Local Events

from Special Needs Living April 2023 Issue

SUMMER 2023 CAMPS AND THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAMS

BY CHRISTIA WOODFORD

Note: Don’t forget to apply for the Access Pass! The Access Pass Program allows families that meet the specific requirements listed below to visit The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and all participating locations for $2 per family member per visit for up to two adults and all dependent youths living in the household. You qualify if you receive:

• Hoosier Healthwise Insurance (Indiana’s health care program for low-income families, pregnant women and children)

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Apply here: https://www. childrensmuseum.org/visit /hours/access-pass.

Museums

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

First Thursday Nights

The first Thursday of every month, 4:00 PM-8:00 PM.

Go back in time to the Age of the Dinosaurs and explore the basics of science through fun, hands-on activities in Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibition

Travel to Greece without leaving Indiana in Take Me There®: Greece Uncover ancient artifacts in National Geographic Treasures of the Earth https://www.childrensmuseum.org/ visit/calendar/event/273/2023-04-06

Earth Day Celebration

April 22, 2023 -10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Sunburst Atrium, Museum-wide We are joining organizations around the world in celebrating Earth Day. Participate in special hands-on activities.

Hear from local experts to learn ways you can take action.

Join us and other local organizations as we take action locally and globally. Continue the fun at home with these nine Earth Day activities: https:// www.childrensmuseum.org/blog/ earth-day-activities

For tickets: https://www. childrensmuseum.org/visit/calendar/ event/322/2023-04-22

Various Events

April 1-April 31

Opens at 10 AM 3000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208 317-334-4000 https://www.childrensmuseum.org

Conner Prairie — Indiana’s Living History Museum

Breakfast with the Bunny

April 8, 2023 - 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and visit with the Easter Bunny for a photo op. Assigned seating will be arranged in advance for registered guests. Learn more here: https://www. connerprairie.org/explore/things-todo/breakfast-with-the-bunny/

Homeschool Day

April 12, 2023 - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Join us at Conner Prairie for Homeschool Day! Any homeschooling family can visit Conner Prairie at our current school group rates without the usual requirement of having a group of 15 students or more. These rates are per student, with one primary educator free per family and additional adults at the chaperone rate. Explore the variety of learning opportunities Conner Prairie has to offer in our seven historic areas. Meet the residents of 1836 Prairietown and experience Indiana’s brush with the Civil War at the 1863 Civil War Journey immersion experience. Also be sure to explore the Conner House, and take a journey out to Treetop Outpost. https://connerp.ticketapp. org/portal/product/95/events

We Can Camp!

April 29 - April 30, 2023 - Overnight, Saturday 1 PM - Sunday 10 AM

Join us as you learn basic camping skills, enjoy fun outdoor experiences, and spend the night on our grounds in a tent! This program is perfect for first-time campers or anyone looking for a refresher. We provide all the camping gear you’ll need, along with modern restrooms and overnight security. Learn more at https://www. connerprairie.org/we-can-camp/

Sensory-Friendly Hours

The second Sunday of every month, from 10 AM to noon, are sensoryfriendly hours at Conner Prairie! Enjoy a calm environment. Check in with Guest Relations, stating that you are here for sensory-friendly hours. You will get free admission and may stay as long as you wish.

Various events

April 1 - April 30

13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038

Phone: 317-776-6000 or 800-966-1836 https://www.connerprairie.org/ events/list

SPORTS

Indy Fuel

April 2, 8, 14, 2023

Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205 https://www.indyfuelhockey.com/ news/2022/5/fuel-announce-202223-regular-season-schedule

Indiana Pacers

April 7, 2023

Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Indianapolis Indians

April 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 2023

Victory Field, 501 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, IN 46225 https://www.milb.com/indianapolis

Indy Eleven

April 1, 3 8, 22, 29, 2023

IU Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium

1001 W New York St Indianapolis IN 46202. 317-274-9749 http://www.indyeleven.com

FAMILY FUN

Indianapolis Zoo xZOOberance Spring Festival

March 23 - April 16, noon to 4 PM

After a long Indiana winter, we could all use a little xZOOberance! We’ve expanded our annual spring festival to feature 16 days of fun, with activities running from noon - 4 PM on event days only. https:// www.indianapoliszoo.com/events/ xzooberance/

Various events are scheduled daily Check the calendar for events. https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/ visit/daily-schedule/ https://www.jurassicquest.com

Jurassic Quest is America’s biggest and most popular dinosaur event and walk among the dinosaurs!

