Fun, Free Events

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM)

Temple Grandin is Speaking in Alton, Wednesday, April 3 from 7-8pm at Hayner Library in Alton, Illinois. Join us for a FREE special event on April 3 with Dr. Temple Grandin, one of the world’s most accomplished and well-known adults with autism. Dr. Grandin has been at the forefront of research and activism for autism and neurodiversity for decades. Her memoir, “Emergence: Labeled Autistic”, was published in 1986 and she has continued to write about autism and neurodivergence over the decades. Her most recent book is “Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions”. Dr. Grandin’s research and understanding of animal behavior spearheaded a reform in the quality of life for agricultural animals worldwide. Register HERE ~ To request accommodations, email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com

Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) is a national self-advocacy organization made of regional representatives and members from every state in the United States. The organization believes that people with disabilities should be treated as equals and given the same decisions, choices, rights, responsibilities, and chances to speak up and empower themselves. For more information visit the SABE website.

Recreation Council News…

Recreation Council RAFFLE TICKETS – SPRING 2024: The Recreation Council is raising funds to provide scholarships for people to attend camp this summer. Choose from 5 wonderful options: Wine, Liquor, Pickleball, Whitey Herzog Collage, and Vintage Vinyl Baskets. 1-9 tickets=$1 per ticket; 15 tickets=$10; 30 tickets=$20.  Order Tickets HERE

Summer Guide: 2024 Recreation Council Summer Opportunities Guide
FACEBOOK: Like and Follow us at www.facebook.com/reccouncilstl

Recreation Council PickleBall Tournament Fundraiser, Saturday, May 18 from 10am-1pm at CNP, St. Charles, MO. Join the Recreation Council for a fabulous day of Pickleball fun while raising money to send a child to summer camp. Men and women of all skill levels are welcome. Recreational and competitive sections, $10 CNP food/drink gift card, and medals for winners in each skill level bracket. Cost: $100 per team of 2 players. Register Here ~ Flyer

Events for People with Disabilities…

BCI Open House and Disability Employment Career Fair (SCC), Wednesday, April 3 from 9 a.m. to noon. Come to BCI and learn about our employment services including organizational, competitive employment, and vocational training. The Skills Center and its manufacturing training space will also be open for tours.This event will take place at our St. Peters facility and Skills Center. If you or any of your associates would like to attend, we would love to have you. Register at https://SpringOpenHouse2024.eventbrite.com.

Exploring the Spectrum Autism Awareness Event (SCC), Saturday, April 6 from 9am-12:30pm at United Services for Children, 3420 Harry S. Truman Blvd. in St. Charles, 63301. Join United Services for Children at this annual event with speakers, information tables, and autism resources for all ages. Event is FREE, but please REGISTER HERE

Celebrating Neurodiversity, Music by Astha A Capella (STL), Saturday, April 6 from 2-3pm at Weber Road Library Branch. All are welcome to hear St. Louis University’s premier South-Asian fusion a cappella team entertain you with their musical selections. This program is recommended for adults with developmental/cognitive disabilities. Information

Family Autism Night, Tuesday, April 2 from 5-7pm at Chicken N Pickle, St. Charles, MO. Pickleball is the hottest new game being played in town. Join us for a fun, free time for families and caretakers of those in the autism community. 5pm: Clinic/Drills, 6pm: Open Play. FREE, but registration is requested.

Adapted Pickleball Night, Wednesday, April 24 from 6-9pm Chicken N Pickle, St. Charles, MO. Join us for a fun-filled night where we welcome ALL communities to learn, enjoy and bring awareness to adaptive pickleball. Evening included a beginner clinic & open play for all abilities & skill levels, equipment provided, and 2 sports wheelchairs on site. Spectators are welcome. FREE, but registration is requested.

