Bob The Vid Tech; Meeting The Challenge!

The following program is made by MPT to serve all of our diverse communities, and is made possible by the generous support of our members. BOB: Hey, it's me, Bob the Vid Tech. Don't go away, because we havea totally awesome adventure coming your way. Have you ever really wanted to learn how to do something but been a little bit afraid? Well, come along with me as I overcome my fears and learn how to go horseback riding... Horseback riding?He's afraid of horses. (laughs) -BOB: ...camping...-Camping? He'll never make it through the night. BOB:...and sailing. Sailing? Don't get me started. BOB:All with some very special Vid Kids. So, climb aboard fora half hour of fun and excitement as we take the Vid Kid Challenge. Howdy, Vid Kids! (bell chimes)

Bobby, where are you going? Hey! Slow down there, video boy. How come Bob gets a logo? All set, Bob. Whoa! Bob the Vid Tech. "Meeting the Challenge!" -(television static)-(sighs) Good morning, Biff. Eh. What's so good about it? Bobby, finish your juice and take your brother out to play. Okay, Mom. Come on, Biff. Let's go play. And do what? Throw the ball around? Zip-a-dee-doo-dah. Oh, we can do anything you want. How about something new,like horseback riding? -Or sailing? Maybe even camping.-Oh, please. You're such a dreamer.

You really want to go horseback riding? Ha! -You're afraid of horses.-(horses galloping) And camping? Ha! -You're scared of the dark.-(mysterious hooting) And sailing? Don't get me started. You always say you're gonna doall these amazing things, but do you ever really get around to it? No. Face it, my hyper little brother. You lead the same boring life I do. That's not fair, Biff. We can find all kinds of fun things to do. BIFF: Do you mind? I'm tryingto watch a little television here. Oh, it's such a beautiful day.Why don't you go out and play? MAN (over TV):...shipping boat feared... You know what? Biff's right. I don't know how to ride a horse. And I am a little afraid of the dark. And sailing?Well, I've always wanted to learn, but I've never really taken the time. -(chime plays)-You know what, Vid Kids? Let's do it. Let's take Biff's challenge. I'm tired of sitting around,just watching TV. I'm gonna go outand learn as much as I can about horseback riding,camping and sailing.

What do you say, Vid Kids? Want to go with me? Let's go. Wow. Where am I? Welcome. You're at the 4-HTherapeutic Riding Program in Carroll County. -Hi, I'm Bob the Vid Tech.-And my name's Bob Shirley. You know, I've got to takesome horses up the hill so we can get this program started. -Come help us.-Hey. Sounds like fun. BOB:What are we gonna -do today?-Oh, we'll start off by getting our horsesin the pasture field, bring them up here to the arena,we're gonna feed them, groom them-- that is, brush them-- put saddles and bridles on them, and we're gonna havethree classes of riders. Let's go. So, who do we have here? This is Tiger,and he's a chestnut gelding, and he's quiet, he has good manners. Good boy. -And who is this?-This is Liberty, and he's a Shetland pony. He's been workingwith the therapeutic program since it started in 1978, and he's just never had a day off. BOB:Bob, tell me about some of the children

that make upthe Therapeutic Riding Program. -What kind of kids do you have here?-Well, our riders are people with physical -or mental disabilities...-Mm-hmm. ...and we teach horsemanship to them in a safe and controlled environment. BOB: I imaginethat they really enjoy their chance -to be up on a horse.-You're going to see some very happy people. Hey, I'm here with Jennifer. What's the most funabout horseback riding? Running, running with him. BOB:Running. That sounds like fun. You like the wind blowing in your face? -Does that feel good?-Mm-hmm. Yeah. BOB:Do you ever feed the horses? What do they like to eat? They like carrots, um, apples, -grass...-Grass. -Oats?-...oats and, um, I don't know what else. How about peanut butterand jelly sandwiches? No. (buzzer sounds) BOB SHIRLEY:Now we're ready to feed Liberty. BOB:How many times a day would a horse eat? BOB SHIRLEY: Now, how manytimes a day a horse would eat and how many times we'd feed himare totally different. I daresay that Liberty would eatall the grain we would let him. -BOB: Uh-huh.-But we don't want him to get terribly fat. And so, we measure his feed outfor him twice a day. Excuse me, I was just wondering,can you recommend the food here?

