Summer Stars
2025-06-18 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-23 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-24 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-25 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-07 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-09 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, 49548
Summer Stars is a free program for children with Down syndrome aged 7-12 or in grades 1-6. Through a variety of thoughtfully designed activities, including games, crafts, and outdoor play, the program helps children make progress on their IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals while supporting their overall development. Summer Stars will take place Monday-Thursday from June 9th-August 7th skipping June 19th, June 30th-July 3rd, and July 21st-July 24th. The program runs from 1:00pm-4:00pm with an optional early drop-off available at 12:00pm and the option to stay for extra programming offered from 4:00pm-5:00pm. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis so be sure to complete this application by May 8th to be considered for participation.

Please click HERE to complete the application if you have a child who is interested in attending Summer Stars.

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

School Aged Dance with Arts in Motion
2025-06-18 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Join our Dance program with Molly from Arts in Motion and our intern Molly! This is an adaptive program for all of our school-age members aged 7-12. We stretch, dance, and play fun percussion instruments while we listen to fun music!

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Dance for Teens and Adults with Arts in Motion
2025-06-18 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-06-25 17:00 - 18:00 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Join our Dance program with Molly from Arts in Motion and our intern Molly! This is an adaptive program for all of our teens and adult members aged 13 and older. We stretch, dance, and play percussion instruments while we listen to participant-selected music!

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Office Closed for Juneteenth
2025-06-19 00:00 - 23:59 | Michigan

Surf Camp
2025-06-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-25 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Holland State Beach, 2398 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, Michigan, 49424, United States
Surf & Turf Therapy is a nonprofit organization committed to bettering lives through non-traditional therapeutic activities such as surfing. DSAWM and Surf & Turf are partnering this summer to offer 4 days of surf camp at Holland State Beach. This camp will be ran by Dr. Jillian who is a Physical Therapist and the founder of Surf & Turf Therapy. The focus is not only to have fun but also to address deficits in strength, stability, body awareness, coordination, safety awareness, tone management, flexibility, attention and sensory integration. We are welcoming a small group of members with Down syndrome that are 5 years and older to join us June 23rd-June 26th from 10am-12pm. Life jackets and all other equipment will be provided. DSAWM is covering the cost for participants. Spots are first come, first served.

Please click HERE to complete the registration form if you are interested in participating.

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Developmental Sports
2025-06-23 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-07-07 16:00 - 17:00 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
The Developmental Sports program, in partnership with Special Olympics and Autism Support of Kent County, is designed to introduce children with developmental disabilities, ages 7-13, to a variety of physical activities. This program will be on Mondays from 4pm-5pm. Each week, we focus on teaching the basics of sports, helping participants develop essential athletic, cognitive, and social skills. The program allows kids to build sportsmanship while also exploring the possibilities in their athletic development. Sports vary and are repeated multiple times throughout the season to reinforce and strengthen skills.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Rapid Runners
2025-06-23 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Manhattan Park, 3180 Cascade Rd SE, East Grand Rapids, MI, 49506, United States
This summer, teens and adults with Down syndrome (ages 12 and up) are invited to join Rapid Runners, a fun and supportive running program where we train together for the LMCU Bridge Run 5k on September 14th! We meet at the pavilion at Manhattan Park to warm up, then participants are paired with volunteers to walk/run for an hour around East Grand Rapids. DSAWM covers the cost of the race for both participants and volunteers.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Aging with Down Syndrome Meeting
2025-06-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, 49548
Caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome are invited to this support group that meets every month. The Aging with Down Syndrome Meetings are sponsored by DSAWM and Alzheimer’s Association. Participants share experiences and discuss the process of caring for loved ones growing older with Down syndrome.

Please register HERE if you are interested in attending and email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Kids Sing-Along with Arts in Motion
2025-06-24 16:00 - 17:00 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
DSAWM is partnering with Arts in Motion for a fun and interactive Kids Sing-Along program on Tuesdays from 4pm-5pm. Bring your voices and sing along with your favorite songs, from kids’ classics to Disney to radio hits.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Book Club
2025-06-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Chapbook Cafe at Schuler Books, 2660 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49512, United States
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month

6:00pm-7:00pm

Schuler Books

Ages 16+

Teens and adults with Down syndrome are invited to join Bobbi for Book Club at Schuler Books on 28th Street. Participants in Book Club will get the chance to read fun books with a group of their peers. After completing a book, members will be invited to a movie night where they will watch a film based on the book they read. All reading levels are welcome. Book Club will meet in the Chapbook Café.

Please email program@dsawm.org with any questions.

Mom's Night Out
2025-06-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Amore Trattoria Italiana, 5080 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, Michigan, 49321, United States
Mom’s Night Out is a monthly program for mothers raising children with Down syndrome. Each month, mom’s have the opportunity to enjoy different activities and come together to connect, share stories, and support each other. DSAWM covers the cost for first-time attendees (excluding alcohol). This month’s gathering is going to be at Amore Trattoria Italiana.

Please email Keri at dsmamas321@yahoo.com to RSVP or if you have any questions.

Drumming with Arts in Motion
2025-06-26 16:00 - 17:00 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Join us on Thursdays from 4pm-5pm for Drumming with Josh from Arts in Motion! This program is for members of all ages and it will be a fun opportunity to work on your rhythm and make some music with friends.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Cooking Capers
2025-06-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
DSAWM has Cooking Capers every other week in the summer. Cooking Capers is a program led by GVSU nutrition students to teach independence in the kitchen for members 12 and older (members 12-15 must have a guardian present). We work on goals and learn kitchen safety, measurements, and more! We cook a delicious 3 course meal each week and enjoy socializing with others. Registrations are required so that we can make sure to accommodate all food allergies and purchase the correct amount of groceries. Please register HERE!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Lakeshore Mom's Night Out
2025-06-26 18:30 - 19:30 | Dr. Rolf’s Barbeque, 971 W Savidge St, Spring Lake, Michigan, 49456, United States
Mom’s Night Out is a monthly program for mothers raising children with Down syndrome. Each month, mom’s have the opportunity to enjoy different activities and come together to connect, share stories, and support each other. DSAWM covers the cost for first-time attendees (excluding alcohol). This month’s gathering is going to be at Dr. Rolf’s Barbecue.

Please message Maggie Mosley on Facebook or email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

MSU Community Music School: Virtual Music Therapy
2025-07-02 18:30 - 19:30 | Michigan
CMS Music Therapists under the direction of Cindy Edgerton, Director of Music Therapy, will be leading monthly “virtual” music therapy events on the first Wednesday of every month. The participants are split up into two groups based on age, each group will have their own unique Zoom link.

These events are meant to be interactive and there will be a lot of moving around! If you have a streamer, scarf, or your own instrument(s), that’s awesome! If not, feel free to use things you probably have at home already. Spice or sprinkle jars become shakers, a pot and a wooden spoon becomes a drum set!

Please RSVP to Cathy Blatnik at 517-381-1410 or at blatsie63@yahoo.com the Saturday before each monthly event with the following information: first and last name of each participant, birthdate, phone number, and email address.

“Together Let’s Sing, Dance, and Jam!” is generously sponsored by the Mid-Michigan Autism Association and the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan.

Book Club Movie Night
2025-07-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Celebration! Cinema North, 2121 Celebration Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525, United States
Teens and adults with Down syndrome (ages 16+) are invited to join our Book Club! We finish each book with a fun movie screening. Since we’ve just completed Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, come enjoy the movie with us on July 8th.

Following the movie, Book Club will take a short break and resume in late August.

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.
