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Woods Keeping Summer Active through New Recreation Programs

 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our residents at Woods are unable to take field trips and visit sites this summer like they traditionally have in the past. Thanks to the collaboration of our recreation department and maintenance team, Woods has replicated those community experiences for our residents to enjoy on campus.

 

This summer, Woods has transformed our campus to create an outdoor-friendly recreation experience for our residents, who range from as young as five to over 80 years of age. Several outdoor installations have been built by our maintenance team, which provide entertainment and education for our residents while also keeping them physically active.

 

One of those new installations is a nature trail, which winds through the woods and allows our residents and caregivers to appreciate the tall and impressive trees on campus. Midway through the trail is a clearing for Woods’ new outdoor classroom, which has already been used to kick off the first week of outdoor learning with a lesson on a live boa constrictor!

 

That’s not the only animal that has visited the campus recently, though. A large fenced in barnyard was also built as part of the recreation program, where our residents have cared for three alpacas, three baby goats, horses, and chicks. Residents have also built homes for toads through arts and crafts and have even received a visit from a one-year-old box turtle.

 

The barnyard and the nature trail have been received very well so far from the residents as well as their loved ones who have been able to start visiting the residents again late June, according to Beth O’Toole, assistant vice president of recreation and aquatics. “We’ve heard nothing but good things,” she said. “Families could walk over to the barnyard, and the reactions from their parents have been awesome.”

 

The barnyard and nature trail are just two of many activities that Woods residents can experience this summer as part of their recreation program. Woods’ new sensory garden, planted with lavender and mint to smell, also provides them a chance to see its wind spinners and hear its wind chimes. A 9-hole miniature golf course has also been installed on campus for their enjoyment, along with an outdoor movie theater that can accommodate groups of 10 while keeping the residents socially distant.

 

Woods’ recreation department is comprised of a team dedicated to providing a fun, educational, and safe environment for our residents. O’Toole started at Woods as a lifeguard while completing her freshman year at Clarion University. Now, holding a degree in special education and early childhood education, O’Toole has combined her passion for teaching children with years of experience at Woods to bring a variety of activities to Woods’ backyard. One may think that creating this recreational space in response to the pandemic was a daunting task, especially given the short time period. However, the project was looked at as more of an opportunity than a challenge, said O’Toole. “We were given the opportunity to step back, take a look at things, and ask ourselves, ‘How can we be as accommodating as possible to our residents? How can we make this the best summer ever?’”

 

The enhancements to the recreation program did not begin with building the outdoor facilities. Earlier this year, O’Toole and her team at Woods responded quickly and creatively to residents having to be quarantined in their residence facilities due to the pandemic. The recreation department started a daily television show called Woods World News that aired in the residence halls and includes a segment on world news and a message from our staff members to give our residents an opportunity to still see their faces. Boredom buster jars were sent to our residents with packets and activities, as well as themed baskets for movie nights and spa packages.

 

Now that our residents can have some outdoor fun this summer, Woods’ highly sought-after outdoor swimming pools (Brown Hall and Oakwood) have also reopened to add to the exciting news. Although the number of residents allowed in the pools at one time has decreased to encourage social distancing, the pools are still presented as another option for our residents to have some fun in the sun.

 

Thanks to our recreation department and maintenance team, our residents will have a summer to remember!

Second Annual Race Day at Woods Slated for August 13th

Local Sprint car racer Brett “The Hammer” Michalski and his crew from JR Michalski Heating and Air Conditioning in Hulmeville, return to Woods on Tuesday, August 13, for the second annual “Race Day at Woods” – an opportunity for Woods residents and students to explore sprint race cars and learn about the sport of racing from the 2018 Lincoln Speedway Rookie of the Year.  Part of the daylong visit will include the opportunity to join in celebrating Michalski’s recent victory – his first 410 sprint car win, which took place at Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Pa., on June 8.

