The calendar assures me that spring is here, even if the weather isn’t helping me to believe our cold winter will ever end!! To help me believe, I have been spending some time checking out fun family friendly activities that will be offered in our community this summer. I’m always a fan of checking out Parks and Recreation websites. The city of Urbandale has a program called Five Miles of Beauty. This program has a detailed walk in the community and the natural beauty you will walk past. The Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department also has a Tour Des Moines Parks, which challenges you to explore 31 parks and compete for a $1,000 grand prize. Des Moines also has a book walk which is an activity I have never seen, but looks like a fun way to connect. When Gray’s Lake opens back up Yoga in the Park and other activities will once again be available.
I was also excited to see activities for families that have youth with sensory challenges. Urbandale has a great Miracle League program. On Sunday June 9th, the Des Moines Symphony is doing a sensory friendly performance at the Temple for Performing Arts. Also a couple of local libraries have sensory hours and activities. Check out the Des Moines Library website and Grimes Library as well. The Des Moines Playhouse also offers Spectrum Stories which is a great opportunity for youth to learn new ways to manage difficult social situations.
Polk County Conservation has a wide variety of programs available that are for youth or the whole family, so don’t forget to check them out too. This is just a short list of the great opportunities for fun, I apologize for the opportunities I missed on this list. If you come across something this summer that is fun for the whole family, and little to no cost, you’re welcome to email them to me as it would be great to create a list for future use. Enjoy these final few days of our school year, take time to relax a bit this summer, and know that we’re already planning for a fantastic 2019-20 school year! Happy Summer!
Michele Hamilton
Urbandale CSD
Coordinator of Student, Family & Community Services
515-402-8538
