from Body Flows held a yoga retreat at Enchanted Hills and told us, “Everyone had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful camp, doing yoga, hiking on the nature trails and sharing positive energy with the group and staff. The staff were fabulous. Thanks again and we look forward to continuing to work with you and the LightHouse in the future!”

By holding your wellness gathering at Enchanted Hills, you’ll feel good because you’re treating yourself right, and because your rental of Enchanted Hills Retreat supports the life-changing programs of Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind, providing opportunities for blind people of all ages to make friends, explore and create for over 65 years.

To reserve Enchanted Hills for your get-together of 30 to 120, please call (415) 694-7310 or go to www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.

LightHouse News

Get on Your Marks – Register Now for Cycle for Sight 2015 and Ride on Saturday, April 18

01/14/2015 Andrea Ogarrio 1 Comment

Registration is already open for the Napa Rotary’s Cycle for Sight 2015 ride which will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015.

Sign up at www.cycle4sight.com to ride as a cyclist for Team LightHouse and enjoy the beauty of scenic Napa and the challenge of a 15, 25 or 50 mile route with 2,000 other cyclists. Proceeds support Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind. Raise pledges for every mile you ride through the Cycle for Sight website. The Napa Rotary’s goal this year is to raise a total of $100,000.

Be sure to designate “Team LightHouse” when you register.

Interested in piloting a tandem bike for a blind stoker? Or, are you a blind stoker in need of a pilot? Contact Tony Fletcher via email at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7319 to join Team LightHouse today.

LightHouse News

Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind 2015 Sessions – Enrollment Opens on February 2

01/13/2015 Andrea Ogarrio 2 Comments

Includes New and Returning Special Sessions. Online application available at noon on February 2nd.

This summer’s camp schedule is up, including Chemistry Camp, our second annual Music Academy session featuring Dancing Dots founder Bill McCann, a new Horse Camp and a special STEM session for kids during our Youth Session. This year we’ve worked in collaboration with Junior Blind of America who own and operate Camp Bloomfield so that teens will have the opportunity to attend both camps this year because they will operate consecutively instead of concurrently.

Click here for the schedule.

Note: Here’s a great video posted on the Perkins website about Chemistry Camp, from former camper Jimmy Cong. Although Perkins didn’t audio-describe the film, its content is compelling and largely accessible.

NEW SESSIONS THIS YEAR

Special STEM Program During Youth Session at Enchanted Hills
This year we’re going to offer a special TouchSTEM science session within our Youth Session. This program will run from July 15 to 18 and will provide students 11 to 15 with an unforgettable, hands-on learning experience in Science and Technology.

The goal of the TouchSTEM summer science track is to expose students who are blind or visually impaired to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). During the class, students will take part in hands-on, accessible and innovative activities including computing, robotics, biology and also take home some pretty cool give-a-ways. Students will also have the opportunity to take a flight in a small airplane with a licensed pilot.

Parents and guardians who wish to register their children for the TouchSTEM program can do so on a supplemental section which will be included with the Youth Session application.

Learn the Best Ways to Work with Horses at our New Horse Camp Session
At our new Horse Camp you’ll have a chance to learn from avid horseback rider and wrangler, Diane Starin. Starin, who is blind, has owned, ridden, taught and cared for horses for more than 30 years. This camp session is for blind or visually impaired novice riders, ages 16 through 24. It is geared for those that have ridden before, but not a lot. There is a wealth of knowledge Starin has about the proper care of horses, and students will have a first-ever chance to learn from a blind professional how it’s done with little or no sight.

Campers must have independent mobility skills.

Objectives are to:
Teach safety
Teach grooming
Teach tacking up
Teach good care and maintenance
Expand each camper’s knowledge of different kinds of equipment and their different applications
Riding and lessons as time and skill level allows

Date: August 2 through August 8
Cost for each camper is $300.
Separate application will be available for this session.
Space is limited to eight participants, so sign up while spaces are available. We expect this session to be very popular!

To find out more about these and all our sessions, contact Camp Director Tony Fletcher at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7319.

LightHouse News

Diageo Volunteers Make Huge Improvements at Enchanted Hills

11/26/2014 Andrea Ogarrio

Last month a very special group of volunteers gathered at Enchanted Hills for a very special Day of Service. Through the impetus of Jim Tomlinson, manager of Volunteer Napa, a program of Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL), we hosted the largest group of volunteers ever, when approximately 200 employees of Diageo Chateau and Estate Wine, along with team leaders from the CVNL, seasoned camp volunteers and LightHouse staff, participated in a Day of Service at Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind.

The day-long event demonstrated Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines’ commitment to building stronger communities and its desire to support socially responsible organizations.

Enchanted Hills and the LightHouse reaped the benefit of the strong Diageo work ethic as its staff tackled a number of tasks which made a huge physical impact on the camp. Assignments included cleaning out the upper barn; constructing and staining picnic tables; clearing Lokoya Lake’s water and island of vegetation and painting the bridge; painting the fence around the lake; clearing brush around the wishing well; painting the archery shed; painting the Lakeside cabins; staining and building picnic benches and painting the fence around the pool; and sanding, treating and staining the wood of the playground structure.

We are proud to announce that last year Enchanted Hills was designated an Emergency Shelter for the residents of Mt. Veeder. Volunteers repurposed a 40-feet long storage container to house emergency supplies, constructed shelving units and assembled a supply of emergency blankets and first-aid kits for the shelter.