(horse sputters) (smacking sounds) I would say that's a yes. -Mmm.-This is what they eat? Would it be safe enough for me to eat? Oh, yes, yes.In-in here is, it's-it's oats and corn and barley, uh, a little bit of soybean meal, some molasses to make it sweet. An awful lot of the thingsthat are in this grain -will be in your breakfast cereal.-BOB: Let's see. (neighs) That's good. Erin, what are we doing now? ERIN:We're brushing the horse so we can get him cleaner before we ride. I notice here that we havetwo different kinds of brushes. Um, Erin, what kind of a brush is this? It's soft so you can get the dirt out. Huh, soft so you can get the dirt out. And Whitney, what kind of a brush is this? This is a currycomb. You rub it in circlesand it pulls out the loose hair. BOB:He likes it. Oh! You missed a spot. -Just kidding.-(both laugh) Hi, I'm Bob the Vid Tech. And you are? Amy. Amy Dietrich.

Amy, how are you? -Fine.-Thanks for being with us today. BOB:What are we gonna do today? Horseback ride. BOB:Josh. Do you knowwho you're gonna ride today? Yes. Tiger. BOB:You're gonna ride Tiger? Wow. What do you like about Tiger? He runs fast. BOB: How about you, Adam?You like being up high -on the horse?-ADAM: Yes. -Does it make you smile?-Yes. Does it make you want to laugh? -(laughs): Yes.-Does it make you want to have a good time? -Yes.-Boy, I can't wait. BOB (English accent):By the way, I'd like to compliment youon your riding helmet. It's an excellent color. Don't you think? (regular accent):Wow! That's pretty high up. Now, how do you get on top of a horse? BOB SHIRLEY: Oh, mounting a horseis not that difficult. We're gonna show you.We'll work from the left side. Left foot goes up in the stirrup, grab hold of the saddle, pull yourself up, sit gently in the saddle, put your right foot in the stirrup and we're ready to ride. Easy, easy. Take your time. -Hi.-Amy, tell me about your horse.

This is Dude. -"Dude"?-Yeah. -Wow, he's a beautiful horse.-Mm-hmm. -Do you like horseback riding?-Yes. What's the best thingabout horseback riding, do you think? -For me?-Yeah. For me, it would be get... For me, it would bejust getting out of the chair. -And having a really good time.-Yeah. BOB: I'm with Mary Shunk. Mary is the head instructor here at the Therapeutic Riding Program. Mary, tell me about some of the changes you've seen in the kids after they've been riding for a while. MARY:We have turned kids that look like sacks of potatoes up there on that horse, and they just sit thereand they look like a princess. It's a wonderful thing to behold. We've had young riderswho've come to us who could not sit alone by themselves. We've put them on a horse with a person who back-rides behind them to help them with support. After a six to 12-week period, these riders can now sitall by themselves. It's really a great thing to watch.

Okay. Good job. Good job. Do you think I could learnhow to ride a horse? Well, I don't know. What are some of the thingsthat young riders need to remember when learninghow to ride a horse? BOB SHIRLEY:The first thing they need to do is to sit quietly up on the horse, legs underneath of them, heels down lower than their toes, hands quiet and gentle, look where the horse is going. Which most of the timesmeans you're looking between the horse's ears. Hey, do you thinkI could learn how to ride, too? This is Erin's mom Karen. How long has Erin been partof the program? KAREN:Erin's been riding for ten years. It makes her happy. She smiles a lot when she rides. (cheering) -And this is Amy's mom...-Annette. It has been wonderful. Hold your hands likeice cream cones, not like a piano. -Like ice cream cones.-ANNETTE: It's a social thing for her, she's with other young people,and it's a sport that most people don't participate in. These kids really have beengiven an opportunity -many don't have.-That's it. BOB:Hey, Jennifer, do you think

I could learn how to ride a horse? No. -Oh, please say yes.-Yes. I believe we can teachjust about anybody. BOB:Why do we wear a helmet? Protection of this, um, on the ground. -Protects my head if I hit the ground?-Yeah. BOB:Ah... I'm ready to ride. -(clicking tongue)-(horse snorts) Man, it's high up here. Hey, Vid Kids, riding is a lot of fun. I'm not even scared anymore! Hey, Josh, did you have a good time? -Yes.-Adam, -did you have a good time?-Yes. KAREN:It's great to see her succeed. Like with her brothers whenthey go to a baseball game, they hit a home run and they're thrilled. And for her to sit upon the horse and be able to ride it and do somethingthat none of us can do, it's a real thrill for her. Mary, what's your favorite partabout this program? MARY:I'd say the kids' smiles.

