Winter Sports Camp is Coming!!

FEBRUARY 9TH –12TH, 2020

WINTER SPORTS EDUCATION CAMP

WINTER SEC
Come join MOBALE at the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center in Carrabassett Valley, ME. We will be participating with Maine Adaptive Sport’s Nevi*Fest to educate our campers on skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. MOBALE will provide meals, nutritional education, and instruction in Blind Hockey!

Spread the word! Download the flyer.

Athlete Registration

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

Summer Sports Education Camp 2019

Save The Date!!

2019 Summer Sports Education Camp!

June 19-22. 2019

at

The Alfond Youth Center and Campy Tracy

Please visit www.mobale.org to complete athlete or volunteer applications!

Applications Due by June 3^rd, 2019

Register NOW for 2019 MOBALE Sports Education Camp

Spread the word! Download a "Save the Date Summer Camp 2019" flyer!

Check out the 2019 Summer Sports Education Camp Schedule

2019 MOBALE Winter Sports Education Camp

MOBALE is pleased to announce our collaboration with the Adaptive Outdoor Education Center and Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation NEVIfest program to facilitate 2019 MOBALE Winter Sports Education Camp. 

There are limited spots, so please fill out BOTH application packets (for MOBALE AND MASR) and get that information back to MOBALE ASAP. Deadline for MOBALE to receive your application packets is February 1, 2019.

1. MOBALE Athlete Winter Application Package 2019

2. Maine Adaptive Sports Participant Application (MASR) for 2019

if you are interested in volunteering, submit this MOBALE 2019 Winter application

Please send your completed packets to:

scan and email:

Mobalesports@gmail.com

or snail mail:

MOBALE 
225 Chase Rd
Readfield, ME 04355

Below is the tentative schedule.

Sunday, February 10

4:00 – 5:30 PM    arrival and check in with MOBALE atAdaptive Outdoor Education
Center (AOEC)

4:30 – 5:45 PM     check in with MASR NEVIfest at theRack

6:00 – 7:00 PM     NEVIfest welcome and Pizza Party at  the Rack

7:15 – 8:15 PM    MOBALE balance class/ pretest

8:30 – 9:00 PM    MOBALE athletes meeting at AOEC

9:00 – 9:30 PM    shower/prepare for bed

9:30 – 10:00 PM    staff meeting

10:00 PM        lights out

Monday, February 11

8:00 – 9:30 AM     continental breakfast at the Lodge

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM   NEVIfest ski instruction

12:00 – 1:00 PM  lunch provided by MOBALE 

1:00 – 3:00 PM     NEVIfest ski instruction

4:00 – 5:30 PM     Bowling at the Sugar Bowl in
Carrabassett Valley

6:00 – 7:00 PM    supper at AOEC

7:15 – 8:45 PM    nutrition seminar

9:00 – 9:30 PM    MOBALE athletes meeting

9:30 – 10:00 PM    shower/prepare for bed

9:30 – 10:00 PM    MOBALE staff meeting

10:00             lights out    

Tuesday, February 12 

8:00 – 9:30 AM     continental breakfast at the Lodge

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM   NEVIfest ski instruction 

12:00 – 1:00 PM lunch provided by MOBALE at AOEC

1:00 – 3:00 PM     Nordic ski instruction/Snowshoeing

4:00 – 5:30 PM     ice skating instruction/ intro to hockey

6:00 – 7:00 PM    supper at AOEC

7:15 – 8:45 PM    activity and post test

9:00 – 9:30 PM    MOBALE athletes meeting

9:30 – 10:00 PM    shower/prepare for bed

9:30 – 10:00 PM    staff meeting

10:00 PM        lights out

Wednesday, February 13 

8:00 – 9:30 AM     Continental Breakfast available in theLodge 

9:15 AM         NEVIfest Group Photo 

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM  Crothers Challenge and Ski Clinics 

12:00 – 1:00 PM     MOBALE awards party and farewell

A Runner on a Mission

Simon Wheatcroft is a runner ffrom the UK determined to test the limits of of running as a blind athlete. In the article linked below he considers himself a 'test pilot' of various techniques blind runners might use to stay in the game: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/running-blind-marathon-runner-simon-wheatcroft/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6i&linkId=62009183