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Fall 2017 Newsletter

MOBALE October 2017

MAINE ORGANIZATION for BLIND ATHLETIC and LEADERSHIP EDUCATION

VOL 1 No. 3 - October, 2017, www.mobale.org

 

SUMMER Sports Education CAMP 2017- SPORTS EXTRAVAGANZA!

  On June 21, MOBALE welcomed 10 athletes from Maine and New Hampshire to the 2017 Summer Sports Educational Camp (SEC) in Waterville, Maine. They met on Wednesday afternoon at a new venue for accommodations at the townhouses of Thomas College. If you think camp is a “walk in the park”, think again! Here is a sample of a day in the life of a MOBALE athlete…

6:45-Wake up; 7:30-board the bus to Alfond Center for breakfast; 8:00-running, long jump and shot put; 10:30-goalball;12:00-lunch; 1:00-gynmastics, swimming,& rock climbing; 4:00-Wrestling; 6:00-Dinner; 7:30-Bowling; 9:00-Athlete meeting; 9:30-shower; 10:00-lights out and rest up for the next jam-packed day of sporting experiences!

 To that varied list of sports, add archery, martial arts, Zumba and beep baseball and bumpy bus rides where athletes socialize and forge friendships that many will never forget.

    On Saturday, the fun of learning new sports culminated with individual and team competitions, a banquet lunch, and awards. CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s recipients: Athlete of the Year, Kamdyn McCallister and Spirit Award, Courtney Skillin for their skill, perseverance and helpfulness to both athletes and staff.

SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIAL AWARDS: The “Organization of the Year” was awarded to John T. Cyr and Sons Bus Lines of Old Towne for its generous donation of a school bus used to transport athletes among multiple venues. Augusta School District driver, Rolfe Frost, cheerfully commandeered the vehicle of energetic athletes and volunteers from early morning til late at night for many miles during the SEC. In 2012, Cyr & Sons celebrated its founding 100 years ago as a freight-livery business with two horses, hauling lumber from the woods to Old Town Canoe. Over the years, the business has grown to 300 vehicles that travel millions of miles every year. The 2017 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD went to a very special person, Dr. John McMahon, who has had a major impact on all aspects of MOBALE. Besides being the current President and leader of MOBALE fund-raising efforts, John is a tireless promoter of full inclusion of visually impaired people in school, work and community, both professionally and as a volunteer. He is not afraid to get “down and dirty” as a teacher of sports, bringing years of experience and expertise as a competitive wrestler himself, as well as over 20 years on staff of SECs around the United States. John has made an enormous contribution to the operation of MOBALE and, most importantly, as a role model to the youth athletes. THANK YOU to JT Cyr and Sons and John McMahon for being driving forces behind the success of our SEC.   

SUPPORT FOR MOBALE ATHLETES AND PROGRAMS comes from our sponsors: Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Free Masons, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Auxiliary, the IRIS Network and Maine Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired as well as individuals who have made both financial and “in-kind” donations. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP? You may sign up to volunteer your time and/or talents or donate using PAY PAL by visiting our website. We also have a partnership with Hannaford CLYNK, bottle return.  Contact Michelle at 207-208-6354 for labels and help MOBALE to fund our up-coming Winter SEC.

WINTER SPORTS EDUCATION CAMP   Planning has begun for the 2018 Winter SEC which will be at Sugarloaf USA. Youth in grades 3-12 of all skill levels are looking forward to enjoying winter activities including downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating and sipping hot cocoa! Be sure to visit our website for more information on the dates and schedules as well as how to register.
                                      GET IN TOUCH WITH MOBALE….

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

WEBSITE: www.mobale.org

EMAIL: MobaleSports@gmail.com

Download a copy of the MOBALE October 2017 newsletter in Word format
 

MOBALE Maine on Facebook

MOBALE Maine has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MOBALEMaine with updated photos from our recently completed Summer Camp! We all had a great time!

SUMMER SPORTS CAMP TIME!

SUMMER SPORTS CAMP TIME!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

The Maine Organization of Blind Athletic and Leadership Education (MOBALE)  is hosting the 2ND Annual Sports Education Camp for Students with Visual Impairments. 

