Animal Planet Recap

We have just wrapped up an amazing summer here at Via West, and we went out with a roar during Animal Planet. We made cream cheese penguins, watermelon hedgehogs, sparkle turtles, 3D bird pictures, zebra puppets, rainforests, birds' nests, and bobble head pigs.

We took field trips to the San Francisco Zoo and the McLellan Ranch to get up close and personal with our wildlife friends. Back on campus we enjoyed a relaxing movie night with Madagascar 3.

We went on an animal safari and a scavenger hunt, played the animal name game, animal bingo, and an animal memory game.

We also learned with iPads, had a visit from Bay Area Wild, rode horses, and we splashed around in the Via West pool. To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.

Superheroes Week Recap

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Via West Superparticipants! Superheroes Week has concluded and we learned a lot about what it takes to be a real hero. We made signs illustrating superhero core values, learned the importance of healthy eating by making Incredible Hulk green smoothies, and we put our strength to the test in the Superhero Training Village.

We felt the exhilaration of flying during our field trip to the Sky High Sports Trampoline Park, and we made superhero capes to keep us aerodynamic.

 

We relaxed with a Saturday morning cartoon marathon in our jammies, and we also created superhero flip books, cakes, and decoupage comics frames.

 

We also learned with iPads, rode horses at the Via West corral, and spent some quality time in the Via West pool. To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.

Career Week Recap

Career Week is over at Via West, and we had a blast! We made PC Board models, vegetarian lasagna, and maps of the United States and California. We learned about all of the various jobs at Via West, and we set up and ran our very own Via West Diner and a Via West Carnival.

We also learned about the food and space industries with field trips to Mariani's Hotel and to NASA.

We spent some time learning proper interviewing techniques and how to dress for success, and we tested our knowledge about the working world with Career Week Jeopardy.

We also learned with iPads, met some local firefighters, and got in shape with water aerobics in the Via West pool. To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.

Sun, Sand, and Sea Recap

Sun, Sand, and Sea has just wrapped up at Via West, and we had an amazing time learning all about the different bodies of water and ecosystems.

We made sand dollar necklaces, sea bird sand art, and nature prints. We also rode horses, had a water balloon fight, and decorated the Via West parking lot with some awesome chalk drawings.

We had the best time ever on our field trips to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, laser tag arena, and the Surf Museum.

We also learned with iPads, danced the night away at King Triton's Ball, and, of course, we spent some time by the pool. To see more pictures from this week, please visit our Facebook page.

80s Week Recap

We have just returned from a wild and crazy trip back in time to the 80s! We made Care Bears, Pac Man cake, Star Wars cupcakes, computer models, Orange Julius, and 80s album covers.

We did some Madonna karaoke, played a live Pac Man game and a rousing round of Family Feud, watched E.T. under the stars, and took some moonwalk lessons to prepare us for our Michael Jackson dance and improv.

We took amazing field trips to the Intel Museum, Nickel City Arcade, and Blue Light Cinemas.

We also rode horses, learned with iPads, hung out by the pool, and impressed each other at the talent show. To see more pictures from this weekend, please visit our Facebook page.

All American Extravaganza Recap

Via West kicked off the summer the patriotic way with our All American Extravaganza! We learned and sang some good old fashioned patriotic songs like America the Beautiful and This Land is Your Land.

We made Native American headdresses, catch-it cones, and American flags. We also had a visit from local firefighters and participated in our nation's pastime: baseball!

After a rousing tailgate BBQ at Kelley Park, we watched the San Jose Giants baseball team take out the Lancaster Jethawks with a 7 to 0 win!

We also rode horses, re-enacted the signing of the Constitution, learned with iPads, and enjoyed the talent show.

To see more pictures from this week, please visit our Facebook page.

Wild Wild West Recap

Howdy partners! Last weekend, Via West took a trip to the Wild West and our participants had a darn tootin good time learning how to act as proper cowboys and cowgirls. After kicking off the weekend with a western style campfire, we rode horses, learned how to square dance, and got up close and personal with some animals from the petting zoo.

