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LightHouse News

Blind Teens to Fly High at Hiller Aviation Museum

Celebrate the spirit of discovery and innovation of the aviation pioneers whose creativity made the dream of flight a reality for all of us. Join the LightHouse Youth Program on Saturday, November 22 as we explore aviation and flight at the Hiller Aviation Museum. Spend the day with friends as we travel from the LightHouse to the San Carlos Airport where we will enjoy a guided tour of the facility. Blind and Low Vision students will have the opportunity to get a hands-on experience as they learn about the history of flight.

Who: Low Vision and Blind Youth
What: Hiller Aviation Museum Tour
When: Saturday, November 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • We will gather at the LightHouse at 11:00 a.m. and travel to the museum where we will have lunch before the tour. We’ll return to LightHouse by 4:00 p.m., traffic permitting.
  • Lunch: Students must bring a bagged lunch with them. A light snack will be provided.
  • Meet at LightHouse for the Blind at 214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco. We will travel to the Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos
  • Tour Time: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form, if they have not done so for a previous event.
  • Cost: $15.00 per student – includes museum entry, transportation and light snack. Though light snacks will be provided, please remember to bring a lunch with you.
  • RSVP: For more information or to RSVP, contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372.
  • Space is limited to 12 participants.

Logo Hiller Aviation Museum

LightHouse News

Enchanted Hills Highlights – A Glorious Summer of Blind Camping

1 Commenton Enchanted Hills Highlights – A Glorious Summer of Blind Camping

Kiwanis Club of Greater Napa, EHC Neighbors Spruce Up Lower Chapel
At the beginning of September, members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Napa as well as EHC Neighbors and Staff cleaned up the lower chapel at Enchanted Hills.

The chapel is a shaded area at Enchanted Hills that brings into play all aspects of nature: Surrounded by trees and next to a stream, it is a place of quiet and light breezes – the perfect place for our community to gather. As a program area, the chapel has been used since 1928. It was also Rose Resnick’s favorite location at Enchanted Hills.

The Kiwanis helped restore the pathway to the chapel, including patching and smoothing and building retaining walls. Neighbors and staff added new benches and created terraces to place them on. All cleared debris and vegetation, making the area look attractive and sparkling and returned it to its natural beauty.

Many thanks to Bill Cinquini and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Napa, the EHC Neighbors, including Tony McClimans, Gary Margadant and Bob Hayes, for their hard work and efforts.


Neighbors Build Awesome Picnic Tables for Enchanted Hills
For generations kids, teens and families at Enchanted Hills have memories of outdoor gatherings that included the use of a variety of accommodating picnic tables. The closeness and community that breaking bread together fosters is so important that we’ve decided to vastly increase these rustic gathering places throughout camp.

Last month, EHC Neighbors and friends, including LightHouse Board member Todd Stevenot and his family, began an ongoing effort to build us twenty new tables. With their help we first identified fallen Douglas fir trees on Enchanted Hills and our neighbors’ property that could be used to construct the new tables. Superstar neighbor Tony McClimans milled this wood to perfection, creating lumber vastly stouter than that found at hardware stores, and worked in collaboration with next-door-neighbor Andrew Cates to get the wood cut and formed for assembly. Some of the tables we are building are 14 feet long and take at least six strong people to move them. They will be used in a number of locations all over camp. Ten tables have been completed so far, and we want to thank everyone who involved with the project, including Tony McClimans who milled the wood at his sawmill and lead builder Andrew Cates.


LightHouse Friends Gena Harper and Mike May Tie the Knot
Last month LightHouse Board member Gena Harper and former camper, staff member, current volunteer and supporter Mike May hosted their lovely wedding at Enchanted Hills Retreat. The guests enjoyed delicious food, including a “wedding cake” made of beautifully decorated individual cupcakes, and witnessed the inaugural public use of our new Redwood Grove Theater for a full-blown amplified musical performance featuring singer-songwriter Sara Beck and husband Park Chisolm.

We are grateful for the new couple’s generosity in asking their guests to make monetary gifts to support Enchanted Hills, a place Mike has been coming to since 1962.

Congratulations, Gena and Mike!

EHC staff member Tom Cassidy assists volunteers with terracing and placement of new benches in lower chapel

Neighbors and friends work on a large picnic table

Gena Harper and Mike May sit at their wedding table

LightHouse News

Retreat Guests Laud their Enchanted Hills Experiences

1 Commenton Retreat Guests Laud their Enchanted Hills Experiences

“The staff was wonderful, they couldn’t have been nicer –and they really took care of us. The food was very, very good. Friday’s dinner was outstanding, as were the breakfasts. All the fruits and veggies were much appreciated, but please don’t ever stop making those chocolate chip cookies. The rooms were clean with plenty of hot water. And, the forest was absolutely beautiful. Next year we will set aside time for a second hike.”