Inclusive Ice Experience Day (SCC), Registration is OPEN now. Event occurs on Saturday, April 6, 2024 from 2:30-4pm at St. Peters Rec Plex, 63376. Join us for an introduction of ice skating for individuals with disabilities and their families. We’ll have skate sleds available for those who use chairs, instruction for various levels of skating abilities, and free skate time for all. Event sponsored by St. Peters Rec Plex, Recreation Council, Mind’s Eye, DASA, and Harbor Unlimited. FREE, but registration is required ~ FLYER ~ Need more information? Call Carol at 636-477-7704 or email her at carol@recreationcouncil.org 

Best Buddies Friendship Walk (STL), Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 11am-1pm at Kirkwood Park, 111 S Geyer Road, 63122. FREE but donations are welcome. Walk to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD, one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time. Information

Fun, Free Community Events for Everyone…

Listings by AREA:
St. Louis, MO ~STL=St. Louis
St. Charles, MO ~ SCC= St. Charles County

 St. Charles County Parks Ranger Guided Walks and Hikes (SCC): Space is still available in “Hike Through the Seasons” on Wednesday, March 27 from 5-7:30pm at Klondike Park. As the weather warms, your park rangers have planned a variety of outdoor walks including nature hikes, sunset hikes, flower walks, morning walks, and walks with your pets. Register HERE or call 636-949-7535.

Solar Sundays at the St. Louis Planetarium (STL), March 32 & April 7 from 11am-3pm at McDonnell Planetarium near the Science Center (map). In 2024, a special springtime edition of Solar Sundays will be offered in March during the lead up to the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. A variety of solar telescopes and safe viewing techniques are used to provide guests safe views of the Sun, including the ability to see features like sunspots and solar prominences. Information

FUN4STLKIDS listing of egg hunts and candy drops around St. Louis & St. Charles, MO. (some charge a fee, and some are FREE): www.fun4stlkids.com/Whats-Happening/Egg-Hunts/

Fun and free activities happen at these locations on the first Friday of each month:

  • Science Center First Friday (STL), April 5 from 5-9pm. Don’t let a plant from outer space trick you during the upcoming solar eclipse! Come to the Saint Louis Science Center to learn about real eclipse phenomena and see the cult classic film Little Shop of Horrors. Information
  • Foundry Arts Center First Friday (SCC), April 5 from 5-8pm at Foundry Arts Centre in Historic St. Charles, MO. Facebook Page
  • First Fridays in the Grand Center Arts District (STL), April 5 from 5-9 pm at multiple art studios (map). Museums and galleries in the Grand Center Arts District are open from 5-9pm and admission is FREE! Stick around for the after-party events, activities, and community building fun. Information

Builders St Charles Home Show (SCC), April 5-7 open daily from 10am-7pm at the St Charles Convention Center. The show features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing a large range of products and services such as windows, doors, decks, patios, spas, kitchens, landscaping, patio rooms, speakers, seminars and much more. Admission is FREE. Information

SciFest: The Great Outdoors Expo (STL), Saturday, April 6 frmo 9:30am-4:30pm at the Saint Louis Science Center. SciFest is an annual series of expos for families to explore new fields and hobbies and to meet local scientists, engineers and professionals in other fields. These expos are FREE and open to the public and occur during regular Science Center hours. See website for specific times of scheduled activities for each expos. Website

Mark Your Calendar for these FREE events later in April…

  • Dream Big Camp Information Session (Virtual), April 11, Register Here
  • Boys and Girls Club Birthday Bash-O’Fallon (SCC), April 13, Information
  • Chain of Rocks Park Opening Celebration (STL), April 14, Information
  • Laumeier Sculpture Park Walking Tours (STL), April 21, Register Here
  • St. Charles County Parks Dog Walk (SCC), April 24, Register HERE
  • Adapted Pickleball Night (SCC), April 24, Registration
  • Celebrating Neurodiversity, Music by Astha A Capella (STL), April 6, Information

Search for more Activities in your part of town…

Here are a few links to continue your search for fun in the metro area. Some places charge entry fees, so check on costs before you go.

Resources…

Click HERE to see fee-based programs for people with disabilities
Click Here to see Community Resources for People with Disabilities

Need Funding for a Recreation Program? Click here for information about our voucher programs for people with developmental disabilities in St. Louis and St. Charles.
Event information is updated weekly.  www.recreationcouncil.org/anytime-activities

If you want to receive this post weekly to your inbox, send your email address to stchascounty@recreationcouncil.org