Summer Social Connections
Summer Social Connections activities are designed with participant interest in mind and allow for social connection around shared interest. All activities are available for middle school, high school and young adult participants, with facilitators to allow for groups to split up if needed.
Sign up for a variety of activities to keep your tween, teen or young adult connected with others during the summer.
Solid State Pinball Arcade| June 3
Join us at Solid State Pinball. This arcade has an amazing variety of pinball machines
to explore. We will have unlimited play for 2 hours. If your participant would like to stay longer than 3:00, their fee will cover that, but the Authentic Connections Staff will leave at 3:00 pm
PRICE: $25
Prehistoric Putt| June 8
6:00-7:30pm Join us at Prehistoric Putt for a round of mini golf with some wild additions and challenges at the holes.
PRICE: $25
Pool Party|June 11 and July16
12:00-3:00 pm at Liberty Community Center.
ome hang out with other kids at the Liberty Community Center pool. We will have Authentic Connections staff available to monitor and provide assistance at a ratio of 1/10. We will also have pizza and gatorade available for lunch! Send your participant with any spending money for additional snacks or drinks and just come enjoy the sun and fun with friends!
PRICE: $30 per event
Rush FunplexHangout| June 24 and July 8
6:00-9:00pm We will have unlimited play passes to Rush Funplex. Participants can play in a giant foam pit, play mini golf, laser tag, pool, bowl, ride go carts and bumper cars. If they would like to purchase an arcade card to play games they are more than welcome. There are snacks available, but there is no option for meal type food and we are not allowed to bring food in. We would suggest your participant eating before they come.
PRICE: $45 per event
Social Connection Hangouts| June 12, June 19, July10 and July 17
6:00-8:00pm The Co-Op at Shoal Creek
Come hang out to play games, sing or do crafts and have pizza with others! This is an unstructured time once a month where your participant can come hang with others and just have fun. $25 includes 2 pieces of pizza and a Sprite.
If there are dietary restrictions, participants are welcome to bring their own food and drink. Participants are also welcome to bring video games or board/card games to play with others.
Activities that will be available:
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Mario Kart
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Various board and card games
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Ping Pong
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Pool
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Air Hockey
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Foosball
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Karaoke
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Various crafts and art supplies
PRICE: $30 per event
Creative Connection Hangouts| June 26 and July 24
6:00-8:00pm The Co-Op at Shoal Creek
Come spend time creating and making meaningful connections with others. Cost includes all supplies, 2 pieces of pizza and Sprite.
June Session project will be Abstract Canvas Art
July Session project will be Homemade Stressballs
PRICE: $35 per event
Cici's Pizza Night| July 14
6:30-7:30pm Cici's Pizza in Liberty
Come hang out with friends, eat some pizza and play games. Cost includes all you can eat buffet, drink and a $5 game card. Participants are welcome to bring more money if they want for video games.
PRICE: $30 per event
Flower Bouquet Creation with Backyard Blooms|June 18
6:00-7:00pm
Come hang out and create a beautiful, real flower bouquet with Backyard Blooms.
PRICE: $25 per event
Kansas City Zoo| June 4
10:00am-2:00pm
Come explore the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium with friends. We will plan out our day and take in all the wonders the zoo has to offer. Please plan to bring money for lunch or a sack lunch that can be easily carried in the participant's bag or backpack. Water bottles are encouraged and can be easily refilled inside the zoo.
PRICE: $40
Jaeger's Laser Tag Hangout| July 22
6:30-7:30pm
Price includes 3 games of laser tag. Please send your participant with a water bottle--they get so hot during the games!
PRICE: $30
Jaeger's Paintball Hangout| June 23
6:30-7:30pm
Price includes all you need to play paintball including 200 paintballs. This will be low impact paintball so it is a good starting point for beginners. Participants should dress in layers and wear tennis shoes. It is colder inside the caves (60's) plus layers help absorb the impact.
PRICE: $50
Hammerspace Pewter Coin Creation| July 20
1:00-3:00pm
Join us on an exploration of this multifaceted fabrication workshop and make a pewter coin to take home. Participants will have an opportunity to submit artwork to be used as the molds.
PRICE: $60
Healthy Relationships Class| June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
6:00-8:00pm
As individuals enter high school and young adulthood, developing healthy relationships becomes a central part of the human experience. At times, neurodivergent individuals can face challenges with building connections with others, while also exploring their own preferences and desires for deeper-level relationships.
The Next-Level Connections course will provide a wide array of topics to adolescents regarding basic healthy relationship skills, such as defining individuals’ roles in our lives, appropriate conversations based on context, and tips regarding body awareness and safety. As we move deeper into the curriculum, a goal is to delve into the topic of sex education for neurodivergent individuals.
The topics covered in the Next-Level Connections course have the potential to make
students uncomfortable. If your young adult chooses to participate and becomes overwhelmed,
they have the option to take a break or opt out of certain portions of the lessons. It is our goal to
create an environment where all individuals feel comfortable, valued, and can participate without
judgment.
Breakdown of the topics covered:
The first portion of the curriculum begins with the following topics
● Relationships in my life and identifying Healthy Relationships
● Decision Making
● Understanding consent
● Being in/defining a relationship, knowing if you are ready?
● Public vs. Private
● From friend to partner/sweetheart?
The second portion of the curriculum moves on to talk about the following topics pertaining
specifically to sex education:
● Anatomy of private areas and caring for your body
● Puberty and its impact on sexual feelings
● Decision-making and safe practices when being intimate
● An introduction to reproduction