The kids' smiles on the horse and the volunteers that walk beside them. BOB SHIRLEY:When you combine ponies and children, you get instant love. But when you combine those ponies with children with disabilities, in addition to that love, you get therapy, and that's what this program is all about. (horse neighs) BOB:Yeehaw! MOMMA:Don't go away. Bob the Vid Tech"Meeting the Challenge!" will be right back. Hey, this ain't bad. Hey, Brianna, do you know your ABCs? Of course I do.Hey, do you want to sing them? Sure. (singing in harmony) Y and Z Now I know my ABC's Next time,won't you sing with me? -Hey, Brianna. What you doing?-Well, I'm building

a kindness tree. You want to help? -Sure.-Well, every day, I think of a new way to be kind to people, and then I write it down on a flower and then I put it up on the kindness tree. Like, yesterday,I helped Biff tie his shoes. And today, I helped Mommacarry in the groceries. BRIANNA: And Sid the Vid Fishis teaching me -how to swim.-Wow, the more kind things you do,the prettier the tree becomes. -Exactly.-Hey, Vid Kids. Can you think of more ways to be kindto the people around you? MOMMA: We now returnto Bob the Vid Tech, "Meeting the Challenge!" It's about time. Hey. Where am I? "Camp Spencer"? Where's that? DAVID: At the Broad CreekMemorial Scout Reservation. -Hi, I'm Bob the Vid Tech.-I'm David Hodnett, I work for the Baltimore Area Council and I'm a special needs executive. Does any of this involve camping? Actually, all of it does. Do you think I could tag along? -You sure can.-Hey, let's go. The first thing to do is grab the gear.

Here you go, Brad. Hey, do you thinkwe brought too much stuff? Oh, you can never bring too much stuff. David, I'm sure a lot of peopleout there didn't realize that the Scouts have a special program for children with special needs. DAVID:Currently, we're serving over 500 youths with mental and physical challenges, and the children get the opportunity to do the same things that our traditional Scouting units do. Many of the kids that we have here today, this is their first experiencein the woods. So, we're gonna start with fishing, we're learninghow to use axes and knives, working around a campfire, camping out, building tents. BOB:Wow, that's a lot of activities. -It is a lot.-It sounds like fun. We're gonna go fishing, but before we go, Jamal is helping me make my fishing line. First, we're gonna take a fishing line and we're gonna make two arm lengths... One, two. LAURA LOU:...and we're gonna attach our bobbin. Did somebody say "bobbin"? LAURA LOU:And we attach our little weight by making a square knot.

And then, we take the loopfrom the hook line and we attach that. Remember, when you put on the hook, always be careful. It's sharp. Now we're ready to find a stick... -Hmm.-...and then we have a fishing pole. Got mine. Hey, Donald. What kind of bait do we use? Peanut butter. BOB:Peanut butter? What about earthworms? We can use those, too. What about peanut butterand earthworms? Ugh... Let's go fishing. DAVID:Coming out here gives them an entirely different perspective on life. I don't think your line is long enough.Do you? DAVID:I've seen them learn about themselves, become more open,become more confident. (singing indistinctly) What kind of fish are in here,do you think? Peanut butter-eating bass. "Peanut butter-eating bass"? Peanut butter. (laughs) It's really less about fishingand catching the fish. It's more about

building patience. BOB:Maybe we'll get lucky and catch one. This is Brad's father Chris. Brad gets a feeling of involvement. And that opportunityto get together with other kids is really what's great. -It's been a great experience.-BOB: Had you known before you got involved in Scouting that you could usepeanut butter for bait? -Peanut butter is new to me.-(both laugh) LAURA LOU:Firewood. You know, you think,"Well, that's a chore, why would kids be excited?"but really, this is kids doing it for themselves. So, they know if they want the campfire,there's got to be firewood. I got some more kindling. When do we start the fire? Actually, Bob,we're gonna wait until it gets a little bit darkerbefore we start our campfire. Ooh. Cool. With me is Aaron Veira, who's an Eagle Scoutand program specialist. What are we gonna be doing herein the "axe yard"? We're gonna be teaching peoplethe proper way that you would cut woodwith an axe and a saw. Right here, we set up a safe axe area. First thing you dois you check to make sure