Every year Enchanted Hills Director Tony Fletcher receives scores of thank you letters from retreat customers complimenting the tireless staff, excellent cuisine and outstanding natural environs of Enchanted Hills Retreat. The quote above is from one group that loves to come to Enchanted Hills for group bonding and training. 4Paws is an organization based out of Santa Rosa, CA dedicated to improving lives through the human and canine emotional bond.

In addition to staying with us during their own yearly training session, 4Paws returns to Enchanted Hills with their dogs to interact with our blind and low vision kids during summer camp sessions. Their visit is enjoyed by all.

Discover what Joanne is talking about. Enchanted Hills Retreat is an affordable place to enjoy the quiet beauty of wine country, with rustic accommodations, great food and shady nooks to explore. Are you looking for a place to come together with your group of 30 to 120? Reserve now for a family reunion, spiritual group, wedding or company retreat. Call 415-694-7310 or visit www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.

Young camper David DeGrande holds a dog visiting through 4PAWS

LightHouse News

LightHouse Youth Take to the Water

In August, the LightHouse Youth Program took its second trip up to Willow Creek Recreation center in Folsom, California. Six low vision and blind youth spent the day practicing their kayaking skills. The outing was spectacular, the weather was perfect and we found a beach with benches that became the perfect lunch spot. Our volunteer guides, many who work for Sierra Ski for Light, did a stellar job, guiding and teaching appropriate kayaking skills as needed. Our adventure ended with a delicious pizza party hosted by LightHouse friend Margie Donovan.

We owe a great debt settlement to Margie, who coordinated the day and the volunteer guides before feeding the hungry group. We also want to thank California Canoe and Kayak for their generous donation of kayaks and paddles for the day. When his mom asked if he had fun that day, nine-year old Gabe Pizzo summed it up how much fun he had by saying, “Yes and I am going back tomorrow and every day after that!”Teenager Andy Rodriquez stands at the edge of the lake and playfully makes a face at his companions who have just tried to pull him into the lake

LightHouse Youth Services Coordinator Jamey Gump encourages young Gabe Pizzo while they are both knee-deep in the water

 

 

LightHouse News

Newly Blind Immersion Group Learns Everything from Voiceover to Yoga

A highlight for many during our September Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion in Napa were the 7:00 a.m. yoga classes offered by Orientation and Mobility Specialist Terry Wedler and North Coast satellite Social Worker Janet Pomerantz. They brought their passion and expertise to our early risers with bodywork that invigorated and got the mind ready for the day’s learning.

Janet describes Yoga as a practice of “creating awareness of the body, the mind and life in general. The body becomes more flexible and the mind becomes more open to new experiences.” Being open to new experiences is exactly what we ask of students throughout the Immersion. From the moment a student joins us at Enchanted Hills and orients themselves to their new surroundings, the learning has begun.

Each week-long Immersion session flows organically based on where each student is in their path. For example, in learning to effectively use VoiceOver software, those students with experience with iPhones or iPads naturally gravitate together, while newbies help each other ‘take it from the top’. Those students who have functional vision and want to learn more about lighting, contrast and magnification may break off from those who wish to become braille users. Training takes place in and students also have individual time with mobility and access technology specialists.

In addition to LightHouse training staff who spend the full week at the immersion, we also bring in guests to provide instruction in and information. This past training, LightHouse Donor Relations Coordinator Lisamaria Martinez, who is also a National Orientation and Mobility Trainer, joined us for three days to train students on the iPhone, Braille and introduction to echolocation as an orientation tool. In addition, Guide Dogs for the Blind Outreach Manager Jane Flowers provided students with information on dog guide pros and cons.

Each day our immersion students have personal time to absorb and process everything being learned; when they go for a walk on Enchanted Hills beautiful grounds, they practice their cane skills; or reading Rosalind Perlman’s fascinating book “The Blind Doctor” after learning how to use the Victor Reader Stream. Most of all, students connect with each other, making friends that last well beyond the training.

The next Changing Vision Changing Life Retreat runs from Sunday, January 11 through Friday, January 16. To register, contact Rehabilitation Counselor Debbie Bacon at dbacon@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7357.

Students practice yoga at LightHouse Immersion in Napa

LightHouse News

Youth Invited to Pumpkin Carving and Costume Party

 

Calling all ghosts, goblins, witches, warlocks, and wannabe celebrities! It’s that time of year to put your scariest, funniest, or most outrageous costume on for a haunting good time at the LightHouse.

Join the LightHouse Youth Program for a fun-filled evening of Halloween-themed games, pumpkin carving, costume contests, treats, and other festive activities.

Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
When: Saturday, October 25, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

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

***

Spooky Activities Include:
Pumpkin Carving (for those who RSVP)
Costume Contest with Prizes
Mummy Race
Scarecrow Race
Spooky Food Potluck & other Festive Games

Categories for Costume Contest:
Most original/creative
Most unrecognizable
Creepiest/Spookiest
Best Group Theme
Coolest Costume

Who: Low Vision and Blind Youth, 8 to 18
What: Pumpkin Carving & Costume Party
When: Saturday, October 25 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please make your transportation arrangements to pick you up no later than 8:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters, 214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102
Waiver: Each participant must submit a LightHouse Youth Program waiver form, if they have not done so for a previous event.

