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
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