NEW! Special Olympics Minnesota- Unified Juniors

929 North 4 th Street Mankato, MN 56001 507-387-5122 info@mankatoleep.org www.mankatoleep.org March 2015 A Note from the Director, Mandy Hunecke Last fall LEEP spent several weeks during many different programs interviewing 100 LEEP members on their experiences in LEEP programming. During this process, LEEP was provided with great feedback which will directly affect the types of programming and the quality of programming LEEP provides. A big thank you to all who participated in these surveys, we appreciate your help in making LEEP programming even better! Survey Results 93% of participants reported feeling more physically fit or healthy because of LEEP programs. 97% of participants reported they met at least one new friend through LEEP. 99% of participants surveyed said LEEP has improved their quality of life. Help Spread the Word to End the R-word In 2008, Special Olympics started a website www.r-word.org to help in the fight against the use of the R-word. According to their website, The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It s offensive. It s derogatory. The R-word is hate speech. LEEP is taking t-shirt orders to help promote the fight against the R word. Please call our office if you want to order a shirt by Friday, February 27. Orders will be shipped to LEEP and should be available for pick up after Wednesday, March 11. NEW! Special Olympics Minnesota- Unified Juniors Starting March 18, Special Olympics will be bringing a BRAND NEW program to Mankato in collaboration with LEEP. This 9 week program is meant for ages 8-15 at various locations in Mankato. Each week we will play a new sport and learn new drills to help introduce individuals to different sports offered through Special Olympics and LEEP. Games and scrimmages will also be played focusing on teamwork, communication and motor skills. This weekly event is not only for Special Olympic Athletes, but also friends or siblings that want to play! The Unified Juniors program will focus on athletics (track and field), aquatics, basketball, flag football, poly hockey, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Dates: Wednesdays, March 18- May 13, 2015 (9 weeks) Time: 5:30-7:30pm Cost: FREE Location: TBD Limit: 12 Please call our office at 507-387-5122 to receive updates on our new Unified Juniors program or email our office info@mankatoleep.org. 1

Special Olympics Information Every athlete must have a current Special Olympics Release Form on file before participating in a sport. These forms require a doctor s signature and could take time to complete. If you are in question as to whether you have this form completed, please call LEEP at 387-5122 and we can verify it for you. This form must be updated every three years. All athletes must be a member of LEEP before participating in any LEEP activities. After the athletes have registered for their sports, LEEP will mail out specific information regarding practice times, tournament dates, what to wear, etc. Special Olympics is available for anyone over the age of 8 years. LEEP will attempt to place younger athletes together. Special Olympics Athletics (Track and Field) On your mark, get set, go!!! Join LEEP for a new season of Special Olympics Athletics (Track & Field). LEEP works to meet the needs of both the beginner and the more advanced athletes. Not all athletes will qualify for State Competition. Day: Wednesdays, Beginning of April June 28, 2015 Limit: 48 Location: West High School Track Time: 6:30 7:30 p.m. (Athletes will be mailed a schedule prior to season starting) Registration Fee, Due April 1: $90 for season (includes all practice and Area fees) transportation not included Transportation Cost, Due April 1: $25 for 1-way Transportation to practice $50 for 2-way Transportation to practice State Competition Fees: For athletes attending State Competitions, additional fees are required. Payment dates listed below. State Fee #1: $55 due May 13 State Fee #2: $55 due June 17 Special Olympics Regular Volleyball Get ready for a great season of volleyball! Regular style volleyball offers competitions for the beginner wanting to learn the basics about the sport. All athletes will have the opportunity to attend the Area 9 Competition and a portion of the volleyball teams will then be chosen to attend the State Competition. Regular volleyball is great for beginners Days: Tuesdays, April 8 June 28, 2015 Limit: 12 Location: Franklin Elementary School Lower Gym Time: 6:00-7:00 pm (Athletes will be mailed a schedule prior to season starting) Registration Fee, Due April 8: $90 for season (includes all practice and Area fees) transportation not included Transportation Cost, Due April 8: $25 for 1-way Transportation $50 for 2-way Transportation State Competition Fees: For athletes attending State Competitions, additional fees are required. Payment dates listed below. State Fee #1: $55 due May 20 State Fee #2: $55 due June 17 Special Olympics Unified Volleyball Unified Volleyball offers competitions for the more advanced volleyball players. Each team is made up of both athletes with and without disabilities and is a very fast paced competition. LEEP cannot guarantee you will be placed on the team that you request. All athletes will have the opportunity to attend the Area 9 Competition and a portion of the volleyball teams will then be chosen to attend the State Competition. Days: Tuesdays, April 8 June 28, 2015 Limit: 12 Location: Franklin Elementary School Lower Gym Time: 6:00-7:00 pm (Athletes will be mailed a schedule prior to season starting) Registration Fee, Due April 8: $90 for season (includes all practice and Area fees) transportation not included Transportation Cost, Due April 8: $25 for 1-way Transportation $50 for 2-way Transportation State Competition Fees: For athletes attending State Competitions, additional fees are required. Payment dates listed below. State Fee #1: $55 due May 20 State Fee #2: $55 due June 17 2

