Youth Services
Vista Center Youth Group and Family Activities programs are getting a makeover as the Vista Voyagers Program!
Experience Your World - Embrace Who You Are
Embark on Life with Confidence
Join Vista Voyagers on these FREE 2018 youth events:
Aug 8: Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 1:30 - 4:00 pm Join us for a personalized tour exploring aquarium touch pools, interactive exhibits, and learn about the marine mammals residing at the Long Marine Lab (all ages
)
Sept 15-16: ETC Overnight Kayaking Adventure An unforgettable weekend spent learning how to kayak, exploring Tomales Bay, camping on a remote beach site, and exploring the great outdoors! (ages 14+)
Nov 10: Cane Quest - First ever Northern California Regional Cane Quest Competition! Sponsored by Braille Institute
More Dates to Come
Contact Bethany Small at bwalton@vistacenter.org or (650) 858-0202 x 183 for info & to RSVP.
Listen to Vista Center Director of Youth Services Bethany Small talk about the Vista Voyagers program here:
Vista Voyagers supports developmental growth for youth through the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), nine areas where children with visual impairments require specialized opportunities in order to compensate for the lack of learning by observing others.
The ECC encompasses:
- safe travel techniques
- social interactions
- independent living
- recreation and leisure skills
- career education exposure
- assistive technology
- functional academics
- sensory efficiency skills
- self-determination development
Children who are visually impaired require direct hands-on experience to fully grasp concepts not integrated in their daily lives such as feeling snow and sand, cooking, exploring how animals come in different shapes, sizes and textures, or participating in a sport that requires teamwork. Students are encouraged to develop independence by utilizing their orientation and mobility skills to navigate routes, learning and mastering assistive technology skills to read instructions, and practicing functional academics embedded into the lessons such as measurements or reading braille.
The goal of Vista Voyagers is for each child to develop into independent, well-rounded, and successful adults who contribute to society. These events also enable families to network with each other. The opportunities that Vista Voyagers offer will empower our visually impaired youths to strive for independence and look towards their future with motivation and excitement!
For more information, please contact Bethany Small at 650-858-0202 ext 183
Previous Youth Program Events
Self Defense
Our students received instruction in community safety, being aware of their environment, knowing how to get help, and strategies for avoiding trouble and fending off attacks.
Surfing
Always popular, Ride-A-Wave, a non-profit organization composed largely of volunteer firefighters and police officers who enjoy surfing, spent a day with our students, teaching them to surf.
Kayaking
Our youth group received instruction in kayaking and then paddled around the San Francisco Bay, taking time to eat lunch at an isolated beach.
Holiday Ice Skating Party
Following two hours of ice-skating, our youth group and their families enjoyed food, music, games, contests, crafts, karaoke, and Santa.
A Night at the Museum
Our students spent the afternoon at a local museum and, once the museum closed, brought in their sleeping bags and spent a fun night camping out among the exhibits.
Described Play
Wearing headsets, our students attended a major theatrical production while listening to a narrated description of the action on the stage.
Winter Holiday Party
Our youth group members and their families enjoyed
music, entertainment, dancing, karaoke, games, arts and crafts, good company, and truly good food. This annual event provides an excellent opportunity for Youth Group members, families and friends, grandparents, teachers, prospective Youth Group members, volunteers, and anyone interested in Vista Center to meet and have fun.
Overnights
Overnight events are an especially fun way for our students to spend time together. We have kayaked to Angel Island and then set up camp, and we have also slept in a zoo, in a decommissioned submarine, and near the beach in Santa Cruz.
Braille Challenge
Vista Center is pleased to be a host of the Northern California Regional Braille Challenge. The Braille Challenge is a celebration of braille literacy in the form of a contest among blind school children. The contestants are public and private school students in grades one through twelve.
Divided into five groups based on reading level, the students engage in a fun day of braille challenges that include writing, reading comprehension, chart and graph reading, spelling, proofreading, and word search. Each participant in the Braille Challenge is a winner and receives an award of achievement. The students who achieve the highest scores in each reading level receive prizes and an invitation to participate in the national championship.
This short video clip is of seniors during a timed event where participants are scored on speed and accuracy.
Please note this video is not sped up. They are really that fast!
''TEENS TOGETHER'' GROUP
First Saturday of each month, 1 to 3pm
"Teens Together" is an informal group for teens that are blind or visually impaired between the ages of 12 and 20 years. Together, we will talk about challenges, explore problem-solving techniques, find solutions, and use these strategies to be successful!
Together, we will:
- Focus on solutions for life's challenges as a young adult
- Enhance our independent living skills
- Share apps and technology
- Discover resources and community services
- Identify and address issues related to school
- Explore college and career opportunities
- Work on effective communication skills
- Discuss how to establish and maintain healthy relationships
- Develop coping strategies
- Encourage one another and lend support
- Learn new things and have fun!
For more info contact Lynda Johnson at:
650-504-1650