RECREATION COUNCIL NEWS…

Summer Voucher program for St. Louis COUNTY: St. Louis County parents who have school-aged children with developmental disabilities, did you know you can apply for the Recreation Council’s Summer Voucher program? The Summer Voucher program will assist in paying for half of one Summer program or care (parents must be working) up to $1,000. For more information, please call Sue Fleming at (314)726-6044, ext. 101. You may find the application for the Summer Voucher Program on our website at www.RecreationCouncil.org/applications  ~ Application

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

Recreation Council PickleBall Tournament Fundraiser – CANCELED. Stay tuned for a replacement event that will be even more fun!

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

Partner News for People with Disabilities…

Cycle St. Louis and Trailnet Rides (STL), May 18 “Bridge Birthday Bash” and July 7 “I Scream for Ice Cream” rides. Trailnet Members with disabilities ride for free! Contact Gina at gina@trailnet.org for specific accommodation requests, and to get your free ride code for members. 2024 ride schedule

Autism Parenting Seminar (Virtual), May 17-20, 2024. From the comfort of your home, navigate the challenges of the autism spectrum and learn how you can give a child the best start in life from our panel of experts. Although the site will ask you to upgrade your pass, you do not need to do so to access the seminar on the days specified. Instructions to join on the assigned days are emailed. Get your FREE PASS here

Free Sign Language Workshop (STL), Saturday May 25 from 1-3PM at Chesterfield YMCA-Theater, 16464 Burkhardt Place, Chesterfield, MO. Join ASL enthusiasts, Chelsea Hull and Torri Ryder, for this Sign Language Workshop. This afternoon is designed to support families raising children with specialized communication needs and their caregivers. This FREE event is sponsored by the YMCA Adaptive Program and Hands of Worship and Light (HOWL). Direct questions to Handsofworshipandlight@gmail.com Information

The Ulysses S. Grant Historic Site is launching a Junior Ranger program for children and wants input from families with children who have disabilities about their new booklet. Activities in the book were designed to reach all levels of reading and comprehension, and can be completed with adult assistance as needed. Click Here for a PDF copy. Send your thoughts directly to Julie Northrip at 314-842-1867 ext. 223 or by email at Julie_Northrip@nps.gov

Pujols Family Foundation’s Garden Gate Program (STL), Tuesdays June 4, 11, 18, 25. (No Class July 2nd) July 9, 16, 23, 30 August 6. Ages 18+: 9:30am – 10:45am or Ages 8 – 17: 4:30pm – 5:45pm at Wildwood Family YMCA, 2641 Highway 109, Wildwood, MO 63040. This 8-week hands-on program in partnership with the Wildwood Family YMCA is for people with Down syndrome, ages 8 and older, along with a parent/guardian. As part of our Healthy Living initiative, we will explore planting, maintaining & harvesting a garden and how this is connected to healthy living choices. It will also expand knowledge on how to utilize these skills at home and in a community garden setting. Contact Becca Lang at becca@pujolsfamilyfoundation.org to secure your spot. 314-878-2105. www.pujolsfamilyfoundation.org

FREE Virtual Cooking Classes: June 12, 2024: Kelly’s Kitchen is sponsoring an accessible and inclusive cooking class series for individuals with disabilities. Our classes are FREE and open to all skill levels, and each cooking class lasts around 90 – 120 minutes. Class time is 3:30 – 5:00 Central Time. Register once, and you are signed up for all the classes: April 24, 2024 = Creamy Grape Salad and Chicken Salad and June 12, 2024 = Easy Fruit Salad with Tuna and Cheese Sandwich. Reserve your spot today

Cast for Kids Fishing Program: SAVE THE DATE: Kemp Lake – a private nature game preserve destination for ALL. Cast for Kids Fishing Program  is free for kids with varying disabilities and their families July 13, 2024, time to be determined. Kids will be provided with fishing poles and tackle boxes.  Located 45 minutes from St. Louis near Leasburg, Missouri. Registration is required and must have a reservation to access the property. For more information go to kemplake.org

The Lighthouse for the Blind is accepting 2024 scholarship applications for Camp Barnabas, Soaring Hawks week of July 7-12. Each year, the Lighthouse provides children and young adults that are visually impaired and legally blind, aged 7 to 25 years, tuition scholarships to Camp Barnabas. We will have a limited number of scholarships for those aged 25 and older. TroutReach family camp, July 29-31 at YMCA Trout Lodge. Families of  children with deafblindness are invited to attend three days of fun at no cost to families, siblings, and grandparents with swimming, crafts, paddle boards, lodging, food and fun. Must register by May 20.  Click on links above for applications.

FREE Activities for everyone…

Sunsets and Snow Cones (STL), Tuesday, May 7 from 5:30-7:30pm at the new Chain of Rocks Bridge Park, 10820 Riverview Dr, St. Louis, MO 63137. Enjoy FREE snow cones and watch the sunset over the Mississippi River at Mississippi Greenway: Chain of Rocks Park. Bring a friend, your family or your neighbors and enjoy a snow cone, spend some time in the park and take a leisurely stroll on the bridge to see the sunset and amazing Mississippi River views. Information

Lunchtime Live Music (STL), Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22, 29 and every Wednesday all summer long, from 11:30am – 1:30pm at the Downtown Post Office Plaza, 801 Locust Street, St. Louis, MO 63101. Join us every Wednesday for live music from local talent. Food trucks will be available for food and beverage purchases. Information

Greenway Walk & Yoga (STL), May 8, walk at 6pm, yoga at 6:30pm. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Yoga Buzz to bring you Free sunset yoga and a guided walk on a greenway. May 1 at Dardenne Greenway: BaretHaven; May 8, Maline Greenway at Bellefontaine County Park; Event will repeat on June 5 and 12 at different greenway trails. Register Here

Twilight Thursday Concerts at the MO History Museum (STL), May 9, 16, & 23 from 6-8pm at the History Museum in Forest Park. This popular, free outdoor concert series takes place on our newly renovated North Plaza and brings a lineup of spectacular shows from local musicians and bands. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs, pack your picnic basket, and listen to music under a beautiful Forest Park sunset. Some of the area’s best food trucks will also be on hand for food and drink purchases. Information

Movie Night at Westport: Super Mario Brothers (STL), Friday, May 10 with activities at 6pm and movie beginning at 8pm at Westport Plaza. Get ready for a fun-filled evening with a fantastic lineup of activities and entertainment. Enjoy yard games, face painting, and caricatures, creating lasting memories for everyone. Information

Fitness at Queeny Park (STL), Fridays, May 17 & 24 from 3-4pm at Queeny Park, 550 Weidman Rd, 63011. Enjoy a lovely spring afternoons that includes stretching, a walk on the trail, and cool-down exercises. Adjustments will be made for people of ALL fitness levels. Information

More St. Louis Events later in MAY…

• Parties on the Plaza (STL), May 16 Information
• Twilight Thursday Concerts at the MO History Museum (STL), May 16, & 23 Information
• Laumeier Sculpture Park Walking Tour: Art in Bloom (STL), May 19 Register Here
• Gateway Ringers Spring Handbell Concerts (STL), May 19 Information
• AMC Awareness Day (STL), May 25 Information
• HullabaZOO (STL), May 30 Information
• Finally Friday Music Series (STL), May 31 Information

Websites to Search for more events around town…