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Sports and Recreation

LightHouse News

A Few Spots Left in Enchanted Hills Camp Sessions

We still have a few openings for blind and low vision campers in our Summer 2015 sessions. This summer we’ll offer the most loved traditional camp activities you won’t want to miss, such as hiking, swimming, boating, nature programs, arts and crafts and more. We also have fresh sessions such as Music Academy, a new science-rich track during teen session and our very first Horse Camp (see below).

Sign up online using one of the applications on the Enchanted Hills page of our website. For a hard copy of the application, please contact Taccarra Burrell at ehc@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Cycle for Sight Spotlight – Gena Harper

GenaHarper


Please support Gena Harper in this year’s Cycle for Sight by sponsoring her ride.

We are thrilled to have LightHouse Board member and 2011 U.S. National Para-cycling Team member Gena Harper riding again in Cycle for Sight.

Gena is no stranger to triumph in the face of challenge. She was born with limited vision but this did not stop her from becoming Senior Vice President-Wealth Management, and Senior Investment Management Consultant at Morgan Stanley and one of the few blind people in the U. S. investment industry to win a bronze medal in the National Handicapped Ski Championships.

With her strong commitment to volunteerism and philanthropy, Gena is also a champion for Enchanted Hills Camp. She met her husband Mike May at Enchanted Hills Camp, and they married last year under the redwoods at Enchanted Hills Chapel. She got her cycling start as a tandem rider at Cycle for Sight four years ago. This year she will ride the 25 mile route with her son.

Her words of wisdom to blind cyclists? “Just do it. Get a partner and make it happen. There’s always a way. Work hard and be creative!”

Go Gena! Come out to Cycle for Sight in Napa and watch Gena fly by to her next challenge. Support her in this year’s Cycle for Sight by sponsoring her ride. Simply go to our donation page and select Cycle for Sight as your giving designation. You’ll want to put Gena’s name in the “I want my donation to be dedicated:” field.

LightHouse News

Bay to Breakers Blind Centipede – Looking for Participants

The San Francisco chapter of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is organizing a group to participate in the world-famous Bay to Breakers foot race. Bay to Breakers is one of San Francisco’s premier events. Participants dress up in creative costumes and run/walk a 12 km course through the city. For fun, some participants bind themselves together in what is known as a “centipede,” and dress up in a creative theme. Examples include runners with chairs strapped to their backs pretending to be a roller coaster, runners holding cardboard cut-outs painted as a MUNI bus, and other similar themes.

This year, NFB San Francisco are going to assemble as a blind centipede. They have built a harness contraption made of nimble plastic pipes and hoses that will allow a group of blind people to all move together in perfect synchronicity through the race course. It will be a fun and informative example of what blind people can do when they work together and apply a little bit of ingenuity.

Would you like to participate?

When: Sunday, May 17 starting at 8:00 a.m.
Where: San Francisco
Cost: $54

If you are interested in joining in, or for more information, please contact Tim Elder by phone at 925-784-0512 or by email at eldert@uchastings.edu.

 

LightHouse News

When the Giants Come to Town – You’ll Know Because You Have Your Brailled Schedule

KNBR LogoBatter up! The LightHouse has provided KNBR radio station with brailled copies of the Giants 2015 game schedule.

If you’d like a copy, mail your request to Leah Phillips, KNBR’s Promotion Director, at the address below, and she will send it your way. Or contact Leah at 415-995-6800 or leah.phillips@cumulus.com.

Attn: Leah Phillips
KNBR
750 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111

LightHouse News

LightHouse Gets Fit – Come Work Out With Us at Fitness SF

LightHouse staff stand in front of Fitness SF signIn an effort to bring more fitness opportunities to the blind and low vision community, LightHouse is partnering with Fitness SF to make working out easier and accessible for all.

