And speaking of summer camps, who would have thought offering a couple of summer camps would have such a profound impact on blind and low vision youth? They are! The campers tell us they form deep connections with each other because they spend quality time with people who know exactly what they are going through since they all have some degree of vision loss. These relationships contribute to the kids’ growth while at camp. You can watch them change between day one and day three. The kids are more confident, outgoing, strong, and independent when they leave. And that’s because of each other and themselves not us. As one mom shared with us after her son participated in the June camp, “Your program changes lives!”
Personally, I get a chance to know the kids better too and I love it! During ski season my interaction with the kids is minimal. I greet them when they arrive, chat a little during their lunch break and then again at the end of the day when I conduct their “experience” interview. I’m lucky if I get 5-10 minutes with each child per two-day ski trip. In the summer I’m spending three straight days with all the kids. I observe how they act, how they interact with each other, how they push and encourage each other. And I’m watching them grow up, just like my own children. These kids, this program, it touches people’s lives. Whether they are eight or 80, every Visually Impaired Participant (VIP) that participates in Foresight’s program has some sort of positive and personal transformative experience. All the volunteers and I get to sit back and watch the magic happen. Pull up a chair and enjoy the show. It’s pretty fantastic.
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By Christine Holmberg, Executive Director Summer is winding down. It happens every year but that doesn't mean I have to like it. The days are still sunny, warm, and inviting but it's the little things that remind us fall is right around the corner. Kids are returning to school, a few leaves are starting to change color, and the highest peaks received their first dusting of snow recently. Yep, that's right, the calendar may say summer but there was a bit of snow up high reminding us that before we know it winter will be here. And that's GREAT news for a ski program!
By Christine Holmberg, Executive Director
2020 is quickly coming to an end and for many it could not come soon enough. To say the last nine months have been challenging is an understatement. There is no need for me to rehash how life as we knew it has been turned upside down. And how there is a faint glow beginning to appear at the end of the proverbial tunnel. We all hope 2021 is drastically different from 2020 but only if it is better than what we just went through. I am a glass half full kinda gal and I choose to remain hopeful that calmer waters are ahead. Just how far ahead remains to be seen but we will get there… eventually. By Christine Holmberg, Executive Director Autumn is officially here and in the Vail Valley the mountains resemble an artist’s canvas brushed with yellow, orange, green and the occasional splash of red thanks to the annual changing of the leaves. As we move into Fall, we reflect over the past six months and the often turbulent ride it’s been. What started off as a fabulous ski season for Foresight Ski Guides came to an abrupt halt at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. While we all know more today than we did back in the early days of March there is still plenty of uncertainty that lies ahead. What I do know is that we, Foresight Ski Guides, will persevere.
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