 

Throughout the daylong visit, the Woods participants will also have an opportunity to get a close-up look at Michalski’s race car, which sports the Woods logo, as well as multiple 410 winged sprint cars, a micro sprint car, and quarter midget cars.  New this year is a race car simulator, which will allow the race enthusiasts to experience the sensation of car racing.  Michalski and his crew will also teach about proper race car care, and take pictures.  All of the excitement will lead to future Woods outings at New Egypt Speedway races, thanks to tickets donated by JR Michalski Heating and Air Conditioning.

 

“It’s an honor and privilege to give back to the community and Woods, and also be able to explain the sport of racing,” Joe Michalski said.  “We hope the outcome of our visit brings awareness of the sport and lets the children have a good time and experience.”

 

5th Annual Run for Woods Slated for May 4th!

A One-Mile Fun Run/Walk, Post-Race BBQ and Celebration Add to the Fun

 

Woods Services in Langhorne, Pa., invites runners, walkers and rollers of all abilities to participate in the Run for Woods 5K presented by Faulkner-Ciocca Dealerships at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2019.  The 3.1-mile flat and fast course starts and finishes on the Woods campus in Langhorne, traveling through the tree-lined streets in the borough’s historic district, which is listed on the National Register.  Cash prizes will be awarded to the race’s top three male and female finishers.  A pre-race continental breakfast and opening ceremony, one-mile Fun Run/Walk, post-race celebration and BBQ lunch courtesy of Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse, race medals and t-shirts are all part of the fun.  The event is expected to attract 1,000 participants and raise $200,000 for Woods Services, a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury.  It will also raise awareness for Woods Service’s continuum of care, which focuses on integrated healthcare, prevention, wellness, education, behavioral health, social services and housing.

 

“Building on more than 100 years of experience, Woods is making transformational changes and investments to better meet the needs of the 675 individuals we serve,” said Woods President and CEO Tine Hansen-Turton.  “We are grateful to the running community, our Bucks County neighbors and our sponsors for their support of our 5th annual Run for Woods 5K.  Their participation assists us in providing exceptional educational, vocational and recreational opportunities that enrich lives and increase independence,” she said.

 

Registration is now open at www.runforwoods.org.  Fees for the 5K and one-mile events for adults and children over age 12 is $45 by May 1, $50 on race day, and $25 for kids 12 and under, and includes an official race t-shirt, finisher’s medal, and post-race

celebration/BBQ.  Children six and under can participate for free, but free participation does not include a t-shirt or medal.  Participants, community members and business are also invited to underwrite participation for a Woods resident and his/her support staff member with a donation of $90.

 

Registration/check-in opens at 7:00 a.m. on race day, with power bars, yogurt, fruit, juice and coffee provided.  Participants should leave time for parking and getting to the start line, planning to be in place by 8:40 a.m. for the opening ceremony.  The 5K starts promptly at 9:00 a.m., and the Fun Run/Walk steps off at 9:10 a.m.  The post-race celebration and BBQ continue until noon.  Cash prizes for top male and female finishers are $125 for first place, $100 for second, and $75 for third.  Age-group finishers will be

announced on stage.  Trophies will be awarded for largest team, top individual fundraiser, and top team fundraiser.

Woods to Host Special Needs Pageant on Saturday

SATURDAY, MARCH 23: TIARA’S LOVING CHILDREN SPECIAL NEEDS PAGEANT

 

WHEN: Saturday, March 23 from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.  

WHERE: Woods Services, 40 Martin Gross Drive, Langhorne, PA 19047 (Gardner Education Center)

 

On Saturday, March 23, more than two dozen contestants, including individuals from Woods Services in Langhorne, will compete in a special needs pageant coordinated by Tiara’s Loving Children, a nonprofit organization created to give children and adolescents with special needs a pageant experience.  The event, with this year’s theme of “Fairytales,” invites participants from the community to join in the fun in three categories:  formal wear, casual wear, and fairytale-themed outfits.  Participation is free for contestants, but advance registration was required.  Admission for guests is $7, with children ages three and under free.  This is the second consecutive year that the event is hosted at Woods Services in Langhorne.

