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.

Cinco de Mayo Recap

Hola amigos! Via West celebrated Cinco de Mayo last weekend to close out the 2012-2013 weekend program season. We kicked off the fiesta with some Mexican flag and jeweled paper banner crafts and a movie to teach us about the history and the different traditions of the Cinco de Mayo holiday.

We played some rodeo games, rode horses, made Mexican hat magnets, learned how to make tamales, and we threw a wild and loco Mexican carnival!

After a grand taco bar dinner and getting pampered with manicures and makeup, we danced the night away at the Mexican Fiesta Dance.

We also made colorful tissue flowers, learned with iPads, and enjoyed the talent show.

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

Wide World of Sports Homecoming Recap

We had quite the rush of adrenaline last weekend at Via West as our adult participants joined together to learn about and play 3 different popular sports! We kicked our Sports Homecoming weekend off by hand crafting gorgeous corsages and boutonnieres to wear to the homecoming dance.

We learned the finer aspects of football, basketball, and baseball by practicing sports drills in each. We also squared off against each other to put our skills to the test in campus wide football, basketball, and baseball games.

After delighting in the wonderful food provided by Deli Dave and the kitchen staff at the homecoming banquet, we dressed up in our Saturday night bests and danced the night away.

We also made some fun take home projects, such as felt footballs, learned with iPads, and enjoyed the talent show.

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

Zoo-Fest Recap

Lions, tigers, and Via West staff members, oh my! Things got a little wild at the March 8th Zoo-Fest weekend, as we surrounded ourselves by all things four-legged, no-legged, covered with fur, and covered with scales. We kicked things off Friday night with our opening campfire, and then jumped right into all of the animal fun on Saturday with a field trip to the Happy Hollow Park & Zoo.

We got up close and personal with all sorts of creatures, revved up our adrenaline with the roller coaster and other rides, and had fun hanging out with and making new friends.

 

Once back on campus, we spent some craft time painting animal key chains and stitching zebra puppets to bring home. Afterwards, we all let our wild sides roar with the Animal Ball.

 

On Sunday morning, we played an animal name game, went on a camouflage and endangered animal scavenger hunt, learned with iPads, and expressed ourselves through the talent show.

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

Be My Valentine Recap

Love was in the air as Via West celebrated Valentine's Day with our adult participants during the February 22nd weekend. We kicked everything off on Friday night with a card-making party! Everyone created decorative boxes and special Valentine's cards to exchange with each other and with friends and family at home.

We spent some time on Saturday morning learning the culinary art of making fancy croissants with ingredients like chocolate, strawberries, jams, and even jalapenos!

We took a fun-filled field trip to the Sweet Passions Bakery and spent the rest of the afternoon at Roosevelt Park enjoying various games and exercises.

Once back on campus, we prepared for the Sweethearts' Ball with spa time for the ladies and some time in the gym for the men. Everyone had a wonderful time dancing the night away and spending time with friends.

On Sunday morning, we packaged and priced our fancy croissants to sell to parents and caregivers at our check-out bake sale, spent some time learning with iPads, and showed off our skills at the talent show.

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

Wild Science Weekend Recap

Via West kicked off the new year last weekend with our Wild Science Weekend. We spent time in our laboratory concocting all sorts of wild and crazy experiments, including learning how to use salt to make ice cream in a plastic bag!

We took a field trip to the San Jose Tech Museum where we played and learned about lights, rockets, earthquakes, and more.

Once back on campus, we held our own science fair where did more experiments and made fun take home projects, like lava lamps and crystal pictures. The weekend would not have been complete without the dance and talent show. We also went on a scavenger hunt, learned some cool science iPad apps, and fired off some baking soda bottle rockets.

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

Nassreen Zarea to Receive Hope Services Award

Exciting news from the mom of Nassreen Zarea, one of our Via West participants and counselors-in-training:

"I am proud to announce that Nassreen was nominated to receive the Larry Schott award and was chosen by the family to be this year’s recipient. Larry Schott Humanitarian Award is in memory of Larry Schott, a longtime HOPE trustee and a true advocate for HOPE’s clients, he believed in doing good work for people and this award was created by his family to honor others who choose to volunteer their time.

According to the director of HOPE services, this is a huge honor as HOPE serves more than 2800 individuals each day and only one person is chosen annually for this award! She will be honored at an awards luncheon in December. The Schott family will be represented by approximately 25 family members and all of the SVDN staff and clients will be there to celebrate Nassreen’s accomplishments.

We are very proud of Nassreen and thank you all for your part in supporting her in every area of her life!"

Congratulations Nassreen!

Harry Potter Halloween Recap

Expelliarmus! Our young witches and wizards spent a frightful and fun-filled weekend at the haunted Via West Castle. We competed in a live chess game, brewed potions, hatched dragon eggs, and made magic wands to cast our Halloween spells.

On Saturday, we took a field trip to Giordano Farms where we rode on the train, learned about animals in the petting zoo, and everyone picked the perfect pumpkin to take home.

Back on campus, we played a rousing game of Muggle Quidditch, searched for magical creatures with our Bowtruckle and Niffler treasure hunt, and we used iPads to learn all about Harry Potter and Halloween.

Things got a little bit spooky at the Shrieking Shack haunted house and then everyone boogied on down at the Goblin Gala. To round out the weekend, everyone was able to pose for a picture with Professor Dumbledore!

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

Is it Time to Clean your Closet?

Via West is looking for some items to jazz up our dress-up closet for dances, talent shows, and performances during weekend and summer programs. We can use any kind of dress-up clothes for children, teens, and adults. We welcome, in particular, prom gowns, cocktail dresses, cheerleading uniforms, square dance attire, and Halloween costumes.

We greatly appreciate any and all contributions! Please bring your dress-up clothes to the main office at 2851 Park Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. You may also send clothes with your participant to weekend programs and we will collect them at check in.

Creative You Recap

Summer 2012 at Via West is officially in the books! We just wrapped up our final session of the summer - Creative You. It was a jam packed weekend filled with maracas, yogurt pops, and cookies. We made bookmarks and flower vases and we played a rousing game of Jeopardy.

We twisted and conga lined at Friday night's dance, and we spent a little time lounging in the pool.

The highlight of the weekend was the talent show which was full of some top notch acts.

Thank you so much for sharing your summer with us, and we will miss you all....until we see you again in the fall for weekend programs, that is!!!

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

Let's Explore the Seven Seas Recap

Ahoy Mateys! Via West set sail last week to explore the seven seas, and explore we did! We made sea creatures, jello fish bowls, 3D aquariums, Japanese fish mobiles, and a super scrumptious "under the sea" cake.

We went on a treasure hunt, danced with Ariel at our "Little Mermaid" dance, and we had a blast eating popcorn and playing games at the "Poseidon" carnival on the sports court.

We spent a day fishing at Lake Elizabeth, and we got up close and personal with some sea creatures at the Santa Cruz Seymour Center. We had a water cannon fight outside in the sun, and we bubbled to the surface for the talent show.

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

Creative You Recap

Creative You had a little something for everyone this week! Participants made flower vases, frozen pops, maracas, cookies, terrariums, and bookmarks!

 

We had some major fun in the sun with a water balloon fight, time spent at the pool, and a carnival, complete with a bouncy house, of course.

We really got in touch with our creative side when we visited the Children's Discovery Museum for a fun and learning filled field trip.

Creativity went through the roof as everyone showcased their talents at the talent show.

To see more pictures from the week, 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.