BVRS Summer Youth Programs
Students enroll in the Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training Program. Some students spend half a day exploring vocations by working a variety of summer jobs with pay.
It’s a time of great discovery as students learn how to become more independent, enjoy fresh experiences, develop new skills, and have fun with each other and sighted teen volunteers in a number of planned recreational activities that are supervised by adult staff and volunteers.
On a very warm evening in July, students enjoyed the wind in their faces and the thrill of speed as they took turns riding on the back seat of bicycles built for two.
It was a race with all winners as three adult volunteers pedaled furiously around BVRS' empty parking lot at the end of the day with students taking their turns on the back seats.
"I've ridden a bike before, but not a tandem and this is much better because I don't have to work so hard," said student Michael DeFazio, from Greenfield, who was treated to a ride by volunteer Patrick Macedo, of Mt. Lebanon, pictured top left.
It was heave ho for teen volunteers Ashley Wolford, left, and Kelly Rogan, right, who got the bike started with a big push for volunteer Tim Hughes and Bretton Hilty who is enjoying the ride, pictured above left.
Students await their turns as volunteer Bill Ehler pauses to change riders, right. Adult volunteers Patrick Macedo and Bill Ehler are both members of the Mt. Lebanon Cycling Club.
In the teaching kitchen during household arts class, Atasia Spalla, of McKeesport, learned how to make a trifle by layering strawberries, blueberries, angel food cake and pudding, something she did not know how to do before coming to BVRS.
In kinesiatrics class, Eileen Bender teaches students how to exercise properly for maximum balance and overall fitness. "Do you know how much of your lungs you use during the day when you are here studying?" Mrs. Bender asked. "Only about a third. You need to take deep breaths periodically so your body performs well."
At the end of a healthy work out, Michael DeFazio, 16, and Sikira Scheetz, 16, of New Kensington, enjoy a long, cleansing stretch.
During evenings and on weekends, with adult supervision and sighted teenage volunteers, the students are involved in an active recreation schedule that has included Kennywood, YMCA Camp Kon-o-kwee/Spencer, and blind darts at BVRS.
The five-week residential Summer Youth Programs are offered in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services and Life’sWork of Western PA.