Fall 2008
The View – Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind
Volume X No 5 Fall 2008
Annual Meeting and Lunch Slated
Members and Friends of the Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind are hereby notified of and invited to attend, our 46th Annual Meeting scheduled for November 1, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. The agenda will include reports from Tom Ciesielski, Oral Hull President, and Jeff Lann, Executive Director, and the selection of new board members whose terms will expire in November 2011.
Recommendations for candidates interested in serving on the board must be submitted to James McCree or Frank Synoground , nominating committee, by October 19, 2008. Recommendations for board positions will also be accepted at the October 4 board of directors meeting. The annual meeting, preceded by a special lunch at noon, $6, is open to the entire community but only current members of the Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind are eligible to vote for board positions.
Everyone is invited to stay the weekend at the park for our November Weekender or to come up just for the day. Round trip transportation will be provided in the Portland area. For more information and to RSVP, please call 503-668-6195 or e-mail oralhull@teleport.com.
Executive Director’s Letter – Jeff Lann
On October 10, 2008 I will be celebrating my second anniversary as Oral Hull’s executive director. There is not a day that goes by that I do not value and appreciate the unique role Oral Hull Park has in our community and how we positively impact people’s lives.
I am very proud of what we do as an organization and how life changing an experience at Oral Hull Park can be. This is particularly true when it comes to our summer camp programs where new discoveries are made and memories created. This enthusiasm and spirit is captured in a soon to be published article by Erin Rumer.
Erin is a Guide Dogs for the Blind staff member and her article will appear in their newsletter.
Oral Hull Summer Camp by Erin Rumer
The adventure began when my husband David who is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specialist for Portland Public Schools was asked to be the Assistant Director for the Adult Adventure Week at Oral Hall Foundation in Sandy, Oregon. The Oral Hall Foundation for the blind began in 1962 and was designed to be a place for outdoor recreation for the blind and visually impaired.
Having some accumulated vacation time saved up at work I decided to partake in the exciting events this week had to offer. Oral Hall has youth camps, weekend retreats and other fun events for adults all year long, and now there is even more opportunities for folks filled with such outstanding and exhilarating activities.
There were several options of different activities to partake in each day that it made choosing difficult. Reading through the schedule of events for the week invigorated me, but I really did not know what I was getting myself into until I really took the plunge (literally) during several events. I can’t believe I actually jumped out of a perfectly good plane during our sky diving trip in Molalla, Oregon, but I did and I would do it again in a heart beat. The free falling experience was out of this world and I will never again feel sorry for myself that I can not drive a car, because I dropped from thirteen thousand feet and free fell for eight thousand feet at 120 MPH before my shoot cord was even pulled.
Now that’s speeding!
This was only one of many amazing experiences I had during this week and talk about checking off adventurous goals on my list of things I want to do during my life. Bungee jumping was a real kick and to get the most bang for my buck I not only leaped from 100 feet in the air, but I did it backwards. Admittedly, I screamed the whole way down.
Riding a Zip Line was also a thrill and offered the sensation of flying like a bird. Okay, maybe a baby bird being throne from the nest for the very first time by it’s frustrated mother, but I loved it!
Learning how to row as part of a team on a dragon boat was exciting and I now have more admiration for the athletes that do that competitively, because talk about upper body strength.
Our white water rafting trip down the Deschutes River was a wonderful combination of smooth mild riding and bumpy wave surfing. My tour guide was even kind enough to pull our raft to the side and let us pick ripe black berries off the vine for a delicious snack before lunch.
The evenings at Oral Hull were just as outstanding as the day’s with professional entertainers who would take your breath away, Karaoke, and singalongs by the camp/fire with smores just to name a few things.
On Oral Hull’s grounds there is a lovely lodge where most meals and entertainment take place. They also have a dormitory rooming up to 48 guests at one time, a rustic outdoor picnic shelter where arts and crafts classes are held, a hot tub room, indoor heated pool, an outdoor track with guide rail, a completely accessible game room and more. It is in this game room I have learned how to play Show Down which is much like an adapted version of air hockey for the blind and now that I’m getting pretty good at it I invite anyone to challenge me to a game.
The main attraction that takes ones breath away at Oral Hull is the Enchanted Garden which consists of peaceful winding paths lined with fragrant and eye complimenting flowers and plants. This accessible garden for the blind and visually impaired provides Braille and large print signs next to each item offering a description of what the plant or flower is that sits before the person and what it looks like.
I invite all to take the Oral Hull challenge and sign up for their Adventure Retreat. There is something to do for everyone. If you’re not as wild and crazy as I am and would still love to be part of a memorable week filled with fun events and activities I invite you to join up with many who are already partaking in a separate vacation week for blind and visually impaired adults at Oral Hull.
If you are interested in obtaining more information about these vacation weeks or to sign up for next summer please contact Oral Hull’s Director Jeff Lann at (503) 668-6195. See you next summer.
More on camps by Jeff Lann.
From Archery to Ziplining our 2008 Summer Camps were a blast.
The results are in and our 2008 summer camp programs were a hit with our campers. Statistically, we had an increase in our attendance by over 50% from our 2006 season and we had waiting lists for each of our sessions. Programs ran the gamut from A to Z with everything in between. Listed below are some of our favorite 2008 summer camp experiences.