Our classic indoor adventure is back! Jurassic Quest and our skyscraping dinosaurs bring supersized family fun – only here can you get up close to life-size, realistic dinos, and even see them move and roar! Whether the dinos had skin that was scaly, feathers or fur, Jurassic Quest has spared no expense to bring the dinosaurs to life.

Walk through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods, and “Deep Dive” into the “Ancient Oceans” exhibit with ancient ocean dwellers including the largest apex predator that ever existed – a moving, life-size, 50-foot-long Megalodon!

The Studio Movie Grill

3535 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46268

317-315-8113 https://www.studiomoviegrill.com/ movie/special-needs-screenings

Sensory-friendly screenings of movies! Check the website for movies and times.

THE ARTS

Beef and Boards

An American In Paris

March 30 - May 14, 2023

9301 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268

317-872-9664 https://www.beefandboards.com/ Online/default.asp

Jubilate Choir

Butler University, Lilly Hall, Room 133

1200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46222

317-630-2001

9 AM - 5 PM, Mon. - Thur., and 9 AM7 PM, Fri.-Sun. and holidays

JURASSIC QUEST

April 14 - 16, 2023

Ball State University Champions Pavilion

1202 E. 38TH ST. INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46205

ATTENTION Indianapolis dinosaur lovers! Come see for yourself why

Wednesdays, 6:45-7:30 PM

The Jubilate Choir is for singers with special needs in grades 3-9. Singers with varying abilities meet each week to grow musically. This tuition-free choir focuses on proper singing techniques, music theory and sight-reading, part-singing, and social skills involved in being a member of a musical ensemble.

Though Jubilate has, at its core, the same goals as other choirs in the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC), singers in Jubilate engage in additional activities like visual and tactile experiences that are catered specifically to the current members of the choir.

Director: Lauren Southard

For more information, contact Lauren Southard at 317-940-8065 or lsouthar@icchoir.org. https://icchoir.org/special-needs/

Gigi’s Playhouse

Various classes during the week. 5909 E. 86th St. Indianapolis, IN 46250 317-288-8235 indy@gigisplayhouse.org

EVENTS

IRCA Family Autism Support Webinar (Online)

April 17, 2023 - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

The Crossroads of ASD and Mental Health

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has strong overlap with mental health issues. Those with

ASD are at higher risk for almost every mental health disorder, except substance abuse. In addition, the impact of having an individual with ASD can cause increased family stress. This presentation will focus on recognizing and proactively addressing mental health factors so that the care of the individual with ASD and their family is optimized.

Presented by: Julie T. Steck, Ph.D., HSPP

Psychologist, CRG/Children’s Resource Group, LLC https://iu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FuHZwWpTBu_flVWd6tr8g

PATINS Tech Expo 2023 with IN*SOURCE

Save the date for April 20, 2023!

PATINS returns to Carmel, IN. Registration is open until March 29, 2023, at midnight. https:// patinsproject.org/services/conferences/techexpo This event is open to all interested Indiana administrators, teachers, family members, advocates, students, and pre-service teachers/grad students. It is your opportunity to preview assistive and accessible technologies and services, meet with vendors and experts of resources designed to promote inclusion, comply with federal and state mandates and learn about accessibility and technology supports for all of your students and families. Throughout the day, visit the live Exhibit Hall and attend vendor presentations to earn up to four professional growth points/contact hours.

Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Indianapolis

April 23, 2023 - 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Celebration Plaza at White River State Park 801 W. Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

To At Destination Regen we can help replenish what the body needs to naturally repair its self with the life changing power of Regenerative Medicine.

Event Contact: NatalieSeibert@bestbuddies.org or child is a good candidate for regenerative medicine tissue therapy, book

The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD).

Join 40,000 walkers across the country to support the Best Buddies programs in your schools, workplaces and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time. https://www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk .org/indianapolis/

Improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities in central Indiana through equine-assisted therapies and activities.

Therapeutic riding programs are offered Monday – Friday. We also offer a broad array of equine facilitated learning programs, including workshops, field trips, camps and semester long programs.