Night Activities Join LEEP between for Night Activities! These are loosely structured activities in the evenings, designed to fit our members wants and needs. Ideas for new and exciting activities are always encouraged. Each Night Activity is only $3! Tip: Watch for the for unique Starry Night activities each month! 3 Monday, March 2: MRCI BINGO: Head over to the MRCI cafeteria for a night of BINGOs. New prizes will be handed out for each winner! 6:30-8:00pm Limit: 60 Tuesday, March 3: Maleficent Movie Night: Come to LEEP to watch Disney s Maleficent. During the movie, we will have fresh popcorn and soda to munch on. Limit: 50 Wednesday, March 4: Birthday Bash: Let s celebrate March s Birthdays in style by enjoying a yummy treat and playing some fun birthday games. *Remember all March birthdays get in free. Limit: 35 Friday, March 6: Karaoke: Belt out your favorite tunes at LEEP s karaoke night. Sing some old classics or new hits. We can t wait to hear what you choose! 6:30-8:00pm Limit: 35 Monday, March 9: Smoothie Night: LEEP will be hosting a smoothie night. We will have all your favorite flavors like strawberry, banana, and even chocolate! You don t want to miss this fun night! Limit: 25 Popcorn[1].svg Tuesday, March 10: Mr. Peabody and Sherman Movie Night: Join LEEP to watch Sherman take out his father s time machine to impress a girl. Mr. Peabody must come to the rescue as they start to alter historical events. LEEP will also serve fresh popcorn and soda. Limit: 50 Wednesday, March 11: St. Patrick s Day Craft: Get ready for St. Patrick s Day by creating a fun craft. We are making St. Patrick s Day windsocks! You can hang these by your window or on your door in celebration of the holiday. This fun and easy craft is an easy way to get ready for the Irish holiday! Limit: 20 Friday, March 13: St. Patrick s Day BINGO at LEEP: Grab your lucky charm and head to LEEP for BINGO night. This month we will have St. Patrick s Day BINGO cards. Maybe you ll be lucky enough to win your own pot-o-gold! 6:30-8:00pm Limit: 35 Monday, March 16: St. Patrick s Day Party: Celebrate Irish heritage by coming to LEEP to make Rice Krispie bars with Lucky Charms marshmallows and enjoy Shamrock punch. While our bars are cooling off, we will also play Irish-themed games. Limit: 35 Tuesday, March 17: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Movie Night: Watch this new remake of America s favorite Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They must protect the city from a brand new villain in this flick. Limit: 50 Friday, March 20: Beading and Jewelry Making: We are hosting a beading and jewelry night. Come to make your favorite necklace or bracelet! There will be brand new spring designs to try out. Limit: 25 Tuesday, March 24: The Boxtrolls Movie Night: This fun, animated flick tells the story of Eggs, a human boy raised by trolls, as he attempts to save them from a nasty pest exterminator. The LEEP staff will be making fresh popcorn and soda during the movie. Limit: 50 Friday, March 27: Karaoke: Everyone s favorite night activity is back again for round 2 in March! Sing your favorite tunes or try out some new hits!. Make sure to bring all your friends for a fun-filled night! 6:30-8:00pm Limit: 50 Monday, March 30: Game Night/Open Activity: Join us at LEEP for the activity of your choosing! We will have the Wii set up, board games ready to go, and all the craft supplies you can imagine at your fingertips! Bring your friends for a fun night in. Limit 30 Tuesday, March 31: Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Movie Night: Catch this newly released movie at LEEP. Watch Part 1 as Katniss Everdeen starts to fight back against the Capitol in this action-packed movie. We will make sure to have a treat waiting for you! Limit: 50 3

