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?

Career Week Recap

Career Week is officially in the books, and what a spectacular session it was! Participants worked with cameras, helped out in the kitchen with Deli Dave, competed in a friendly Jeopardy game, and learned all about money.

Volunteers from World We Dream came and aided Via West staff with helping participants practice job interviews. Everyone had a ball at the dance and quite a few people brought down the house at the talent show!

 

Groups took turns attending a field trip to the Intel Museum where they learned all sorts of interesting facts about technology.

From Intel, it was on to Mariani's restaurant where participants were treated to a luxurious buffet lunch. It was a wonderful time spent enjoying delicious food and time with friends.

For more pictures, please visit us on Facebook.

Cheer and Sports Recap

Via West just held its first children's weekend of the summer, and participants had a blast! After checking in on Friday morning, participants split up to learn cheer routines and to practice shooting hoops for the big tournament on Sunday. Everyone worked super hard and was then treated to a movie night on campus to relax and hang out with friends.

On Saturday, we practiced, practiced, practiced, and we ended the day by tearing it up on the dance floor with the "Athlete's Ball." Sunday was the culmination of everyone's hard work with the Cheer & Sports Tournament. The cheerleaders performed 3 flawless routines and were given pom poms to take home. 15 teams played 3 on 3 basketball games and were given souvenir basketballs. Everyone was awarded a ribbon and went home tired but happy!

Cruise Away Recap

Via West treated participants this session to a fantastic and fun-filled "cruise" complete with games, a casino night, luau, and, of course, a lot of time spent lounging in the pool. Participants took an exciting field trip to the Kaiser Famer's Market to buy lots of lush produce which was later used to make delicious smoothies.

  

On Friday, 17 more participants came on board for the weekend. They joined in on Polynesian Bingo, a camp out under the stars, a disco, and everyone's favorite: the talent show.

We took a second field trip to Golfland USA where everyone was able to try for a hole in one. The rest of the day was spent trying to earn as many tickets as possible in the arcade!

For more picures, please visit our Facebook Page!

CSI Week Recap

Via West kicked off the summer with CSI week from June 4-10th. After a rain filled check in day, the skies cleared and our participants had a blast soaking up some sun and lounging by the pool. Last week was not all rest and relaxation, however. Our participants were put to work learning all of the finer points of crime solving! We took fantastic field trips to the Monte Vista fire station and the West Valley Sheriff's Department, where local firefighters and police officers allowed participants to sit in and on the fire engines and police cars!



The energy soared throughout the week as each group rotated to different activities particular to the day. Two of the biggest highlights were the "Good Guys and Bad Guys" dance on the sports court and the Live Clue game where participants and staff traipsed through the 13 acre Via West Campus searching for clues and solving crimes.



On Friday, we were joined by 9 participants eager to join in on the weekend fun of CSI week. We learned how to make protein rich smoothies, how to outline bodies with chalk, and how to cast footprints like the professionals. Saturday night was the all important talent show where everyone was able to get up and show off their singing and dancing skills.

Sessions 1 and 2 are in the books and now it is time to Cruise Away with Sessions 3 and 4!