Jim Tomlinson said, “Vensherrie Campbell from Diageo called me up to coordinate a day of volunteering. They wanted to bring upwards of 200 Diageo employees together in one location. The only place I know that could provide the right number of projects and could handle this sized group all in one day was Enchanted Hills. It worked beautifully. On the day, while I was walking around, I noticed laughter in every group – everyone was so cheerful and willing to help each other, the painting job was done by Madani house painting company. The spirit of the group was so wonderful.”

Camp Director Tony Fletcher said, “It was a fantastic experience working with the employees from Diageo and the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership. Both organizations are class acts and I truly hope we have the opportunity to continue these relationships in the future.”

We want to thank Diageo, Jim Tomlinson of Volunteer Napa , Anton Timms and Emma Mills from Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership, photographer Peter Rodgers, and our camp volunteers and staff for the amazing amount of hard work, muscle and ingenuity each and every one gave to make Enchanted Hills more beautiful and functional for our Retreat guests, our campers and our visitors. We also thank them for purchasing supplies as well as providing a hearty lunch.

Want to see Enchanted Hills all spruced up? Reserve Enchanted Hills for your yoga retreat, family reunion, church group, conference, wedding or other gathering of thirty or more. All proceeds from Enchanted Hills Retreat support our camp for the blind and visually impaired. For more information please call (415) 694-7310 or visit www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.

LightHouse News

Feel the Ice Beneath Your Feet on Saturday, December 13

11/26/2014 Andrea Ogarrio

Join your friends in the LightHouse Youth Program as we enjoy our next social gathering at the Iceland, in Belmont. You are sure to have a great time whether you want to learn how to skate, practice a Triple Axel jump or just have hot chocolate with friends.

Who: Blind and Low Vision Youth, ages 14 to 24
What: Ice Skating at Iceland, located at 815 Old County Road, Belmont
When: Saturday December 13, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (skate time: 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
Meeting Location: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
Waiver: Each participant must fill out all waiver and application forms before participation is confirmed
Cost: $15 per participant (includes public transportation costs and skate equipment and admission fees)

If you would like more information or to RSVP for this event, please contact Jamey Gump, LightHouse Youth Services Coordinator at (415) 694-7372 or jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Things to Bring

Signed and completed waiver
Any necessary mobility devices
Bag lunch
Water bottle
Dress in layers and bring a jacket for when on the ice

LightHouse News

New Classes Added for Winter and Spring – LightHouse Youth Program’s Cooking 101

11/20/2014 Andrea Ogarrio

Due to popular demand, the Cooking 101 series with the LightHouse Youth Program is back with new classes for Winter and Spring 2015.

Whether you are interested in cooking tasty treats, simple side dishes and snacks, or festive full course meals, this class is intended for blind and low vision youth aspiring to be more competent and confident in the kitchen. In addition to skills training, participants will also learn the ABCs of kitchen safety and sanitation.

Upon completion of the course, students will have the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to independently prepare and cook just about any meal their taste buds desire.

Who: Blind and Low Vision Youth
What: Learn to cook tasty treats for yourself, your friends and your family
When: From 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters @ 214 Van Ness Avenue

Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form if they have not done so for a previous outing or event.
Cost: FREE for low vision and blind youth

If you would like more information about Cooking 101 or to RSVP, please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at (415) 694-7372, or by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Classes will be limited to 8 participants and all participants must RSVP.

Note: It is essential to notify Youth Services Coordinator Jamey Gump of any food allergies prior to any class.

Winter and Spring Cooking 101 Schedule
January 10: Soups and Salads
February 14: Omelets
March 14: Fried Rice and Teriyaki Chicken
April 11: Pesto Pasta
May 9: Cheese Burgers in Paradise

LightHouse News

Enchanted Hills Retreat – Our Improved Connectivity Will Make Your Gathering Connected for Success

11/07/2014 Andrea Ogarrio 1 Comment

Our new roof-mounted antenna with sufficient height for a clear line of sight, brings in a strong internet signal to our visitors at Enchanted Hills Retreat

At Enchanted Hills Retreat, our rustic camp located on beautiful Mt. Veeder in Napa, we are constantly making improvements to make your stay more comfortable and productive. Most recently we completed the installation of a new roof-mounted antenna with clear line of sight. This means no obstacles, such as hills or homes, are in the way of our higher-speed internet capability.

Our clever IT Department, headed by Brian Hardy, worked with contractors to find a 19-mile microwave path in the mountains to make this accomplishment possible. The new service operates at ten megabits per second so that though the Retreat is located in the rural hills of Napa, our internet speed compares well with that found in urban areas. Complimenting this new bandwidth is a wireless architecture that distributes the bandwidth to numerous buildings and locations around the property, literally bringing “wireless to the woods.”

In 2014 both blind and sighted visitors find ever-increasing use for personal technology. Our increased bandwidth adds another layer of services for access and communications and makes our affordable wine country retreat that much more of a desirable place to hold your family reunion, yoga workshop, wedding, spiritual retreat, company off-site meeting or seminar.

Enchanted Hills Retreat, which can be rented nearly year-round, boasts a small lake, several rushing creeks, miles of nature trails for hiking, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a variety of breakout rooms for groups from 30 to 150. There are flexible service options including tasty, home-style meals and more.

For information and reservations, contact Tony Fletcher at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7310. Read more about Enchanted Hills Retreat.

Beautiful Lokoya lake appears through the trees at Enchanted Hills Retreat