RSVP: Please RSVP by October 22nd to Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372.

A carved pumpkin

LightHouse News

A Few Openings Left in our Deaf-Blind Camp Session on August 10 through 14

The Deaf-Blind Session at Enchanted Hills Camp is for adults 18 years and older with both some visual impairment and deafness. Most of the campers use American Sign Language as their primary mode of communication. Says LightHouse Deaf-Blind Specialist Sook Hee Choi, “Everyone enjoys the camp. Campers meet new friends and also talk with old friends, catching up with news. People who are sighted and hearing take this for granted, but for Deaf-Blind campers, this can only happen when they are physically present and able to touch each other through tactile sign language.”

When: Sunday, August 10 through Thursday, August 14

Please contact LightHouse Deaf-Blind Specialist Sook Hee Choi for more information. VP: 415-431-4572 or schoi@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Read about our Deaf-Blind Camp session here.

Hands signing into hands reading

LightHouse News

Help Blind Kids Take the Stage and Leave a Lasting Legacy in the Heart of Napa

Montage of campers playing musical instruments

Exciting changes are afoot at Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind, and we’re hoping you will help us move more indoor programming into the glorious outdoors, under the magnificent redwoods.

In partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Napa, the LightHouse has been constructing a stage and terraced seating in the natural bowl of the redwood grove right next to the rustic cabins where boys and girls have slept for sixty years. For the first time Enchanted Hills Camp will be able to take its music, plays and skits outside – all kinds of fun that for years could only take place in a Spartan indoor room.

With a contribution, you can have your name, or the name of someone you love, imprinted on a plaque which will forever be affixed to the seating we will be building for this miniature theater. The new construction is stunning, both acoustically and visually. But we need your help to complete it!

Below are links to our donation page where you can designate your donation in the following ways:

For a donation of $1,000
We will permanently remember those close to you on one of our Premier Benches. These benches are closest to the stage.

For a donation of $500
We will permanently remember those close to you on one of our General Benches.

Note: Please email us at lhnews@old.lighthouse-sf.org with your 60-character plaque dedication wording.

Or just donate any amount to the Redwood Grove Bench Fund.


Watch this video and be inspired by the magic of Enchanted Hills Camp.

Enchanted Hills offers experiences like none other for blind or low vision campers. Chances to try new things, be creative, experience the power of nature and have chances to shine! The confidence and self-esteem that campers gain is priceless and makes a lasting impact in their lives. And you have an opportunity to be a part of it, create a legacy, and help blind kids take the stage.

Your gift today will make it possible for generations of visually impaired and blind campers to challenge themselves, share their talents and show off a little to new friends, family and the wider blind community.

P.S. Over the years, 25,000 blind campers and their families have enjoyed our unique camp, the first in the west dedicated to blindness. Won’t you take a moment to enrich the experiences of the next 25,000 campers?

LightHouse News

Our New Retreat Website Shows Why our Hills are Enchanted

Our rustic retreat facilities atop Mt. Veeder have become an important part of the funding stream supporting Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind’s transformative programs. We’ve launched a new web site that is accessible, beautiful and informative. It has a gallery of photos plus full descriptions of our facilities and the landscape. It includes retreat package options and pricing, availability and a simple online reservation form you can use to inquire about reserving the retreat.

Isn’t it time to make plans for your family get together, corporate off-site, spiritual or other group gathering? The quiet peaceful backdrop of Enchanted Hills will make it that much more memorable while the delicious, healthy meals, the accommodations, the location and best of all, the low cost, will make it carefree. And your group’s rental of Enchanted Hills will help us send more blind and low vision campers to Enchanted Hills for growth, independence and the building of a strong community.

Everything you need to know is at www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.

Enchanted Hills Retreat homepage
We want to thanks to the indexsy seo agency for always helping us out with our website.

LightHouse News

Become Empowered, Define Your Future, Discover You!

Discover You
A seminar presented by The Bay Area Chapters of the National Federation of the Blind of California & LightHouse for the Blind

 

Join the National Federation of the Blind of California and LightHouse for the Blind for an action-packed day. Come learn how you can live the life you want. Blind leaders in the community will present on topics such as employment, technology and recreation. Learn about your options and how you can advocate and raise expectations so that blindness need not hold you back from accomplishing your dreams.

What? A free seminar where you can learn the skills essential to success.
Continental breakfast, lunch and happy hour will be provided free
of charge!
Why? Low expectations are often the obstacles which stand between
blind people and the desire to succeed; and it is time to change
that perception.
Who? You! – Especially if you are a blind or low vision youth or adult;
have a family member who is blind; a professional in the blindness field; and anyone else who wants to have fun.
Where? LightHouse for the Blind | 214 Van Ness Avenue | San Francisco
When? Saturday august 23 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

RSVP now to Lisamaria Martinez at info@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-431-1481. The first 25 people to sign up will receive a gift card. Limited transportation may be arranged if there is a specific need.