Who is the camp for:  Blind/visually impaired kids grades 3^rd-12th   

What is the camp:   Sports education for Maine’s visually impaired children. Introductions to bowling, goalball, swimming, track & field, fencing, rock climbing, gymnastics, swimming, martial arts, Zumba, beep baseball, wrestling, and more!

Where is the camp:   The Alfond Youth Center Waterville

When is the camp:   June 21^st  to 24^th, 2017       

  

Volunteer Roles Needed: sports teachers, dorm helpers, general “gophers”, team leaders, set-up crews

Critical Needs:  sport teachers – wrestling, baseball, track/field, fencing,

To Sign-up: MOBALE.org,volunteer section

For questions please contact Amber Mooney , Volunteer Coordinator, at amooney@theiris.org .

MOBALE Spring 2017 Newsletter

  MAINE ORGANIZATION for BLIND ATHLETIC and LEADERSHIP EDUCATION

VOL 1 No. 2 - April, 2017, www.mobale.org

WINTER SPORTS CAMP 2017

On February 12-15, Sugarloaf Mountain Resort played host to five MOBALE athletes with visual impairments at the annual Winter Sports Education Camp. With a big storm forecast, several athletes were unable to make the trip, but those who did, participated in a flurry of snowy sports including alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and ice skating. Athletic days were followed by evenings at the fireside getting to know each other, laughing together and learning about maintaining a healthy lifestyle through eating right and exercise. Guest speaker, Randy Pierce, an accomplished mountain climber from New Hampshire, founder of 20/20 Vision Quest, inspired athletes and volunteers with his message of not letting a disability be an obstacle to living a full and active life.

CONGRATULATIONS to the four MOBALE athletes who placed 1, 3, 4, and 6 placed in the ladies division of the NEVI ski fest (New England Visually Impaired) downhill ski competition. We also had one medalist in snowshoeing.

APPRECIATION: Thanks to the MOBALE board and volunteers, both up-front and behind the scenes, who made this camp possible. Also to Sugarloaf staff, the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center, Maine DBVI, and  POLAND SPRINGS for its generous donation and… to Mother Nature for the SNOW!

ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS

MOBALE elected a new board of directors in February. We are looking forward to an exciting year with new President, John McMahon, at the helm, ably assisted by Lindsay Ball, VP, Amber Mooney, Secretary and Kim Stumph, Treasurer. They will be supported by board members Michelle Mason, Nick Giudice and Jim Phipps.There are 2 vacant positions for which you may send a letter of interest to President John McMahon, email: jspirit12@myfairpoint.net.

 Thanks to out-going board members, Michelle Mason and Aisha Hixon for inspiring us through all your hard work to make MOBALE a viable, thriving and FUN organization!

SUPPORT FOR MOBALE ATHLETES AND PROGRAMS

WHY HAVE  A SPECIAL SPORTS EDUCATION CAMP FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED ATHLETES?

Most basic motor skills are first developed by observing and modeling the movements of others. Interest In sports comes from watching them live or on TV. This puts visually impaired youth at a disadvantage not only in developing motor skills but even in learning about what sports are. The SEC is an alternative model of providing skill instruction in a structured manner for youth who are blind or have low vision. The goal is that once the skills are learned, these youth may be included in community programs. Athletes also learn how to adapt sports to their individual needs.

MOBALE is proud to be able to provide a quality sports education program to visually impaired athletes from all over New England for a nominal fee. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? Our funding comes from corporate and individual sponsors and donations, and fundraising efforts.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? You may sign up to volunteer you time and/or talents or donate using PAY PAL by visiting our website. We also have begun to partner with Hannaford CLYNK, bottle return.  Contact Michelle at 207-208-6354 for labels.

SUMMER SPORTS EDUCATION CAMP    June 21-24, Waterville, Maine

Planning is well underway for our 2017 summer camp that will be filled with a wide variety of fun activities and sports for youth in grades 3-12 of all skill levels. Learn something new or advance your skill and knowledge by downloading registration forms on our website. VOLUNTEERS are needed and you may also register on the website.

GET IN TOUCH WITH MOBALE…. LIKE US on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MOBALEMaine/    WEBSITE: www.mobale.org

EMAIL: MobaleSports@gmail.com

Printable copy of the MOBALE Spring 2017 newsletter