Game On!

Fall 2019 Newsletter

It’s been a little more than 100 days since our last newsletter and Bustin' Barriers has been busy. We’ve had five week-long summer camps and eight Sundays of fall soccer, and we're getting ready for our upcoming art exhibit featuring campers' amazing work. Read on!

Camp

Campers enjoyed PE games, playground fun, sports, art projects and the ever-popular Friday talent shows. 

Volunteer coaches were awesome – bonding with campers and making the camp experience special, especially for campers who are shy, new to Bustin' Barriers, a bit anxious, or benefit from 1:1 assistance.  Again this summer, our coaching team was inclusive – comprised of coaches who experience disability and their non-disabled peers. In fact, four coaches were former Bustin' Barriers campers and wonderful role models to younger campers.

Outside fun (above) and some awesome coaches (below)

For the Birds? Yep!

This year campers engaged in a special art project. Guided by artist, retired special education teacher and Bustin' Barriers' board member, Marilynn Rhodes, campers painted birds on ceramic tiles that will be displayed and sold at Bustin' Barriers' first public event on December 5th in Portland. We’ve got some talented campers who really loved the project. 

Please come out and join the Bustin' Barriers community for a relaxing evening of art and refreshments. Admission free; donations welcome.

Bustin’ Barriers Children’s Art Exhibit and Sale
Thursday, December 5, 2019
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Murdoch Collections
2219 NW Raleigh Street
Portland, OR 97210

Art and birds – now that's worth laughing about!

Soccer

We just wrapped up another successful fall adapted soccer season. The program kicked off a couple of weeks after summer camp ended and ran for eight weeks at Oregon Premier Futsal in Clackamas. Players ranging in age from seven to 20 gathered for soccer-related activities, a run of the field, dribbling, shooting and scoring goals. Each week, players participated in soccer skill sessions and related games for the first hour with most staying for scrimmage the second hour – getting some goals under their belt. 

Again, coaches made a difference. Whether running hand in hand with players down the field or running a circle in unison in the ever-popular game of duck-duck-goose, our volunteer coaches are stellar. 

Although Bustin' Barriers’ fall soccer season ended, spring soccer is right around the corner! We’re looking at a start date in March and will keep you informed via newsletters, e-blasts and the website. We look forward to seeing our soccer players back on the field and welcoming new players to the Bustin' Barriers family. 

What happens when Halloween and soccer collide? Players dress up!

Volunteer Profile

Meet Jake, an awesome volunteer and student at LaSalle High School who volunteers at both Bustin' Barriers summer camp program and soccer.

Why do you volunteer at Bustin' Barriers?
I started off volunteering after talking about the program with Andrew, the Executive Director of Bustin' Barriers. Once I was at the program, I quickly realized how much I truly enjoyed it. When I’m at Bustin' Barriers, there is never a time that I wish to be somewhere else and I look forward to volunteering at both summer camp and soccer. 

What have you learned from volunteering at Bustin' Barriers?
Through volunteering at Bustin' Barriers I have learned many things. Among them is the value of friendships. I like treating everyone as a friend. Each time I volunteer I learn something new about people and am impressed by how the campers and soccer players are supportive of one another and build friendships.

What’s your favorite activity at Bustin' Barriers?
At camp, my favorite activity is the talent show. Everyone has a great time. Campers enjoy showing everyone their talents - the result of work and practice. It’s fun helping them achieve that goal. At soccer, my favorite activity has been working at the different soccer stations where we work on passing and shooting the ball. Everyone enjoys this and has a good time.

What suggestions do you have for other volunteers?
My suggestion to other volunteers is to put yourself out there and truly be a part of the camp or soccer experience. Becoming friends with everyone makes it more fun and rewarding.

What’s one of your favorite interests outside of Bustin' Barriers?
My favorite outside activity is playing basketball. I am part of my high school basketball team at LaSalle. 

Adapted Basketball Tournament Time 

It’s coming up in February.

Bustin' Barriers adapted basketball tournaments are a community favorite. Teams of athletes run, wheel their way or use their walkers to get down the court in spirited competition and camaraderie. This year we’ll have three tournaments – one for middle school teams, another for high school teams and a transition program competition. 

We’ll be sending out information to schools in December as well as email announcements prior to the events to keep you informed of tournament dates and location. If you are interested in knowing if or how your school might participate, please contact Bustin' Barriers’ Executive Director, Andrew Yoshihara, at 503-869-7112. These are exciting fun-filled days!