Brain Trust

Train Your Brain presented to third-grade classrooms across Central Oregon.

Prompted by an alarming increase of preventable head injuries in young people, The Center Foundation pioneered Train Your Brain as part of our Brain Trust initiative. This elementary school outreach provides innovative, research-based curriculum on the importance of helmet use and brain and spinal cord injury prevention. We reach over 2,000 students each year and distribute over 1,000 helmets annually to those in need.

These helmets should always be worn when participating in any non-motorized wheeled sport, including bicycling, skateboarding, roller blading, and scooter riding. Please help kids stay safe and healthy by encouraging them to be active and take all possible precautions to prevent injury – like wearing a helmet.

If you would like more information, or know of a child in need of a helmet, please call Stuart Schmidt at 541-322-2323 or email [email protected].

Train Your Brain is brought to you with the help of our generous sponsors! Thank you!

See below for our 2024 presentation schedule. Coming to a school near you this spring!

Bear Creek Monday, April 1, 2024
Westside Village Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Tom McCall Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Lynch Thursday, April 4, 2024
Pine Ridge Friday, April 5, 2024
Buff Monday, April 8, 2024
Barnes Butte Elementary Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Terrebonne Community School Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Steins Pillar Elementary Thursday, April 11, 2024
Crooked River Elementary Friday, April 12, 2024
Silver Rail Monday, April 15, 2024
North Star Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Tumalo Community School Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Hugh Hartman (bilingual) Thursday, April 18, 2024
La Pine Friday, April 19, 2024
Juniper Monday, April 22, 2024
Amity Creek Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Ponderosa Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Ensworth Thursday, April 25, 2024
R.E. Jewell Friday, April 26, 2024
Sisters Monday, April 29, 2024
Madras Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Miller Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Rosland Thursday, May 2, 2024
Highland (No Presentation in 2023) Friday, May 3, 2024
Vern Patrick Tuesday, May 7, 2024
High Lakes Monday, May 13, 2024
Buckingham Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Culver Thursday, May 23, 2024
John Tuck Friday, May 24, 2024
Lava Ridge Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Sage Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Three Rivers School Thursday, May 30, 2024
Elk Meadow Friday, May 31, 2024

Train Your Brain

Train Your Brain Back Story:

Years ago, a young Bend boy was struck by a car while riding his bike without a helmet. He was rushed to the ER where one of The Center Foundation’s board members, a neurosurgeon, was on call. Tragically, and in spite of our board member’s best effort, the boy did not survive.

As a result, and with the intention of preventing further tragedies, The Center Foundation adopted programs to educate our grade school kids on the importance of protecting their brain and spinal cord by learning and using good safety skills.

Today, The Center Foundation offers educational presentations to youth organizations in Central Oregon, including: elementary schools, boy scouts, pre-schools, summer camps, and English as a second language class. The presentations include age-appropriate discussions of brain and spinal cord anatomy and injury prevention techniques such as street, car, and bike safety. These active and fun sessions conclude with a melon drop helmet demonstration.

Students are asked to bring their helmets for a fit and function assessment. If a child’s helmet is ill fitting or damaged, or if they do not have a helmet, a new helmet will be properly fit and provided by our team of helmet experts at no cost.

Managing traumatic brain injuries in our young athletes

Proper management of closed head injuries in young athletes begins well before an athlete actually suffers a concussion. The Center Foundation initiates the following best practices to manage concussions and prevent devastating Second Impact Syndrome:

  • Athletes in high-risk sports take pre-season baseline ImPACT tests every two years.
  • Athletic trainers and physicians educate teachers, coaches, and athletic directors to detect the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
  • The Center Foundation provides concussion awareness educational information on signs and symptoms to parents and students.
  • Athletic trainers continually educate athletes about the risks of concussions and the importance of reporting their signs and symptoms.
  • If a young athlete is suspected of sustaining a concussion, they are removed from play until cleared by a qualified medical professional.

Learn more about our concussion management practices.

If you know of a child who is in need of a bike helmet, please contact Stuart Schmidt at [email protected]

Did you know?

– We donate over 1000 helmets per year to youth in our community.

Helmet Safety Tips