that you're clear before you cut. Okay? No one should be inside the rope. -Me!-AARON: Ask permission. Do I really have to sleepin that tent tonight? Absolutely, Bob. (owl hooting) It's...(exhales sharply) It's getting kind of dark. -Should I be afraid of the dark?-No. -(twig snaps)-I thought I heard something. There might be scorpions around. Scorpions? I've noticed that Bradhas quite a sense of humor. -Look, there's snakes around.-Snakes? Once he gets started, he's hard to stop. BOB:Are you joking? -There's what?-A beehive. A beehive? Oh, are you j... Wow, didn't we havea really great day today? Yeah. BOB:Fishing, hiking. -Yeah.-We built a fire. BOB:Who can show me here the best way to roast a marshmallow? Hmm. I don't think that's done enough.

And what's the best partof toasting a marshmallow? The melted part. - I've got that... -Mmm! Scouting spirit up in my head Up in my head, up in my head... I kind of like this camping.What do you like about camping? The whole thing. Up in my head to stay... Were you ever afraid of the dark? -Yeah.-And how did you get over it? Slept in the dark a lot. Really? And then you were okay? -Mm-hmm.-Hey. Maybe I'll give it a try. Deep in my heart to stay. Well... I guess it's time for us to go to sleep. -We have a big day tomorrow.-Yeah. -Good night, buddy.-Good night. (sighs) I am afraid of the dark, but... tonight, I'm gonna sleepin this tent, so... (whispers):Good night, Vid Kids. (yawns)

Nighty-night, Vid Kids. (snoring) (distant howl) (snoring continues) (rooster crows) Okay, guys. It's time to wake upBob the Vid Tech. -Let's go.-(kids shouting) -BOB: I did it! Hey!-(applause) -Boy, oh, boy. Hey.-We knew you could do-- hey! What do you say, guys? You want to go and have some fun? DONALD:All right! BOB:All right! AARON:I get a self-satisfaction with working with the boys.It's a job I love doing. If I can give back what was given to me, that's my main goal. CHRIS:One of the best things about Scouting is thatthe children run the troop, and gives every kidan opportunity to develop leadership skills and learning skills. LAURA LOU:For children with a disability, that need to belongis even more profound. The uniform in Scoutingmakes all the children alike, and they have a real pride in belonging. DAVID:And the kids we have here,

they're fantastic, they're having fun. And just to see them smile, I get fulfillment. I'm gonna go home happy and just glad to keep goingwith the program. BOB:Wow! We're here at Sandy Point State Park. I'm here with Captain Don Backe. He's the president of CRAB, Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating. Maybe now even I can learn how to sail. Tell me a little bit about CRAB. We started CRAB in 1991 right here at this beautiful facility. Here at Sandy Point State Park, our mission is to get peoplewith disabilities and their families out on the water. BOB:Carmen, do you like sailing? -CARMEN: Yeah.-What do you like about it? I like that I have fun. DON:We take 85-year-old ladies, retarded citizens, blind students, Deaf, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, MS. We take anyone who shows up sailing. With me is Jenny Bond,

from the Central Special School. JENNY:We arrive around 11:00, unload everybody from the school bus and make sure we get the life jackets on. Amanda, I'm Bob. Could I ask you a question? -What is this called?-The life preserver. BOB: Could you show mehow to put it on? Yeah. BOB: Does this keep us safeon a boat? AMANDA:Yeah, a boat. Make sure it's clicked in and secure. She's ready to go sailing. Safety first. The main reason we bring the kids sailing is so that they canget used to the experience so that they can go outwith their families. Sometimes, they're a little scaredto get on the boats, 'cause it's kind of new. But once they step into the boat,it's exciting. And even the kidswho were the most worried or concerned about it, they just sit back and really enjoy it. Captain, do I have permissionto board your ship? You certainly do. Thank you, sir. Don, tell me about this boat.