Classes Tuesday Spring Craft Class Bring your spring fever to LEEP and create some artistic masterpieces. This class will make a sparkly flower craft, painted vases, beaded shamrocks, and string eggs. While we work, we will listen to some tunes and chat with our friends. *Cost of class includes: staffing and supplies. Ready to Register? We have 3 Options Available: Website: www.mankatoleep.org Phone: 507-387-5122 E-mail: info@mankatoleep.org Please note transportation when registering. Dates: Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 Location: LEEP Rec Center Time: Limit: 10 Cost: $20 No Transportation $30 One Way Transportation $40 Two Way Transportation Friday Spa Class Need a stress reliever from the long winter? LEEP will be hosting a relaxing Spa Class this March. In this class, we will be focusing on relaxation techniques while creating some homemade spa goodies to take home to your friends. This class will make homemade bath salts, lip gloss, hand lotion, and a chocolate face mask. *Cost of class includes: staffing and supplies. Dates: Fridays, March 6, 13, 20, 27 Location: LEEP Rec Center Time: Limit: 10 Cost: $20 No Transportation $30 One Way Transportation $40 Two Way Transportation Summer Rec Info Warm weather is just around the corner, and that means Summer Recreation registration will be opening soon! The Summer Rec Program is a life enrichment program designed for students in transition who have an intellectual disability. The goal of the program is to increase independence in daily living skills by combining recreation and leisure activities in a structured, safe, and supervised environment. Program Dates: June 8th-August 7th (9 weeks) Location: LEEP Rec Center Ages: 12-21 years old (must still be in High School to qualify) *Deposit will be required for registration! For a registration packet and more information, call our office at 507-387-5122 or email Cate at outreach@mankatoleep.org Worried about a program being cancelled? Call our Cancellation Line: 507-387-9996 to receive the most accurate and up to date information regarding programming. We update our messages by 3pm for evening programming. IMPORTANT: If Mankato School District close due to weather, LEEP programming will automatically be cancelled. The LEEP Office also closes when the Mankato School District closes. 4

Special Events Star Trek Exhibit at Mall of America Sunday, March 1 Join LEEP as we travel to the Mall of America to visit Star Trek: The Exhibition. This exhibit has one of the largest collections of Star Trek artifacts and information every put on display. This exhibit features sets, costumes, museum pieces and props from the Star Trek television series. You can sit in the Captain s chair, see actual costumes, and go on your own unique adventure. Before the exhibit, we will enjoy hamburger and fries at Johnny Rocket s Diner. *Cost of the event includes: staffing, 1 meal, event and drop off transportation. Meet at LEEP: 1:00pm Drop Off: 7:30-8:00pm Cost: $85 Limit: 10 The SMILES Skate at All Seasons Arena Saturday, March 7 SMILES of Mankato is hosting a fun morning of ice skating and LEEP is invited! Grab your skates (if you have them) and join us as we travel to the All Seasons Arena for a fun-filled morning. First, we will warm up by practicing our skating skills on the ice. After we have learned how to skate around, we will play some fun games on the ice! After we have gotten our fill of skating, we will warm up at Applebee s for a delicious lunch. *Cost of the event includes: staffing, 1 meal, event and drop off transportation. Meet at LEEP: 9:30am Drop-Off: 1:00-1:30pm Cost: $30 Limit: 10 Movie and Lasagna Dinner at LEEP Sunday, March 8 Enjoy a relaxing night in at LEEP. The LEEP staff will cook lasagna and garlic bread for you and your friends. Before the dinner, we will watch a newly released flick of the group s choice. *Cost of event includes: 1 meal, staffing, event and drop-off transportation. Meet at LEEP: 3:30pm Drop-Off: 6:30-7:00pm Cost: $15 Limit: 10 Science Museum of Minnesota Saturday, March 14 Visit one of Minnesota s oldest and most interactive museums. Our group can stroll among dinosaurs, create a tornado from a roiling cloud, or dig for bones. While at the Museum, we will also catch a film in the Omnitheater. You don t want to miss this fun and educational day at the Science Museum. *Cost of event includes: 1 meal, staffing, and drop-off transportation. Meet at LEEP: 9:00am Drop-Off: 4:00-4:30pm Cost: $95 Limit: 10 Mary Poppins at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre Saturday, March 21 Mary Poppins is coming to life at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre! Join LEEP as we travel up to Chanhassen, MN to catch this wonderful show. Based upon the iconic Disney film, Mary Poppins is a family musical featuring dancing and unforgettable songs! *Cost of event includes: admission ticket, 1 meal, staffing, event and drop-off transportation. Meet at LEEP: 10:00 am Drop-Off: 4:00-4:30pm Cost: $115 Limit: 10 Ready to Register? We have 3 Options Available: Website: www.mankatoleep.org Phone: 507-387-5122 E-mail: info@mankatoleep.org LEEP provides pick-up service to participants who live in Mankato/ North Mankato city limits for an additional $7.00 per ride. Please specify at time of registration if this service is needed. Pick up will begin 30 minutes before the actual event time. Diamond Jo s Casino Sunday, March 22 LEEP is traveling to a new casino for a night of gambling! All aged 21+ LEEP participants are invited to join us as we travel to northern Iowa to try our luck at Diamond Jo s Casino. We will also eat lunch together at the buffet. *Cost of the event includes: staffing, 1 meal, event and drop off transportation. Must be 21 years old to register, and must have ID with at event. Meet at LEEP: 10:00 am Drop Off: 4:30-5:00 pm Cost: $60 Limit: 10 5