Deli Dave and the kitchen staff provided us with a Chuck Wagon lunch, and then we had a visit from Clover the Cow, learned how to milk cows & goats, and we even panned for gold.

 

Later, we participated in some rodeo events, like the bull lasso, and then we put our square dancing skills to the test at our hootenanny of a Barn Dance. We also played some cowboy games, learned with iPads, and enjoyed the talent show.

To see more pictures from this weekend, please visit our Facebook page.

CSI Week (Kids) Recap

Something fishy is going on at Via West! Mr. Fluffy McFluff Fluff has met his untimely demise, and our CSI detectives must now track down the culprit!

Participants had a fantastic time last week working the Via West crime scene investigation, outlining bodies, and playing a live clue game. We made high protein smoothies to energize us for the manhunt through campus, rode horses, and took a much needed break to relax by the pool.

We took two amazing field trips to the Sheriff's Department and the Fire Station.

We danced one of the nights away and everyone showcased their abilities at an incredible talent show.

To see more pictures from this week, please visit our Facebook page.

Around our World Recap

From Greece to Mexico to the great state of California, our participants experienced it all this week at Via West. We made tamales and tortillas, Japanese fish kites, Mexican pot dolls, Chinese chicken salad, and origami.

We also learned how to do an original Mexican hat dance!

We took an exciting field trip to the Mission in Santa Clara, and then we indulged in quite the feast at the Yiassoo Greek Restaurant in Cupertino.

We learned Spanish words and Chinese characters, played games from Mexico and Asia, and took a nice California horseback ride in the Via West Corral. Somehow, we still had enough energy left for the dance and the talent show! To see more pictures from this session, please visit our Facebook page.

Medieval Madness Recap

Hear ye, hear ye fair knights and ladies of Via West! Medieval Madness week is sadly over, but such fun was had by all! Participants ate giant turkey legs by the fire and jousted and decorated the maypole during an unforgettable Renaissance Fair.

Everyone learned how to embroider, make candles, and ride a horse just like in the olden days. After learning our own Shakespeare play for a performance, we took a field trip to picnic and watch others tackle the Bard's work at the Shakespeare Festival.

For more pictures, please visit our Facebook page.



Party in the USA Recap

Happy Birthday America! Via West celebrated Independence Day in style with a square dance, a cookout, and America's favorite past time - BASEBALL!

Participants had some fun in the pool, learned about Betsy Ross and the American Flag, made hamburgers and potato salad, sang patriotic songs, and played a Jeopardy game comprised of questions all about our great country.

Everyone had a fantastic time at the San Jose Giants baseball game, and it was so much fun to "oooh" and "aaah" over the fireworks display at the end.

Another highlight of the week was horseback riding in the corral on campus, and who could forget the talent show?

Adaptive Vaulting at Cooper Garrod! Great program for kids with special needs.

A few weeks ago, CVI*,** Saratoga, sponsored by the Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, held its biannual vaulting competition June 25-26 at historic Garrod Farms in Saratoga.  Vaulting, for those who are not familiar (just as we were not until the tournament!) is described as gymnastics on horseback, and is very impressive to see in person.  Thanks to the generosity of Jan Garrod and Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards, all the proceeds from this tournament went to benefit the Via West Campus!

Mt. Eden vaulting team at CVI Saratoga

 During the tournament, I was introduced to several coaches who run an adaptive vaulting program every Wednesday at Cooper Garrod.  One of our very own Via West participants, Galina Griffy, has been participating in this program for about 6 years!  Yesterday, I took the drive over to CG to watch Galina practice with her coach and learn more about the program. She, along with her instructor Kim Dunham and peer aid Jordyn, practiced moves on a stationary barrel as well as on a horse named Soda Pop. 

Galina practices on stationary barrel before her lesson

Peer Jordyn assists Galina getting on Soda Pop

Instructed by Kim Dunham, Galina practices her routine

Galina and Soda Pop

Galina regularly competes in adaptive vaulting competitions, recently taking home 2nd place in a tournament!  Galina's joy when she is caring for horses and practicing her vaulting is infectious.  Thank  you to Cooper Garrod for this amazing program, and we hope that other participants at Via West will be able to take advantage of the fun!