An Immersion class enjoys a  meal they prepared

Want to get a jump start on living successfully with little or no vision? Would you like to meet students starting their journey like you? And do it in the world-class Napa Wine Country?  Apply now for one of the spaces available in the Lighthouse's new immersion retreat at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa.

People flying at House of Air

Come kick off the new LightHouse Youth Programs with an attempt to "fly" at the San Francisco House of Air. With the assistance of some top flight House of Air instructors, the kids will jump, bounce, flip and possibly "fly." 

The hour-long lesson will start with the basics of safe jumping and falling, which will then be followed by learning basic acrobatic and aerial maneuvers. Blind and low vision youth (ages 6-16) and transition-aged youth (ages 16-24) are welcome to attend.

Our "fly" time is on Sunday, February 17 from 1 to 2:00 p.m. For more information read the event flyer (link). Space is limited to 10 people so please register early. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Youth Service Coordinator James Gump at jgump@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7372. For more details, visit the LightHouse blog: http://bit.ly/houseofair2013.

Make a personal commitment to yourself and learn new ways to accomplish the activities of daily life. In these classes you will meet blind and low vision peers for a supportive, motivational and enjoyable learning experience! We offer classes throughout the Spring at our San Francisco Headquarters as well as a special immersion session at beautiful Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa.

If you are a Department of Rehabilitation client or are over 55, you may be eligible for these classes free of charge. For more information or to sign-up for any of our training classes, please contact Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7357 or dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org.

For a list of classes, visit: http://lighthouse-sf.org/programs/blind-and-low-vision-training-classes-for-spring-2013/

• Chemistry Camp: May 3 - May 5
• Blind Babies Family Camp:  June 14 - June 16
• Family Camp I:   June 20 - June 23
• Adults with Special Needs:   June 29 - July 3
• Adult/Alumni:  July 5 - July 10
• Family Camp II:  July 11 - July 14
• Kid's Session - 3rd through 8th grad: July 15 - July 21
• Family Camp III: July 24 - July 27
• Teen Session - 9th through 12th grade: July 28 - Aug 3
• Deaf-Blind Session: August 15 - Aug 18

To find out more information, visit our EHC 2013 Sessions List: http://lighthouse-sf.org/programs/enchanted-hills/. 

For questions contact (415) 694-7310 or e-mail EHC@lighthouse-sf.org.

Enchanted Hills Campers enjoying the lake

Would you like to learn how blind people tackle the very visual subject of organic chemistry successfully? Do you have a general love for science? Are you a blind or low vision teenager considering a career in chemistry? Then the 2013 California Chemistry Camp is for you!

When: Friday, May 3, 2013 through Sunday, May 5, 2013

Where: Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa, California

Who: Up to fifteen blind high school students ages 14-18 will be selected to participate

Fee: Free

To read more, visit the LightHouse blog: http://bit.ly/chemcamp2013

Teenager Xander Saravia holds paper cups while conducting an experiment

Angela and her guide dog Tasha

After two and a half years of jobseeking, Employment Immersion Program graduate Angela Griffith has landed a job with Bookshare, a non-profit based in Palo Alto that serve as a national repository for etexts of more than 160,000 books and periodicals. If you are interested in signing up for the service, please visit www.bookshare.org. For more information about Angela, visit the LightHouse blog at: http://bit.ly/angelaemployment.

Your generosity will help generations of LightHouse clients to come

Planned giving and its many forms can be confusing. To make the subject simpler, we are launching a new several-part series: Planned Giving 101, focusing on a few of the most popular methods of estate planning. 

The most common form of planned gift is a bequest, where you state in your will that some amount or percentage of your assets is to be donated to the LightHouse. At the time that the assets are distributed to us, your estate can take a charitable deduction for the amount of the bequest.

The LightHouse for the Blind touches people's lives: helping them acquire skills they need to be independent, self-sufficient, and increase their self-esteem. For that reason, the LightHouse for the Blind has been the proud beneficiary of many donors' thoughtful planned gifts. And if you have already included the LightHouse in your estate, we'd like to know about it.

Won't you remember the LightHouse for the Blind in your estate plans? To request more information or notify us of your intentions, please contact 415-694-7333 or jsachs@lighthouse-sf.org.

Do you have retail experience and knowledge of the products sold at our Adaptations Store? The LightHouse is looking for a part-time sales associate who will take the renowned customer service reputation of our store to the next level. Go here to get the details: http://bit.ly/adaptationsjob. 

Enchanted Hills Camp is  on the look out for a trailer

Enchanted Hills Camp is seeking a donated trailer that can house temporary staff member(s) from April thru October of 2013. For example, one very dedicated volunteer (who is visually impaired and is a former camper), would like to volunteer in our kitchen all summer! All we need is housing.