We all know that being active is a vital component to a healthy life. Going to the gym can be one of the easiest ways to incorporate strength, endurance and cardio components into your exercise regime, but the gym can be an uncomfortable place when you are blind. The challenges come from the awkwardness of navigating through a gym crowded with people and exercise equipment. Additionally many exercise machines are based on inaccessible touch screens, and those machines that are more blind-friendly can still be intimidating to a blind person who is unfamiliar with them. While many gyms offer a one-time tour of the facilities for new members, this typically is not enough for a blind person to get comfortable with the layout of the space and the use of the equipment.

Fitness SF, with six locations all over the Bay Area, including one within walking distance of LightHouse headquarters in San Francisco, is truly committed to working with the LightHouse to make their gyms accessible and welcoming to the blind and low vision community. LightHouse students are invited to go to Fitness SF’s mid-market location to get individualized attention to help make their workout safe, accessible, effective and fun!

Director of Community Services Lisamaria Martinez says, “I’m excited to work with Fitness SF. They are dedicated to working with us and truly understanding the needs of blind people who go to the gym. You don’t typically get this type of willingness to work with a blind individual, let alone an entire community of blind people.”

Group personal training is at 4 pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. RSVP and membership are required for those sessions. Please contact Amber Sherrard at ASherrard@old.lighthouse-sf.org or (415) 694-7353 for more information about membership and classes.

LightHouse News

Clock is Ticking – Last Chance to Sign Up for Cycle for Sight 2015 on April 18

Margie Donovan holds Cycle for Sight 2013 trophy surrounded by members of Team LightHouse

>>Attention LightHouse Youth – See below for special Youth Overnighter at Enchanted Hills Camp

The day is almost here. If you haven’t already, it’s time to sign up to ride in the best bike ride of the year, Cycle for Sight 2015. Cycle for Sight boasts more than 2,000 riders and provides the single biggest fundraiser for Enchanted Hills Camp. Don’t be left out. Come join the largest and most fun group of tandem riders in Northern California to have some fun, get some exercise and support EHC’s life-changing programs.

Sign up at www.cycle4sight.com as a cyclist for Team LightHouse and enjoy the beauty of Napa and the challenge of a 15, 25 or 50 mile route with 2,000 other cyclists. After the ride you’ll enjoy wine tasting from Napa Valley wineries, beer tasting from local microbreweries and local cuisine from Napa Valley restaurants, all while grooving to the sounds of “Pride and Joy”.

When: Saturday, April 18, 2015. The first ride starts at 8:00 a.m.
Where: Starts at Justin Siena High School, 4026 Maher Street, Napa
Be sure to designate “Team LightHouse” when you register.

If you can’t ride, donate.

Thank you to Sports Basement for your sponsorship of this year’s Cycle for Sight! Sports Basement Logo: Born and Raised in SF

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Special Youth Overnighter for Cycle for Sight!
LightHouse Youth ages 14 to 24 are gathering together as a force to join Team LightHouse in the annual Cycle for Sight Fundraiser, in Napa, to raise money for Enchanted Hills Camp. Each youth that registers to ride is invited to spend the night at Enchanted Hills Camp the Friday before the big event. Read about Cycle for Sight on our blog.

When: Friday, April 17 through Saturday, April 18
Depart LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters at 3:00 p.m. Friday, April 17 and return by 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 18
Who: Blind and low vision youth, ages 14 to 24
To participate, please contact Jamey Gump at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372.

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Pilots and Blind Stokers Wanted
Are you 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

House of Air Will Have LightHouse Youth Flying

Back by popular demand, the LightHouse Youth Program is going to the San Francisco House of Air to perfect our flying skills. With the assistance of House of Air top flight instructors we will learn to jump, bounce, flip and possibly fly! Once our flight lesson is complete we will spend some time “recuperating” at Chrissy Field while enjoying a picnic lunch.

Who: Low vision and blind youth (ages 8 to 18)
When: Sunday, April 26, depart LightHouse at 10:00 a.m. and return by 3:00 p.m.
What: Jumping lesson at the House of Air in San Francisco
Waiver: Each participant must have a parent fill out the House of Air’s online Parent Waiver by going to http://www.houseofair.com/waiver/ as well as a complete LightHouse Youth Program Application
Cost: $35.00 per person (includes a 30-minute safety and skill lesson followed by a 30-minute jump)

Space is limited to 10 participants. Please RSVP by April 15, to Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372.

