DSAWM

Summer Stars
2026-08-06 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit) | Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, 160 68th St SW Ste. 110, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49548, United States
Summer Stars is a free program for children with Down syndrome 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 8th-August 6th skipping June 29th-July 2nd. The program runs from 1:00pm-4:00pm with an optional early drop-off available at 12:00pm. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis so be sure to complete the application as soon as possible! The application must be filled out by May 11th to be considered for participation.

Please register HERE if you have a child who is interested in attending Summer Stars!

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

Drumming with Josh
2026-08-06 17:00 - 18:00 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Join us on Thursdays from 5pm-6pm 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 are interested in participating!

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

Grand Rapids Cooking Capers
2026-08-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Grand Rapids 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. Cooking Capers is held every other Thursday in the summer.

Please register HERE if you are interested in participating!

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

Kalamazoo Rapid Runners
2026-08-10 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-24 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-31 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-14 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Celery Flats Park, 7328 Garden Ln, Portage, Michigan, 49002, United States
This summer, teens and adults with Down syndrome (ages 12 and up) are invited to join Rapid Runners, a fun and supportive program where we train together for the Bronson Children’s Hospital 5K which is on September 27th! Although the program is called Rapid Runners, there is absolutely no requirement for the participants to run. Participants can choose to walk or do a mix of walking and running at their own pace. We will meet at Celery Flats park on Mondays from 6pm-7pm each week to train. Participants are paired with volunteers for support and to build confidence.

Individuals with Down syndrome please register HERE if you are interested in participating!

Volunteers please register HERE if you are interested in participating!

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

Grand Rapids Rapid Runners
2026-08-10 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-24 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-31 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-14 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 program where we train together for the LMCU Bridge Run 5k which is on September 20th! Although the program is called Rapid Runners, there is absolutely no requirement for the participants to run. Participants can choose to walk or do a mix of walking and running at their own pace. We will meet at Manhattan park on Mondays from 6pm-7pm each week to train. Participants are paired with volunteers for support and to build confidence.

Individuals with Down syndrome please register HERE if you are interested in participating!

Volunteers please register HERE if you are interested in participating!

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

Book Club
2026-08-11 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-25 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-10-13 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-10-27 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.

Lakeshore Dance
2026-08-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven, Michigan, 49417, United States
Join us for our monthly Dance program with Molly from Arts in Motion at the Loutit District Library, typically held on the third Monday of each month from 6:00pm-7:00pm! This adaptive program is open to members age 6 and older. We’ll stretch, dance, and play fun percussion instruments while listening to participant-selected music! Occasionally, room availability at the library may require us to shift the date or time, and email updates will be sent whenever changes are needed.

Please register HERE if you are interested in participating!

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

Aging with Down Syndrome Meeting
2026-08-24 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-28 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-10-26 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-11-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, 160 68th St SW Ste. 110, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49548, United States
Caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome are invited to this support group that meets on the fourth Monday of 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.

Here is the zoom link if you are unable to participate in person: https://zoom.us/j/98327097209?pwd=[REDACTED] This zoom link will be the same for every meeting.

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

Closed for Labor Day
2026-09-07 00:00 - 23:59

LMCU Bridge Run 5k
2026-09-20 08:00 - 11:00
Participants and volunteers that have been training in our Rapid Runners program will participate in the LMCU Bridge Run 5k! The 2026 Bridge Run will take place on SUNDAY, September 20th starting at 8am. Please make sure to tell the DSAWM Program Coordinator, Maria, if you are going to participate in the race. More information and details about the race will be shared once the date gets closer.

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

Bronson Children's Hospital 5k
2026-09-27 10:00 - 12:00
Participants and volunteers that have been training in our Kalamazoo Rapid Runners program will be participating in the Bronson Children’s Hospital 5k! The race will take place on SUNDAY, September 27th starting at 10am. Please make sure to tell the DSAWM Program Coordinator, Maria, if you are going to participate in the race. More information and details about the race will be shared once the date gets closer.

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