<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV><FONT size=2 face=Tahoma>----- Forwarded Message ----<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> David Andrews <dandrews@visi.com><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Fri, February 4, 2011 11:12:39 PM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> [Nfbnet-members-list] 2011 Buddy Program<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
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<DIV align=center>Warm Greetings from BLIND, Incorporated<BR> <BR>It is once again time to start planning for our 2011 Buddy program. <BR>This three-week summer fun and learning program is for children ages 9 to 13. <BR>The dates for 2011 are July 15 through august 6 2011. <BR> <BR></DIV><IMG alt=[] src="cid:1.2801734458@web84107.mail.mud.yahoo.com" width=144 height=115> The Buddy Program offers an opportunity for blind children to make friends and have fun in a positive and secure setting as well as to learn and practice alternative techniques of blindness while building self-confidence. <BR> <BR><IMG alt=[] src="cid:2.2801734458@web84107.mail.mud.yahoo.com" width=120 height=120> The training in alternative techniques includes instruction in reading and writing Braille, basic cane travel, cooking skills, and introductions to independent living skills and industrial arts. Students may learn to pour liquids, carry a
food tray, do laundry, follow a recipe, and much more. Self-confidence and problem skills are gained through building and painting projects such as their own birdhouses and nightstands. Students also participate in "talk time," where they discuss important issues about blindness with blind peers and instructors. This time gives the students a chance to discuss their feelings about blindness, their frustrations with uncomfortable situations, and suggestions for overcoming problems caused by blindness. <BR><IMG alt=[] src="cid:3.2801734458@web84107.mail.mud.yahoo.com" width=120 height=166> <BR>In addition, students participate in many exciting activities in the Twin Cities area, such as visits to the Mall of America, rock climbing, and horseback riding. These activities allow students to develop their socialization skills. Activities are well supervised and mentoring for the children is provided by active blind
role models. Lifelong friendships begin during this brief summer experience.<BR> <BR>During these entire out-of-the- classroom activities during the Buddy program, one of our goals is to teach our students the alternative techniques of blindness and gain the self-confidence that would allow them to return home and actively participate in even more fun activities with their sighted friends. <BR> <BR><IMG alt=[] src="cid:4.2801734458@web84107.mail.mud.yahoo.com" width=144 height=108> Activities are excellent opportunities to teach and reinforce a wide variety of alternative techniques, as they apply to real life, and this learning experience is usually most effective when there is a lot of fun involved.<BR> <BR>If you have questions please call 612-872-0100 (Ext. 251), toll-free 800-597-9558, or email <A href="mailto:cguggisberg@blindinc.org" rel=nofollow target=_blank
ymailto="mailto:cguggisberg@blindinc.org">cguggisberg@blindinc.org</A> . You may complete an application by visiting our website at <A href="http://www.blindinc.org/" rel=nofollow target=_blank>www.blindinc.org</A><BR> <BR>Sincerely,<BR> <BR>Charlene Guggisberg, Coordinator for Youth and Special programs<BR>cguggisberg@blindinc.org<BR> <BR> <BR></DIV></DIV></div></body></html>