The trailer needs to be a comfortable insulated sleeping space with some space for personal affects. Extras such as bath/shower, heating, refrigeration would be appreciated, but not necessary. Please contact Tony Fletcher at 415-694-7319 or  afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org. 

To see the Enchanted Hills full wish list click here: http://bit.ly/ehcwishlist

The Castro Lions and the San Francisco Park Presidio Sunset Lions are cohosting a Crab Feed to benefit the LightHouse for the Blind and other charities.

When: Saturday, February 9. Cocktails at 6:00 p.m. Followed by dinner and dancing between 7 and 10:00 p.m.
Where: St Anne of the Sunset at 850 Judah St. at Funston (easy transportation on the N Judah line)

Cost: $50.00 per person, Special Guest Appearances TBA   

Buy your tickets at 1-800-858-5006 or go to BrownPaperTickets.com.

"My thoughts were, 'Whatever happens out of this, we are here to help you - you are my neighbor.' [Working to help Enchanted Hills has brought] the community together."

--Enchanted Hills neighbor Dorian Greenow

A fruitful partnership is growing between Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind and the neighbors on Mt. Veeder.   The neighbors have come together as "Friends of Enchanted Hills," volunteering their time, expertise, hard work and money. And they are connecting EHC with the movers and shakers of Napa County. 

Read more in the Napa Register: http://bit.ly/napaneighbors. 

Six blind backpackers stand on the beautiful beach at Point Reyes National Seashore (from left to right, David Denniston, Henry Pinkard, Sam Wechsler, Joshua Forseth, Jamey Gump, John Liang)

Many blind people have spent much of their lives being sheltered by well-meaning relatives, and discouraged from exploring. The LightHouse's Blind Backpackers Club contests this trend, offering adventurous spirits an opportunity to follow their bliss and take on the challenges of wilderness. See more photos from the trip in our Facebook photo album: http://bit.ly/blindhike. 

Need more inspiration to hike? Read this recent article about a blind hiker who traversed the Appalachian Trail using a GPS device and trekking poles: http://bit.ly/appalachianhiker. 

Come join us! Contact John Liang, Director of Community and Volunteer Services for information on the Blind Backpackers and Outdoor Adventurers clubs, at jliang@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7334. 

Read more at the LightHouse Blog: http://bit.ly/backpackersouting.

Everyone has jammed out at one time or another, whether it was at a wedding or late at night to a song on the radio. Jam Class turns spontaneous jam into practice. 

The class operates by listening to and following the rhythms, soulfulness, funkiness, histories, memories, and many shades of joy that already live inside our bodies. Intended for young adults ages 17 to 30, the only precondition for participants is the ability to stand for one hour. 

Find out more at http://bit.ly/jamclass.

Emmaly Wiederholt, co-dance instructor,  believes in the power of Jam

The Bay Area Blind Community stepped up to the plate during the first annual Bay Area Blind Blood Drive, held on January 9. Blind community members and their sighted friends visited LightHouse Headquarters and eight other Bay Area locations and ultimately gave 54 units of usable blood, more than twice the number of units considered by the Red Cross to constitute a successful drive. The drive was so successful, LightHouse for the Blind intends to make this day of giving an annual tradition. Watch a short television news clip on the drive: http://bit.ly/KICUnews or read more at: http://bit.ly/drivesuccess2013. 

LightHouse Board member Chris Downey has is blood drawn by Red Cross staff member

For years the LightHouse has supplied area businesses and companies with easy to read braille for their business cards.  We also create simple braille fliers and other braille documents. To order or learn more, please contact Greg Kehret, Director of Information Services at (415) 694-7349 or gkehret@lightHouse-sf.org.

Enchanted Hills is a rustic retreat center located on beautiful Mt. Veeder in Napa. This affordable wine country destination boasts a small lake, several rushing creeks, miles of nature trails for hiking, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a variety of breakout rooms for groups from 30 to 150. Year round, it can be used for family reunions, yoga workshops, weddings, spiritual retreats, company off-site meetings or seminars. Yes, we have Wi-Fi! There are flexible service options including tasty, home-style meals and more.

Dates are filling up fast, so book your retreat now to avoid disappointment! Hint: At this time there are a number of open dates in September 2013, when the weather is fine, the creeks still murmur, and the grape harvest begins. Don't miss out! Visit www.enchantedhillsretreat.com or call 415-694-7319.

Read more about Enchanted Hills Retreat. 

Enchanted Hills hiking trail surrounded by greenery