Summer Workshop Series
at the Bethany Retreat Center
202 Route 105 Highland Mills, NY 10930
2 Sessions:
July 11- 22
August 8 - 19
Schedule of the Day
9:15 am - Arrival
9:30 am - 10:20 am - Wellness Works
10:30 am - 11:30 am - Employment: Intro to Clerical Skills
11:30 am - 11:45 am Break
11:45 am - 1:00 pm Practical Kitchen Skills
1:30 pm - 2:20 pm Art Exploration: Animal Art
2:20 pm - 2:30 pm Clean up and Dismissal
Cost Per Class:
Class Descriptions
Wellness Works!
This class will reinforce the importance of physical and mental wellness in our daily lives. Individuals will have the opportunity to engage in physical fitness activities that will utilize gross and fine motor skills that will target cardiovascular, strength, balance and flexibility development. Individuals will also be given the opportunity to explore mindfulness based exercises such as breathing, meditation and yoga. Modifications will be made for individuals of all abilities.
Employment: Intro. to Clerical Skills
This class will introduce individuals to skills that are necessary to work in a clerical setting. Individuals will learn about clerical work through class discussion and presentations that will highlight different clerical jobs in the community. Participants will become familiar with the materials, tools, and equipment utilized in this occupation. Vocational Skills introduced during this class will include: folding papers in thirds, stuffing and sealing envelopes, labeling envelopes, filing by numbers, collating envelopes, stapling papers, folding papers in half, sealing papers for mailing, and filing by single letters or words. Individuals will complete a portfolio that will track the skills they have been introduced to and reflect on their performance. Soft skills related to employment will also be targeted: completing work assignments in a timely manner, asking for help, appropriate greetings and developing an understanding of the employee/employer relationship.
Practical Kitchen Skills
This class will focus on practical kitchen skills that individuals need to function safely in the kitchen. Personal hygiene, kitchen sanitation and kitchen safety guidelines and procedures will be covered. Participants will become familiar with basic cookware, bake-ware, and common kitchen appliances as well as common cooking terms. Correct kitchen measurement will be covered in depth and individuals will have the opportunity to utilize the measurement skills learned by making simple recipes throughout the class.
Art Exploration: Animal Art
This class will focus on indigenous animals in the Hudson Valley. Artists will be encouraged to explore a variety of different art mediums (paper, pencils, canvas, paint, markers) to draw these animals. Step-by-step instructions will be provided but individuals will be encouraged to express their own artistic interpretation of the animal. In addition, students will be shown how to photograph their work and turn their artwork into photo note cards. Interesting facts about animals will be shared and there will be the opportunity to participate in trivia games about the animals. Participants will learn the importance of caring for our environment. Additional opportunities for the artists may included displaying their artwork and note cards in the community and the creation of small animal books.
All art work displayed on our site was created by individuals with unique abilities. A special thank you to Daniel O'Brien - snowy owl,
Eric Orzell - butterfly and Cason Breedy - Dignity Works Tree!