Our A to Z List
Archery lessons with Precision Archery
Bungee Jumping from 10 stories up
Campfires and smores
Dragon Boating on the Willamette River with Blind Ambition
“Elton John” concerts featuring Mark Arciero and his band
Fishing for Trout and free throw shots
Gardens of Enchantment
Hiking on the Wildwood Trail and hay rides
Interesting people from the United States, Canada and Mexico
Jane McIver’s drumming workshops
Pam Kriscunos’s, guest artist, crafts projects
Luxuriating in our 14 seat spa
Rick Meyer’s musical concert
Northwest Harmony Chorus concert
Oral Hull Park’s beautiful grounds for walks
Parachuting with SkyDive of Oregon
Quality dining prepared by Chef Becky
River rafting on Class III and IV rapids on the Deschutes River
Showdown Competition and swimming in our pool
Talent Shows and Three Together musical performance
Understanding Oregon’s history at the Oregon Trail Museum
Views of majestic Mt. Hood
Wheel Fun bike riding at Seaside on the Oregon coast
EXploring our universe with Astronomer Mike Orelove
Socializing with Your new and old friends
Ziplining
Membership in the Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind
Now is the time to renew your annual membership.
Membership is still only $20. Benefits include:
• Early registration to special programs including summer camps
• Discounts for Oral Hull programs and merchandise
• Free subscription to our quarterly newsletter
• Knowledge that you are supporting a unique community organization. Oral Hull Park is one of the few blind-specific retreat and conference centers in the United States.
• Determination in Oral Hull’s future. Members vote at the annual meeting for new board positions.
Your 2009 membership card can be yours just by calling Jeff at 503-668-6195
Seen and heard from Oral Hull Park
Our 2008 Lions Barbeque and Family Fun Day was one of the best in recent years. Ideal weather, swimming, live music, good friends (including many new participants) and of course great food highlighted this annual event. Our thanks to the Gresham Lions Supper Club and Parkrose Lions for their culinary skills. We also appreciate the great support from our community,
local Lions Clubs, District O Regional Governor Sharon Elder and the Sandy Kiwanis Club. Congratulations to our committee of James McCree, Bob Sell and Patty Sell.
Recent visitors to Oral Hull Park have made remarks about the new “feel” to our facility. Our new carpeting and freshly painted interior in Rainbow Lodge are very apparent. Other operational expenses of maintaining Oral Park are often unnoticed. The Oral Hull Board of Director’s recently approved emergency funding to replace the engine on our 24 passenger bus. Repairs to our septic system and a new commercial refrigerator are also summer time improvements.
Oral Hull Goes Green
You can help us keep our expense down by limiting your luggage when you visit Oral Hull for a weekender or short stay (3 nights).
Each member/guest is allowed one medium sized suitcase (not exceeding 20 pounds) and two small pieces of hand/carry on luggage on the Oral Hull bus (to be carried on your seat). Necessary medical devices are excluded. Members are to be entitled to one locker in the Morgan Recreation Hall for additional storage.
Lock to be provided by the member. The Oral Hull Foundation is not responsible for personal property. Your cooperation will enable us to limit the number of buses we use for weekend transportation.
Oral Hull Weekender Policy
All Weekender members and guests must be able to attend to their personal needs. If assistance is required with self help skills or transitioning from a wheelchair a caregiver is required. Provision of a caregiver is a responsibility of the participant.
If you are unable to attend our annual meeting and you are a current member of Oral Hull Park consider voting by proxy. Proxy votes must be written, signed and dated and must be given to someone assigned to vote at the board level. Proxy votes must be verified prior to the vote itself and for a specified topic. Proxy votes can only be used for an item that the member is entitled to vote on.
New additions to the Green/Nelson Library include a new Perkins Brailler donated by Albert Rouse and a computer donated by Flora Nelson.
Congratulations to Oral Hull member Jane McIver.
Jane will receive the 2008 Donald Wing Hathaway Lifelong Learning Award from the Hadley School for the Blind on Thursday, October 9, 2008. This award is presented annually to a student who uses Hadley course for self improvement as a means to contribute to society and his or her community.
Fall Weekenders Dates and Rates
Plan on joining us for our Fall Weekenders. We have new activities and special events planned. For specific information please call Jeff Lann at 503-668-6195. Weekend dates are October 4, November 1 and December 6. Members $10 dorm or $15 trailer, plus $15 for 2 meals. Non-members $20dorm or $25trailer, plus $15 for 2 meals. Membership is $20
Transportation Schedule – Reservations required
Saturday morning run
8:20 Leave Park
9:30 Commission for the Blind (12th & Washington)
10:00 Jack in the Box (82nd & Holgate)
10:30 Gresham Transit (8th & Kelly)
10:35 Carl’s Jr. (8th and Burnside)
11:00 Arrive in Park
Sunday return trip
2:45 Leave Park
3:25 Carl’s Jr. (8th & Burnside)
3:30 Gresham Transit (8th & Kelly)
4:00 Jack in the Box (82nd and Holgate)
4:30 Commission for the Blind (12th & Washington)
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