Youth and Family Disability Resources: February 2016

Welcome to February! Things are heating up out there, but we’ve got plenty of fun activities to keep you in the winter spirit.

Day of Science with Our Space Our Place
This is the first workshop in a series exploring the field of Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM). Middle- and high-school students who are blind are invited to participate in hands-on experiments, explore careers in STEM, interact with scientists who are blind, and together plan ways to continue learning and experimenting. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. To register go to their website. To request an accommodation, please let us know by Thursday February 11, 2016. If you have any questions, please call (617) 459-4084

When: Saturday, March 12th from 10AM to 3PM
Where: the New England Aquarium, 1 Center Wharf, Boston, MA.

Shoot for Success! Summer Video Contest
Shoot an amazing video telling us why you want to attend Summer@CIP and you can win one of three $1,000 scholarships to attend in 2016! Contest Rules:

  1. You must produce your own original video using a digital video camera, phone, or laptop with camera.
  2. In 1-3 minutes tell us your goals and why you want to attend Summer@CIP. Be energetic! Be real! Be creative!
  3. Upload your video to your YouTube or Vimeo account.
  4. Deadline: Submit your entry between February 1 – February 29, 2016.

Summer@CIP
Get a taste of college life while residing on a highly-rated campus and experience independence in a supportive environment. College is not all about academics – it’s about fostering connections, learning the necessary skills to succeed and having fun while doing it. Summer@CIP is a program for students with Asperger’s, High Functioning Autism, ADHD, Nonverbal and other Learning Differences.

High School Summer Program accepts participants entering 10th, 11th and 12th grades in the Fall, as well as recent high school graduates. Beyond High School Summer Program is open to high school graduates up to age 26.

Program Highlights:

  • Spend 2 weeks on a college or university campus learning valuable skills and gaining experience
  • Engage in fun and exciting activities
  • Experience independent living
  • Build confidence and make friends
  • Make use of the CIP’s comprehensive curriculum, including: social skills, executive functioning and organization, reframing classes and more
  • Earn 1 College Credit for CSD-100 Introduction to the College Experience from Elms College
  • Create a plan for your future
  • Featuring 24/7 staffing
  • Throughout our 2-week session several fun and exciting activities are planned. Spend some time outdoors this summer hiking, swimming and exploring local highlights. Last year’s participants loved the ropes course, theme park trip and professional sports outing; this year will be no different! Students will also have some scheduled downtime to relax and socialize

Highland Street Winter Camp
Highland Street Foundation is pleased to announce its newest program, Winter Camp 2016, which will include free ice skating on Boston Common’s Frog Pond during February school vacation week (February 15-19, 2016).There will be special guests and activities throughout the week, thanks to our partners: Appalachian Mountain Club, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and the Boston Red Sox.

There will be no cost for admission or skate rentals. In order to avoid long waiting times, tickets for available time slots will be allocated on site on a first-come, first-served basis each day.

For more information, please visit Highland Street’s website.

Easter Seals Youth Leadership Network 2016
The Youth Leadership Network is for young people with disabilities ages 14 – 26 to participate in group projects, activities, and discussions that are designed to help prepare youth to transition from high school to adulthood. YLN empowers youth with disabilities to self-advocate in order to take control of planning their adult lives and experience educational and professional success. The YLN is an opportunity for you to make friends in your local communities and within the larger network. Meetings feature fun, hands-on activities and interactive discussions about communication, teamwork, community service, disability rights, career interests and employment skills. Parents are also invited to stay for a parent group, covering topics related to transition services and program for youth with special needs. For more information about the meeting dates at each location event, visit the YLN Easter Seals page  or contact youth@eastersealsma.org or 617-226-2855

Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Program
Boston Ballet Adaptive Dance provides creative movement instruction for individuals with disabilities ages 2 to adult, and is taught by Boston Ballet Faculty, with support by licensed physical therapists and professional musicians. Students can engage and explore in a safe and supported studio environment as they develop movement, musicality and personal/social growth. This program helps enhance creativity and self-expression, self-esteem and self-confidence, increased pride cooperating with and encouraging others, increased appreciation and knowledge of music and rhythm, distinguishing right and left, attending to and following directions, increased focus, and improved balance, posture, and alignment.

For more information email eci@bostonballet.org or visit the Boston Ballet Adaptive Dance page.

When: March 8th–May 10th, 2016
Where: Boston, Newton and the North Shore

Lunar New Year Celebration
Free admission for all! Visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to ring in the Year of the Monkey! Explore Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese traditions while enjoying activities, demonstrations, and performances throughout the day. Be sure to find the vibrant floral arrangements around the building and stop in for an Asian-inspired lunch at the Garden Cafeteria. And visit the MFA’s newest display, featuring art from the prosperous and vibrant Song dynasty (960–1279)—regarded as a pinnacle of Chinese art and aesthetics. – Go on a Gallery Tour highlighting works of art in the Art of Asia galleries – Drop in on a hands-on Family Art-Making Activity to create your own masterpieces to take home. – Participate in interactive demonstrations of meditation, Gong-Fu (Chinese martial arts) and Saebae (Korean ceremony). – Enjoy festive musical and dance performances (including a Lion and Dragon Dance!) by local artists and much more! – And visit the MFA’s newest display, featuring art from the prosperous and vibrant Song dynasty (960–1279)—regarded as a pinnacle of Chinese art and aesthetics.

