A Renaissance Adventure: Learning Comes to Life at Lighthouse

Huzzah! This spring, our students stepped back in time to the age of knights, blacksmiths, and magical quests during our very own Lighthouse Renaissance Faire—a day filled with imagination, hands-on learning, and unforgettable fun.

We were proud to welcome guest speakers from Mythic Adventures, a local Live Action Role Playing (LARP) group that brought our event to life with vibrant costumes, immersive storytelling, and exciting workshops tailored for our students who are blind or visually impaired.

A Morning of Medieval Skills & Discovery

The morning kicked off with four interactive workshops, each one designed to blend fun, fantasy, and practical skill-building:

• The Great Potion Panic put sensory efficiency skills to the test as students used their sense of smell to identify ingredients for a magical brew.

• With Sir Dante the knight leading the way, students learned the art of stage combat—practicing body awareness and safety techniques through choreographed movement.

• At the forge, Blacksmith Caspian taught a leatherworking workshop where students stamped their names into leather bracelets, using tactile tools and techniques.

• Our final stop was a mystical dice adventure using large print, high-contrast, and 3D-printed braille polyhedral dice. Students tackled quests that helped build decision-making and problem-solving skills—one roll at a time.

An Afternoon at the Faire

After refueling with some good old-fashioned “fair food,” students entered the festival grounds where a miniature renaissance fair awaited them! With a bag of “Crown” (play coins) in hand, they navigated a vibrant marketplace full of sensory-rich experiences—learning financial literacy as they chose which games, shows, and activities to enjoy.

The afternoon was a whirlwind of excitement, with:

• A live combat show and fire performance

• A musical set featuring period instruments

• Face painting, jewelry making, and carnival games

• Interactive challenges where students faced off against knights

• Hands-on booths where students could touch instruments, explore crafts, and win prizes

Throughout the day, students not only immersed themselves in a world of fantasy—they practiced real-world skills like money management, decision-making, spatial awareness, and social interaction.

Why Events Like This Matter

At Lighthouse, learning doesn’t just happen in a lesson—it happens in lived experiences. This Renaissance Faire gave our students the chance to explore, create, and engage in ways that are both educational and deeply fun. It’s just one more way we support independence, confidence, and joyful learning at every stage.

We’re already dreaming up our next adventure. Until then—long live the Lighthouse Renaissance!