2024 Summer Sports Camp Photos

                                        Goalball

Wrestling

                                       

                                      Disc Golf

                                  Rock Climbing

Tandem Biking

2025 Summer Sports Education Camp

SAVE THE DATES !

Maine Organization for Blind Athletic & Leadership Education

2025 SUMMER

SPORTS EDUCATION CAMP

June 18 - 21, 2025

Waterville, Maine

Boys & Girls aged 8-17

Participate in a wide variety of individual and team sports adapted for athletes with visual impairment

Goalball - Swimming - Disc Golf

Track & Field - Tandem Biking

and MORE!

Details coming SOON!

Visit www.mobale.org

 

Summer Sports Camp 2023!

MOBALE Sports Education camp is 2023 was held at the Alfond Youth Center in Waterville, ME. It was a blast!

Disc Golf with Frisbee

Goalball

MOBALE Sports Education camp 2023 took place at the Alfond Youth Center in Waterville, Maine. We had athletes from around the state participate, including junior counselors and volunteers.

All of the athletes participated in track and field events, goalball, dance, swimming, rock climbing and other competitive recreational sports.

We took feedback from the athletes and we will be adding new sports this coming year in 2024.

Looking forward to another fun sports education camp this year  at the Alfond Youth Center in 2024!

Stay tuned for updated information.

2023 athletes and volunteers

More MONALE 2023 Pics

YOU can help MOBALE continue to offer sports education camps.

MOBALE   partners with Hannaford’s CLYNK, bottle return.   Please email MOBALESports@gmail.com and we will mail tags to you.

*Quick and easy donations can be made:

*Send a check to: MOBALE SPORTS   - C/O Amy Giroux 21 Boston Ave Winslow, ME 04901

 

STAY IN TOUCH WITH MOBALE….

LIKE US on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MOBALEMaine/

WEBSITE: www.mobale.org

EMAIL: MobaleSports@gmail.com

 

MOBALE Sports Education Camp 2022!

This year’s camp is at the Alfond Youth Center in Waterville
June 22, 23, 24 2023

Stay tuned for application information

 

SUMMER SPORTS EDUCATION CAMP - VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETES WERE  BACK IN PERSON 2022

In 2022 went live at the Alfond Youth Center in Waterville. We had 12 athletes participate, including 2 junior counselors and 7 volunteers.

All of the athletes participated in track and field event, goalball, dance, swimming, rock climbing and other competitive recreational sports.

We took feedback from the athletes and we will be adding new sports this year in 2023.

Looking forward to another fun sports education camp this year  at the Alfond Youth Center from 6/22-6/24/23!

Stay tuned for updated information.

Photo caption: MOBALE Sports Camp group photo 2022

  VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Sadie Hammond

Sadie has worked with MOABALE for several years. This year she took initiative to teach accessible tennis to the athletes.  

She is willing to jump in and help in other activities as needed. We really appreciate her as part of the MOBALE team!

Photo Caption: Sadie teaching accessible tennis

MANY WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE:

YOU can help MOBALE continue to offer sports education camps.

MOBALE   partners with Hannaford’s CLYNK, bottle return.   Please email MOBALESports@gmail.com and we will mail tags to you.

*Quick and easy donations can be made:

*Send a check to: MOBALE SPORTS   - C/O Amy Giroux 21 Boston Ave Winslow, ME 04901

 

STAY IN TOUCH WITH MOBALE….

LIKE US on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MOBALEMaine/

WEBSITE: www.mobale.org

EMAIL: MobaleSports@gmail.com

 

SUMMER, 2020       …. A Summer Like No Other

 Newsletter:  Vol. 4, No. 1 – August, 2020

SUMMER SPORTS EDUCATION CAMP - VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETES GO VIRTUAL      Just as the MOBALE board was gearing up with plans for the 2020 SEC, New England shut down as COVID-19 struck. It seemed that the SEC would have to be cancelled but everyone put their heads together and came up with a VIRTUAL SPORTS CAMP. Six athletes came to “Zoom” camp for three mornings and got to know each other through ice-breaker and social activities. SEC volunteers lead the athletes in strengthening exercises, yoga, and karate. On the last day, they participated in balance and endurance challenges. A special guest,  Mark Lucas, president of the USABA, joined the group and talked about and answered questions about the many and varied types of athletic activities that blind and visually impaired participate and compete in throughout the country including water skiing and biathalons, a sport that combines Nordic skiing and target shooting with a rifle!

 A HUGE THUMBS UP and thanks to Alicia Stevens, for all her hard work to organize and monitor all the “Zoomers” throughout the event. Thanks also, to the many volunteers who ran the activities and cheered on all the athletes.  CONGRATS to all the athletes, who did a great job keeping up their spirits for this unique event. AWARDS WENT TO: Strongman: Donovan Casse, In the Zone: Sam Cassellius, Most Enthusiastic: Liam Marchesi, Karate Kid: Ben Shamberger, Team Captain: Kayla Giroux, Parent of the Year: Zach Johnson. YOU TOOK IT ON AND GOT IT DONE! 

  VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Sydney Mason

Every year, athletes are asked what their favorite activity is at the SEC, and karate is always high on the list. For the past, 9 years, 17 year-old Sydney has volunteered at the SEC, starting out as camp photographer and gopher. But for the last 3, she has been our martial arts Sensei, which means “teacher”. At age 5, inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers, Sydney began karate lessons. Now, after years of hard work, she is a second degree black belt in Kempo Karate, black belt in Korean Sword and blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu and has won numerous awards at competitions all over New England.  “When I teach people with visual impairments, it makes me think really deeply about all of the moves…I have to use my words at all times”. It is a challenge because Sydney usually relies on students observing and replicating what they see her doing to learn positions and moves. Virtual camp brought a greater challenge in that she could not provide physical help to the athletes. She also got a little taste of what it is like not having visual cues, because she could not see the athletes on her screen. This year was “definitely different…I relied completely on the other volunteers”, Sydney remarked. Karate is very accessible to people with visual impairment and SEC athletes are inspired by Sydney’s dedication to the sport and her high expectations for them to learn and achieve. And, she is their most enthusiastic cheerleader! An unquestionably worthy role model and tireless helper, we are proud to honor and award Sydney Mason, the MOBALE SEC 2020 Volunteer of the Year. Best of Luck in college!

 

MANY WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE: YOU can help MOBALE continue to offer sports education camps…

*MOBALE partners with Hannaford CLYNK, bottle return.  Contact Michelle at 207-208-6354 for labels.

*Quick and easy donations can be made online with PAYPAL

*Send a check to: MOBALE SPORTS   - 899 Middlesex Rd  -  Topsham, MAINE  - 04086

 STAY IN TOUCH WITH MOBALE….               

LIKE US on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MOBALEMaine/                                               

WEBSITE: www.mobale.org          EMAIL: MobaleSports@gmail.com

Download Newsletter as a Word file

MOBALE Summer Camp 2020 Save The Date!

 

Get Ready for MOBALE Summer Camp June 17-21, 2020!!

Group of athletes and volunteers poising on the track after competing
all week at Summer Sports Education camp 2019 in Waterville, ME

MOBALE Spring 2019 Newsletter

Download a copy of the Spring 2019 MOBALE Newsletter 

SPRING  -   2019   Visually Impaired ATHLETES say…
GOODBYE WINTER, HELLO SUMMER!

                 Newsletter:  Vol. 3, No. 1 – April, 2019

WINTER SPORTS EDUCATION CAMP - “SNOW” MUCH FUN FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETES   2019 brought northern New England record amounts of the white stuff and MOBALE blind and visually impaired youth athletes took advantage of it! The Winter Sports Education Camp (WSEC) was held February 10-13 at Sugarloaf Mountain in Carrabasset Valley, Maine. Four athletes and one counselor-in-training attended and participated in the sports of skiing, snowboarding, rock-climbing and, a new sport for the WSEC, ice hockey, which garnered a thumbs up from everyone. CONGRATUALTIONS to athletes, C-Jay Martin and Mason Carlow, who earned first place in their alpine ski/snowboard events and Courtney Skillin, who came away with 4^th place in the 2-Trac guided and unassisted event. It should be noted that the post-test results showed a 5-40% increase in athletes’ knowledge and skills. As with all MOBALE camps, the althletes also gained valuable experience in life skills of self-help, orientation and mobility, and social interactions with adults and peers. THANK YOU to all the VOLUNTEERS who helped to organize, teach and supervise this event. SPECIAL THANKS go to WSEC coordinator, KIM STUMPH, who is stepping down after being at the helm for 3 years. Kim has the ability to be a strong and capable leader, while maintaining her composure and sense of humor. We will miss her.

SUMMER IS ON THE HORIZON as MOBALE staff work hard to get ready for 2019 SUMMER CAMP June 19-22 in Waterville, Maine. We are happy to announce that Camp Tracy and the Alfond Center will offer both outdoor and indoor sports from gymnastics, swimming, wrestling, archery, track and field, to name a few. Also returning for a second year will be a sport introduced last summer, a big hit with all the athletes, beep soccer. For more information about summer SEC or to REGISTER AN ATHLETE visit our website www.MOBALE.org

                               

“V” IS FOR VALUABLE - Volunteers make MOBALE possible

“If you enjoy sport, in combination with supporting and seeing young individuals grow, then simply jump in!” So says James Howard, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Maine Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired and rookie volunteer at the 2018 summer SEC. “I’ve played and coached soccer over 35 years and lessons learned on commitment to the team, technical learning and sportsmanship are life’s building blocks. As a rehab professional, the benefits of participating in sports are vital.” In his profession, James encounters visually impaired individuals seeking gainful employment. With unemployment for this population over 50%, James knows that the most successful clients are those who have foundational life and work skills, self-confidence and perseverance to take on the challenge of competing in the job market. James was impressed with MOBALE’s program and when asked if he would consider volunteering again, he answered, “Absolutely! It was amazing to see so much growth in the athletes both technically and personally in such a short period of time.” 

“V” IS FOR VOLUNTEER  - As a volunteer for the 2019 Summer SEC, you will make it possible to provide a valuable experience for blind and visually impaired athletes to learn and participate in sports in a way that is designed to address their unique needs. But that is only half the story – you will also gain a valuable experience in the satisfaction of seeing the growth and development of these young athletes. WE NEED YOU if you are a responsible adult, like sports, like kids and believe that all youth, no matter what disability they may have, deserve an opportunity to join in the fun and rewarding experiences that sport can offer. For more information and to REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER for summer camp, visit our website www.MOBALE.org  

MANY WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE: YOU can help MOBALE continue to offer sports education camps…

*MOBALE partners with Hannaford CLYNK, bottle return.  Contact Michelle at 207-208-6354 for labels.

*Quick and easy donations can be made online with PAYPAL: https://www.paypal.me/MobaleT

*Send a check to: MOBALE SPORTS   - 225 Chase Rd.  -  Readfield, MAINE  - 04355

STAY IN TOUCH WITH MOBALE….                

LIKE US on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MOBALEMaine/                                       

WEBSITE: www.mobale.org          EMAIL: MobaleSports@gmail.com