1 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday SE: Star Trek at MOA 1:00-7:30pm 8 SE: Movie and Lasagna 3:30-6:30pm 2 Advisory Council 6:00-7:00pm NA: MRCI BINGO 6:30-8:00pm 9 LEEP Calendar March 2015 3 CL: Spring Craft Class SO: Unified B-Ball NA: Maleficent Movie 10 CL: Spring Craft Class SO: Unified B-Ball 4 SO: Aquatics NA: Birthday Bash 11 SO: Aquatics 5 SO: Basketball 12 SO: Basketball 6 CL: Spa Class NA: Karaoke 6:30-8:00pm 13 CL: Spa Class 7 SE: SMILES Skating 9:30-1:00pm 14 SE: Science Museum of MN 9:00-4:00pm 15 Regional Basketball Tournament NA: Smoothie Night 16 NA: St. Patrick s Day Party NA: Mr. Peabody Movie 17 CL: Spring Craft Class SO: Unified B-Ball NA: Teenage Turtles Movie NA: St. Patrick s Day Craft 18 SO: Aquatics YP: Unified Juniors 5:30-7:30pm 19 SO: Basketball NA: BINGO at LEEP 6:30-8:00pm 20 CL: Spa Class NA: Beading and Jewelry Making 21 SE: Mary Poppins at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre 10:00-4:00pm 22 SE: Diamond Jo s Casino 10:00-4:30pm 23 24 CL: Spring Craft Class SO: Unified B-Ball NA: The Boxtrolls Movie 25 SO: Aquatics YP: Unified Juniors 5:30-7:30pm 26 SO: Basketball 27 CL: Spa Class NA: Karaoke 6:30-8:00pm State Unified Basketball Tournament 28 State Basketball & Aquatics Tournament 29 State Basketball & Aquatics Tournament 30 NA: Open Activity 31 NA: Hunger Games Movie 6

LEEP Registration Checklist March 2015 For your convenience, LEEP has included this checklist to assist with registration and to make the payment process easier. Please include payment for transportation. If you would like to include a copy with pre-payments, this will hopefully eliminate any confusion. Thanks! X Code Date Event Fee X Code Dates Event Fee CL March Spring Craft Class $20/$30/$40 NA 3/10 Movie Tuesday: Mr. Peabody $3 CL March Spa Class $20/$30/$40 NA 3/11 St. Patrick s Day Craft $3 SE 3/1 Star Trek Exhibit at MOA $85/$92 NA 3/13 BINGO at LEEP $3 SE 3/7 The SMILES Skate at All Seasons Arena $30/$37 NA 3/16 St. Patrick s Day Party $3 SE 3/8 Movie and Lasagna Dinner at LEEP $15/$22 NA 3/17 Movie Tuesday: Teenage Turtle $3 SE 3/14 Science Museum of MN $95/$102 NA 3/20 Beading and Jewelry Making $3 SE 3/21 Mary Poppins at Chanhassen $115/$122 NA 3/24 Movie Tuesday: The Boxtrolls $3 SE 3/22 Diamond Jo s Casino $60/$67 NA 3/27 Karaoke $3 NA 3/3 MRCI BINGO $3 NA 3/31 Movie Tuesday: Hunger Games $3 NA 3/3 Movie Tuesday: Maleficent $3 SO April-June Athletics $90 NA 3/4 Birthday Bash $3 SO April-June Volleyball $90 NA 3/6 Karaoke $3 YP Mar.-June Unified Juniors FREE NA 3/9 Smoothie Night $3 LEEP 2015 Membership $30 Reminder All fees must be paid by the date of the event or $5 late fee will be added. Please call LEEP if you need financial assistance or to establish a payment plan. *Credit card payments are now accepted with a minimal processing fee. Total Amount Due: Total Credits: Total Payment: 7

929 North 4th Street Mankato, MN 56001 Non-Profit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Mankato, MN 56001 Permit #300 Return Service Requested Volunteer of the Month Anna Currens My favorite part about volunteering with LEEP is getting to hang out with awesome people and do things we both enjoy together. Anna started as a volunteer at LEEP last fall with our Night Activities, Classes, and Dances. Anna is a Sophomore at Minnesota State University studying Elementary Education. She enjoys being outdoors, playing sports, cooking, and baking. Thank you, Anna! LEEP Advisory Council The 2015 Advisory Council Officers have been selected, and we are still searching for new members. Join us to discuss new program ideas, participate in dance fundraisers, and more. If you cannot make the meetings, contact your officers to have your voice heard! 2015 Advisory Council Officers: President- Chris B. Vice President- Jason S. Athletics Chair- Steph M. Fundraiser & Dance Chair- Ashley A. Secretary- Nicole M. Our Next Meeting: Date: Monday, March 2 NEW Time: 6:00-7:00pm Where: LEEP Board Room 8