Luis’ story: “With persistence, anything is possible”

Woods resident Luis Perez and staff member Musa Kamara have spent five days a week together for the last 10 years. During that time, the pair has weathered many storms and celebrated numerous successes. But the road to the increased independence and expanded opportunities that Luis now enjoys was not always an easy one. He came to Woods more than a decade ago with limited communication and inadequate coping skills and has made extraordinary strides since his arrival.

 

“Since I met him 9 year ago, Luis has made consistent and significant progress in regulating his emotions which allows him to cope with a wider variety of situations,” said Woods’ Residential Program Care Coordinator Erin Caraballo. “He has also made great progress in his ability to communicate. Now, he can say a few full sentences such as ‘what are you doing?, which shows the amazing growth he has made through the years.”

 

When Luis first came to Woods at the age of 18, he required two or more staff members to accompany him on off-campus trips. He also required a dedicated 1:1 staff member, Musa, to be with him during his time spent at Woods’ Holland Enrichment Center, a life skills day program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are retired or unable to work.

 

Luis’ Care Coordinator at Holland, Christina Santana, says the staff was so impressed with Luis’ progress over the last year that he no longer requires a dedicated staff member and now spends his days with Musa and another Woods individual. Caraballo credits Luis’ entire care team, including Musa, Santana, Holland Instructor Marieflore Chatelier, and Residential Counselor Eddie Lynch with the progress he has made since arriving at Woods.

 

“Things that have helped Luis’ progress include a structured day, regular physical activity (walks, playing basketball, riding a tricycle), water play, and a modification of his environment,” said Caraballo. “Through consistent 1:1 staffing, the utilization of a Behavior Support Plan and the constant support of his residential and day program staff, Luis has exhibited a noted decrease in his tracked behaviors which has made it possible to begin the process of fading his 1:1 staffing,” said Caraballo.

 

“Since Luis has been in a group of two, his personality has begun to truly shine. He has been smiling more and there has been a noticeable difference in his communication skills,” said Santana. “Luis has even started a job at Holland of assisting his instructor with collecting data on a daily log for each classroom.”

 

In addition to assisting Chatelier with the daily classroom logs, Luis has also been instrumental in keeping the classroom tidy and watering the plants, two skills that helped him to secure a volunteer position outside of Woods.

 

“Due to his behavior stability, Luis also started a volunteer opportunity cleaning up at Silver Lake Nature Center in Bristol,” said Santana. “He has done extremely well and actively participates. This is a major accomplishment for Luis and we are all so proud of what he has accomplished!”

 

Though it may no longer be just the two of them, Luis and Musa remain close and are enjoying their bond more than ever before.

 

“Working with him has helped me see life from a different perspective: with persistence, anything is possible,” said Musa. “Today, Luis is like family to me and I enjoy every second with him.”

 

Luis’ accomplishments and abilities also extend to his residence at Woods, where, with the support and encouragement of his staff, Luis is now able to assist throughout his home on various tasks such as: delivering the mail to the residential supervisors, assisting staff while bringing his laundry to his bedroom, and sweeping the kitchen floor in the dining room after dinner.

 

Luis’ care team at Woods has certainly enjoyed seeing their hard work and investment in Luis come to fruition. But other important people in his life like his family members and friends are also enjoying a “whole new Luis”.

 

“He went through a period when he refused to do anything for himself and relied so heavily on staff for everything. He would not even walk standing straight up,” said Lynch. “But now, he is starting to dress himself, participate in tooth brushing by doing the movements himself and showing more interest in his daily activities. He has built some great bonds with his staff over the years.”

 

“The most significant growth that has been seen in Luis over the past few years would have to be his overall demeanor and sense of calm. Luis always has a smile on his face and loves to interact with his family, staff, and peers,” said Caraballo. “Luis is an amazing young man and we all feel very blessed to be able to play a small part in helping him grow and achieve his goals.”