For more information, visit the event website.

When: Saturday, Feb 06, 2016 10:00a -5:00p
Where: Museum of Fine Arts Boston 465 Huntington Ave Boston, MA 02115

February Vacation Week Adventures at the MFA
“Tune in to Art” Whistle while you work and discover some of the many creative ways artists have been inspired by music in their artwork. Enjoy free drop-in activities all week, including storytelling, musical performances, family tours, and art activities. All ages and abilities welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. FREE admission for kids all week. (Kids 6 and under always get FREE admission to the MFA, and kids 7 to 17 are free during non-school hours. See Visiting with Kids for more information.)

When: Monday, Feb 15, 2016 10:00a-Friday, Feb 19, 2016 4:00p
Where: Museum of Fine Arts Boston 465 Huntington Ave Boston, MA 02115

February School Vacation FREE Activities
Looking for free things to do with the kids during February School Vacation? Head to the Upper Rotunda inside Quincy Market daily from 11 am – 2 pm for free programming. We have a fun lineup including puppet making, story time, juggling lessons, childrens meditation, arts and crafts, storytelling, and lots of magic! Monday, 2/15 11-12:30 and 12:30-2: Puppet Making with Rosalita the puppet Tuesday, 2/16 11-12:30: Story time with Big Joe the Storyteller 12:30-2: Juggling Lessons with Paris the Hip Hop Juggler Wednesday, 2/17 11-12:30: Meditation for Youngsters with Jason Escape 12:30-2: Malik the Magic Guy Thursday, 2/18 11-12:30 and 12:30-2: Arts & Crafts with Shannon Friday, 2/19 11-12:30: Story time with Big Joe the Storyteller 12:30-2: Jojo the Magician For more information visit their website.

When: Monday, Feb 15, 2016 11:00a-Friday, Feb 19, 2016 2:00p
Where: Faneuil Hall Marketplace 4 South Market Street Boston, MA 02109

Open House for Steam Summer Program
Fun activities for kids and adults. Play games, solve puzzles and build robots. Meet our staff and learn more about the summer program. Our fun hands on activities focus on the most engaging and exciting STEAM topics: – Science – Technology – Engineering – Art – Math The Studio of Engaging Math’s summer program offers kids the chance to experience just how fun science, math and engineering can be. From puzzles and games to programming and painting, there is something for every student!

When: Friday, Feb 26, 2016 6:00p-8:00p
Where: Studio of Engaging Math 320 Washington street, suite 301 Brighton , MA 02135

Family Day at Bakalar and Paine Galleries
Join us for our next Family Day at MassArt on Saturday, February 27, 2016! 11 AM – 4 PM Bakalar & Paine Galleries South Hall, 621 Huntington Avenue (near the corner of Huntington Avenue and Longwood Avenue) Twice a year, visitors of all ages are invited to Family Day for a free, fun-filled day. Interactive activities and art-making projects are designed and guided by MassArt students and gallery staff, and illuminate the featured exhibitions. With materials and inspiration provided, let your creativity flow! Family Day is free and open to all. Refreshments served.

All Access Improv
Fast. Furious. Funny. All Access Improv delivers a high-octane, completely off-the-cuff comedic force of nature. Appropriate for anyone with a sense of humor (all ages welcome), All Access is 65-minutes jam packed with 100% improvised scenes, songs, and games designed to make our professional comedians sweat hard and our audiences laugh harder. We combine the best improvisers from ImprovBoston’s popular Family Show, fast-paced Face Off and renowned National Touring Company into an all-star cast showcasing blazingly quick-witted comedy, mind-melting improvised music and, of course, copious audience interaction. All Access Improv is Boston’s all-access pass to daring, athletic, immersive comedy for everyone with a pulse. More info: click here.

When: Every Saturday at 6PM.
Where: ImprovBoston 40 Prospect St Cambridge, MA 02139
Cost: $16 General Admission, $10 ages 18 & under

I ♥ Science
Explore the marvelous science of our natural world in this annual daylong festival featuring dozens of activities. Use fossil teeth to study animal diets, design an insect maze, investigate the factors that differentiate New England beaches, examine frog adaptations, animal/plant interactions, and more! Awaken your love of science with activities led by Harvard scientists, graduate students, and enthusiastic explorers. Hear short talks on current research at Harvard. This program has something for everyone and is appropriate for children and adults of all ages. Special event. Regular museum admission rates apply.

When: Saturday, Feb 13, 2016 10:00a-4:00p
Where: Harvard Museum of Natural History 26 Oxford Street Cambridge, MA 02138

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