DON:Uh, this boat was built especially for peoplewith mobility impairments. These special seats pivot.I can be on either side. I can tack the seat when we tack. And there's a positionfor the crew as well as the skipper. JENNY:The special seats on the CRAB boats accommodate students so we cansecure them in the belts. We want to make surethat they're comfortable and that they feel secureso they can enjoy everything. Hey, Alfie. You want to go sailing? Yeah. -What makes the boat move?-The wind. Wind. That's right. We're going sailing We're goingsailing We're going sailing over the ocean We're going sailing We're goingsailing -(quacking)- We're going sailing Over the sea... Ahoy, mates. We're going sailing We're goingsailing We're going sailing Over the ocean We're going sailing We're goingsailing We're going sailing

Over the sea... -Big finish!- We're going sailing With CRAB. JACK:It's quiet, and there's no motors running. All you hear is the wind and the water and the breeze, and it's justa very calming situation. The little boy that was,uh, in the first boat was steering the boat, fell asleep out there. (quacking) JENNY:Once they get out there, even the kids who were the most worriedor concerned about it, they just relax. (soft laughter) The best thing about sailingis you can just relax and have a good time. Captain Don, what exactly is this? We call this a tiller. BOB: A tiller. And what does it do? It's connected to the rudderwhich steers the boat. So, the tiller is kind ofthe steering wheel of the ship. -DON: Exactly.-(tires screech, crash) Don, what do the kids get out of it? It puts that twinkle in their eye, I'll tell you that. But we don't just take them for a ride. We let them pull the strings,we let them steer. I need a student to drive the boat.

Yeah. Good job. You got your hand on the tiller? That means we're sailing with Jimmy. (applause) You push the stick this way,what happens? See which way the boat goes? -KATYA: Yeah.-Okay, now, watch when you push it this way,see which way it goes. Pull it this way and it goeswiggle-wiggle like a fish, see? BOB: Katya, you are nowthe captain of this ship. Give me five. Check it out. Alfie's steering the boat. DON:When you give them the tiller and they make this 2,000-pound boat do what they want, there's power in it. Their eyes open up and they go... "I can do it." Do you think I could-couldactually steer the ship? Absolutely. Be my guest. So, I put my hand on the tiller,

and if I push it away from me, we turn to the left. Now if I pull it toward me, we're going to the right. The big sail over my head,what's that called? DON: That's the mainsail.That's the biggest sail on the boat, and it provides most of the power. You have a smaller sail up front.What's that called? DON:It's called a jib. It helps the boat point in the direction of the wind. BOB:How fast does this boat go? This boat is capable of going seven knots. Knot? Knot? Knot? What's a knot? It's a nautical mile. A nautical mile is a little longer than a mile. So, when you measure speed on water,it's in knots. When you measure speed on land, -it's in miles per hour.-Right. (horns honking) We're faster than you are. -(all oohing)-We'll go faster! Oh, we'll see. We'll see about that. It's an awesome day for sailing here at Sandy Point State Park. And they're off. Vid Kids team number onehas raised the sail They've got the wind blowing.Can they do it? Here comes Vid Kid team number two. Oh, my goodness, look out.

It's sail on sail, boat against boat. As I look out over the seas,the winds are blowing, the teams are vying. Will somebody win? Will somebody try to figure out what I'm talking about? Next stop, the Whitbread. We'll get 'em next time. Don, is this a great day for sailing? Can't get better than this. Look it, it's perfect. Hey, did you guys have a good time? -ALL: Yay!-Yay! -Bye.-Bye. JENNY: The kids get a lot of thingsout of going sailing. Some of them learn about sailing, they actually learn what to do. For some of them,it's getting on the boats and just getting used towhat it takes to go sailing. And then, for some of the kids,it's just pure pleasure, the way it is for the rest of us. I want to be a helper in my life. Push the stick toward me a little more,

push the tiller toward me a little--there you go. I love to see that smile, that sparkle I'm telling you about. And that's my payoff. (insects chirping) Wow. I'm exhausted. But didn't we have a most amazing time? (inhales, yawns) Vid Kids, it's time to sleepin a real bed. (sighs) -Look at Biff.-(snoring) He spent the whole day watching TV. Too bad. Good night, Biff. Night, Vid Kids. (grunts)

What's that? Did I miss something? Did I miss something? Did I miss something? Eh. (snoring) The preceding program was made by MPT to serve all of our diverse communities,

and was made possible by the generous support of our members.