Blue Mountain Therapy Events
At Blue Mountain Therapy we are proud to be a committed and involved member of our local communities. Our goal is to provide services and opportunities for all members of our community, including those who may not have access to typical enrichment programs or events. With this in mind we continue to develop and implement programs and host events based on community feedback. Included is an overview of past and upcoming events and programs developed through collaboration with local patients and residents in our service areas.
BMT Trunk or Treat: Our third annual trunk or treat event will take place on October 30th, 2021. This event evolved from a need to provide a safe and sensory friendly event for our patients and their families with staff and volunteers available to assist families as needed. We were able to partner with a local museum in 2020 to provide a safe and fun event during some very scary times for our families. This year we are excited to host this event at our new location which will allow us to provide additional enrichment and engagement opportunities for our community in a safe and accessible environment for all.
Sensory Santa and Toy Drive: BMT is excited to announce plans to continue our sensitive Santa event and toy drive! This event has allowed community members of all ages to have the experience of meeting Santa in a modified and controlled environment without all of the overwhelming stimuli experienced in a typical setting. Families are given the opportunity to enjoy a sensory friendly holiday film with each other where they have the opportunity to relax and allow their children to experience the movie in a way that is most comfortable for them. Our toy drive, in partnership with Tunes for Tykes and the Blue Mountain Foundation, has provided toys to over a hundred children allowing them to have developmentally appropriate toys delivered to their homes as well as gift cards to purchase holiday dinners.
All Abilities Egg Hunt: BMT is also excited to host our first all abilities egg hunt! We have looked forward to hosting this event for years and now have the space to allow access for all! Our modified egg hunt will feature many different opportunities including egg hunts for those who are visually impaired, those with sensory processing difficulties, those who utilize wheelchairs and walkers and of course a special egg hunt for older children and adults who continue to love the Easter Bunny as much as we do. Sensitive Easter Bunny photos and activities will also be available.
School Supply and Teacher Assistance: BMT has continued to provide support to local schools through several programs over the last few years including gift cards for teachers to assist in purchasing school items, assistance in development and acquisition of sensory friendly teaching tools and also as an annual school supply collection location. We are proud to partner with our local schools in several areas throughout the year.
Summer Enrichment Programs: BMT is extremely proud to have provided a two week summer enrichment program for children of all ages in June and July of 2021. This program allowed local children the opportunity to experience a fun and engaging summer camp experience that they may not have otherwise had access to. The camp’s main focus was fun and friendship with some motor and social skill development mixed in. Several children have requested to come again next year and have said that it was the “best week ever!”.
Lending Library: BMT is also proud to offer continuous access to durable medical equipment through our lending library. This program allows families to borrow or trial several equipment items that are otherwise not funded or available to them. A few available items include mobility devices, shower transfer benches and occasionally lifts and hospital beds.
Parent Support Group: We look forward to being able to host our parent support group at our locations again this year. In the past, we have hosted monthly parent support group meetings with childcare provided. These meetings have focused on topics including how to navigate applying for waiver services, use of behavioral strategies in the home and accessing local resources for adaptive devices. Most importantly these meetings have allowed parents to meet and speak with one another and develop a support system with others who understand their challenges and celebrate their successes.
These are only a few of the ways that Blue Mountain Therapy looks forward to serving our community in the upcoming years. We are excited to continue to develop programs and events based on community collaboration and partnership.