Things to bring

  • $5.00 cash or clipper balance for bus fare to and from House of Air
  • Bag lunch to eat at Chrissy Field after our flight lesson
  • Bottle of water
  • Warm layers of clothing
LightHouse News

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

LightHouse Youth – enjoy an exciting afternoon of baseball as the Cal Bears (Berkeley) take on the Stanford Cardinal in one of the most famous Bay Area rivalries. Youth and their families (siblings too) are welcome to participate in America’s favorite pastime. Families that attend will also have the opportunity to network and foster new friendships with each other.

Who: Low vision and blind youth up to 18-years-old and their families
When: Sunday, April 12, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at Downtown Berkeley BART Station at the southwest corner of Central and Shattuck.
Game Location: Evans Diamond Stadium, located on the Southwest corner of the U.C. Berkeley Campus, between Edwards/Goldman Field Track Stadium, Haas Pavilion and the Recreational Sports Facility.
Waiver: Each LightHouse youth participant must submit a Youth Program Application if they have not done so already.
Cost: $5.00 per ticket, additional cash should be brought if you wish to purchase food.

To reserve tickets, families must RSVP with Youth Program Coordinator Jamey Gump before April 5. Please call 415-694-7372 or email jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org to reserve your tickets now.

Those who RSVP are welcome to gather at the Downtown Berkeley Bart Station at 1:30 p.m. and travel to the game as a group. Families that wish to travel directly to the game must contact Jamey Gump to arrange ticket pick-up.

LightHouse News

Springtime in Napa – Enchanted Hills Retreat in the Prettiest of Seasons

Paddle boats on Lake LokoyaDue to some (vary rare) cancellations, Enchanted Hills Retreat is available the weekend of March 21 to 23rd and May 15, 16, and 17th. Snatch up these prime dates and enjoy the comfortable accommodations, great food and extravagant beauty of Napa in its vernal glory.

Spring has sprung and Enchanted Hills is donning its rich tapestry of the season. The hillsides have gone green, wildflowers are beginning to bloom and the birds are singing. What a great time of year to reunite with friends, family, colleagues or any group in need of a get-together.

A stay at Enchanted Hills Retreat will make you feel renewed and virtuous. Why? The clean air and babbling springs will make you feel refreshed. But also your retreat sojourn supports the unique programs of Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind. This summer these offerings include a new session of horse camp for blind horse aficionados, the first ever STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) camp for budding blind scientists and hands-on wood working in our new Arts Barn.

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

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

Margie Donovan holds Cycle for Sight 2013 trophy surrounded by members of Team LightHouseMeet Longtime Enchanted Hills supporter and Cycle for Sight Rider Margie Donovan.

Margie Donovan makes Cycle for Sight a priority every year. “I absolutely love the event,” she says. “It is well-organized and I love how Team LightHouse brings visibility to the blind community.”  This year she will ride 25 miles on a tandem bike with her significant other, RC, as her captain. The pair is popular out on the course due to all the work they do with Enchanted Hills Camp.

Margie started off as a camper and has volunteered at family camp for at least twelve years. She and RC started the kayaking program, and she has run support groups for parents and teens. She especially enjoys working with female campers and mentoring them as they grow up. She’s made lifelong connections with many of the campers she’s met at Enchanted Hills.

Two years ago, Margie, along with the rest of Team LightHouse, took the cup for having the largest team at Cycle for Sight. It was an emotional achievement after all her years of service. Last year, she decided to raise money for another rider, one of her campers at Enchanted Hills. One of her favorite things about the ride is “seeing all the campers out on the course and then racing them in little spurts along the way.”

Go, Margie! We can’t wait to see what she does this year.

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

Join Team LightHouse and ride in Cycle for Sight 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.