Welcome to our West Michigan 2011 Holiday Recreation and Respite Opportunities Resource Page



(1) Family Hope Foundation and Celebration! Cinema are proud to offer a unique monthly movie experience to individuals with special needs and their families. This opportunity allows you to be surrounded by others who understand and where typical movie 'rules' don't apply, so everyone can relax, be themselves and have fun on an outing together. We offer lower sound and brighter lights to help everyone enjoy the show. We are excited to invite you to the greatly anticipated Muppets movie on Saturday, November 26 and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked on Friday, December 30. All show times are at 10:00 am at Celebration! Cinema North. Discounted tickets are only $5 per person.

(2) The Visser Family YMCA in Grandville is offering a Parents Night Out on Friday, December 2 from 5:00-10:00 pm for children with special needs and their siblings! This is a respite opportunity for parents to drop their children at the Y to enjoy fun, engaging play opportunities in a safe and monitored environment with people who are dedicated to giving all families what they need. Cost is $15 per child or $30 per family for Y members and $20 per child and $40 per family for non-members…very reasonable for 5 hours of child care! See attached flyer for more details. Call the Visser YMCA with questions at 616-530-9199 and go out and do some shopping!

(3) Indian Trails Camp is kicking off its first Drop-In Respite opportunity on Saturday, December 3rd from 9AM-9PM for children ages 5 and up who have special needs. This opportunity will give caregivers a break as well as perhaps give individuals a chance to experience the traditional camp activities that they have not had a chance to do before. It will essentially be a day of camp without the overnight component! Registration is required. Medicaid respite can be used or $7.50/hour for private pay. Please contact Stephanie Thompson (sthompson@indiantrailscamp.org) or Amy DeMott (ademott@indiantrailscamp.org) or (616) 677-5251, for further information if you are interested.

(4) The Center for Childhood Development offers 3-hour Sensory Saturday sessions for children ages 3-9 with various developmental differences. The next Sensory Saturday respite opportunity is on Saturday, December 3 from 10:00am-1:00pm. Sessions are run by Occupational Therapists and several assistants on staff. The groups include sensory-motor play based activities that address sensory, motor and socialization skills. Bring a sack lunch. The cost is $35 per Saturday. Call or email to reserve a spot: limit 12. 616-667-9551 or janene@thecenterforcd.com.

(5) The ASK (Autism Support of Kent County) Holiday Party will be on Monday, December 5, at the East Grand Rapids Middle School Cafeteria, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Address is: 2425 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. There will be dinner, arts & crafts, Santa Claus and each child gets a goodie bag. The event is FREE, but reservations are required! Please call the ASK phone line at 616-752-8577 and leave your last name, the number of children and adults attending and your phone number.

(6) The ARC Kent County is hosting an elegant evening for people with developmental disabilities and their families and friends on Monday, December 5 from 6:30-9:00 pm at Egypt Valley Country Club. This Holiday Party will include dinner, a DJ for dancing and 'special' entertainment for $11.00 per person. Reservations are required. Please contact Patt Clement at 616-459-3339 or Patt@arckent.org.

(7) Easter Seals Annual Holiday Open House: Tuesday, December 6 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for an annual holiday open house. They will have food, refreshments, crafts and fun for everyone. Tour and play in the sensory gym, meet the staff, and see what Easter Seals is all about. Easter Seals is located at 4065 Saladin Drive SE Grand Rapids, MI (off East Paris, between Lake Drive and Burton Street) Please call 616.942.2081 for more information.

(8) The Center for Childhood Development is offering 3-hour Winter Sensory Breaks for children ages 4-12 with various developmental differences. Winter Sensory Breaks will be held on Thursday, December 22 and Thursday, December 29 from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Sessions are run by Occupational Therapists and several assistants on staff. The groups include sensory-motor play based activities that address sensory, motor and socialization skills. A snack will be provided. The cost is $35 per child. Call or email to reserve a spot: limit 12. 616-667-9551 or janene@thecenterforcd.com.

(9) Holiday Respite Camp at Easter Seals: Easter Seals will be offering 3 separate respite camps over the holidays. Respite camp is designed to provide children with disabilities and their siblings exciting activities and provide respite for parents/caretakers. The cost for each camp is $30 per child and runs from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (please bring a sack lunch for each child). Holiday respite camps will be held on December 20th, 22nd, and 28th. Reservations are limited. Please call Michelle at Easter Seals at 616.912.2081 x11 to reserve your spot beginning Dec 1. Easter Seals is located at 4065 Saladin Drive SE Grand Rapids, MI (off East Paris, between Lake Drive and Burton Street).

(10) Indian Trails Camp has weekend respites 1-2x/month during non-summer months for children ages 7 and up. The next available overnight respite is Holiday Camp, Dec. 27-Jan 2. Respite drop-offs are between 3PM-5PM and check out times is between 11AM-12PM. All respite and Holiday Camp consists of the traditional camp activities such as music, drama, indoor swimming, arts & crafts and more! All programs require pre-registration - applications can be found on their website www.indiantrailscamp.org or contact them at(616) 677-5251 for more information, including pricing.