Class schedule

Fall Session: October 8 – December 7, 2024

Registration Open Now

Weekly Classes

Tuesday

(FULL) Friendship Band - Ages 16+, 4-5 p.m.

FRIENDSHIP BAND IS FULL. Friendship Band currently has no openings; however, if you are interested in this class, please contact our office to be placed on our waiting list.

Come join in the fun of making music with the Friendship Band, Whole Children’s resident rock group. We will play our old hits and create new songs together. We will explore writing lyrics, composing melodies, and matching rhythms as a group. We will continue to generate ideas for the Friendship Band’s LIVE performances – including costumes, choreography, and adding video to the gigs. Performers must consent to being photographed and videoed and are expected to participate in a number of community performances. If you are interested in music, but not performing live, you can check out our Jam Band class.

Join us in the pixelated world of Minecraft, where gamers explore and build to their hearts’ content! On our designated Minecraft server, students interact with one another while in the game world and while chatting with their friends online. Teachers are ready to help those just learning to play and to model appropriate social skills. Minecraft here promotes cooperation and enhances students’ ability to negotiate space and resources. 

“Minecraft Java Edition” is required to play with other students on our servers. A personal account can be purchased at Minecraft.net for $26.95. Other versions of Minecraft, such as Win 10 or Bedrock, are not compatible with our servers.

Move to the sounds of fabulous music at your own pace to improve flexibility, strength and balance. Experience a reduction in stress, improved cardiovascular fitness, and well-being of body, mind and spirit in a warm and welcoming group setting.

Encapsulating the spirit of Whole Children, our Joyful Chorus is a truly inclusive and, of course, joyful opportunity for students to come together in song. We are a performance group, singing at events all over the valley.

This class is supported by a grant from the Department of Developmental Services. Singers must consent to being photographed and videoed, and are expected to participate in a number of community performances.

Wednesday

Boundaries - Ages 18+, 4-5 p.m.

Our Boundaries and Relationships class provides students with the building blocks of creating relationships of all types and understanding that boundaries are needed to have safe, healthy relationships.

This session we will be focusing on healthy relationships and dating.

Interested in learning table-top role-playing games (TTRPGs), like Dungeons & Dragons, but get overwhelmed by the amount of reading, writing and rules you need to know just to play?

In this class we’ll playtest the Milestones Adventure System, a brand-new and easy-to-learn TTRPG system created by staff with our community in mind. This puts the focus on the storytelling and role-playing aspects rather than complicated rules, and is designed with all skill levels in mind.

This class is mainly for newcomers learning the basics, but veteran players are welcome too.

Thursday

Theater Games - Ages 16+, 4-5 p.m.

Join us for a class that helps you develop your theater skills to prepare for our yearly performance. Play lots of theater games and become more confident performing in front of others, while having lots of fun and making new friends!

Come cook something with your friends! Students work on practical cooking skills while finding new foods to try. They each get a chance to suggest a dish that we do our best to recreate. And of course, at the end of class, we get to enjoy the meal together!

This class has a $25 fee to help offset the cost of food and supplies.

Friday

Art - Ages 13+, 4-5 p.m.

We do a little bit of everything in this class – drawing, painting, fiber arts, collage and more! This class is for everyone with an interest in exploring the visual arts, whether you’re already an accomplished artist or someone looking to discover your creative side.

Come hang out and jam with our new Milestones Jam Band! No experience with instruments needed- just an interest in getting together and making some sweet music. If you play an instrument, feel free to bring it to show off your skills!

In Indonesian Kung-fu, or “Silat,” students learn both physical and verbal self-defense and martial arts skills with a focus on cooperation, respect, self-awareness and self-control.  Students earn stripes and belts at their own pace while learning the values of hard work and determination. Each session culminates in a presentation and board-breaking demonstration! Families may purchase shirt, belt and pants from the instructor.

From dungeons to dragons and everything in-between! Come take part in a unique role-playing experience where you and other members of your adventuring party create characters, overcome obstacles and explore the world. Veteran players and newcomers are welcome.

In Indonesian Kung-fu, or “Silat,” students learn both physical and verbal self-defense and martial arts skills with a focus on cooperation, respect, self-awareness and self-control.  Students earn stripes and belts at their own pace while learning the values of hard work and determination. Each session culminates in a presentation and board-breaking demonstration! Families may purchase shirt, belt and pants from the instructor.

(Non-members can drop into one class during the session. The drop-in price is $10.00. Call us to sign up for a specific day!)

Oct. 11+25, Nov. 8+ 22, Dec. 6

Join us every other Friday night for some multiplayer gaming excitement on Nintendo Switch and PC. Students are encouraged to bring suggestions for multiplayer games that we could play together as a group. We recommend game suggestions that are free to play on Switch/PC or that we have played in class before (examples: Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, Among Us, Fall Guys). In each class we vote on the game(s) we want to play together in the next class.

To get the most out of this class, it is recommended that students have access to a Nintendo Switch and/or a PC that can run games, as well as a Discord account and headset with a microphone. 

Saturday

Movement and Play - Ages 4-7, 10-10:45 a.m.

This social group for young folk focuses on expanding communication by meeting kids at their developmental level and building their strengths. The class will be divided into two parts, first focusing on fine motor activities through art and play, and then on gross motor skills in our Movement Room space.

Relax and watch anime with your friends! Many think of anime as a genre, but it is actually just another way that stories can be told with many different genres to explore. This class offers a forum for everyone to share their favorite shows with each other, which treats us to a large variety of storytelling and art. Anime can contain both constructive and somewhat questionable messages about society and values, so during and after the film our teachers invite students to participate in thoughtful discussion while also cracking a few jokes and gushing about our favorite characters. Because we will be watching during lunchtime, feel free to bring a nut-free lunch!

Come cook something with your friends on the weekend! Students work on practical cooking skills while finding new foods to try. They each get a chance to suggest a dish that we do our best to recreate. And of course, at the end of class, we get to enjoy the meal together!

Note: All cooking classes have a $25.00 materials fee to help cover the cost of food.

We do a little bit of everything in this class – drawing, painting, fiber arts, collage and more! This class is for everyone with an interest in exploring the visual arts, whether you’re an accomplished artist or someone looking to discover your creative side.

We set out all kinds of building materials each class for students to explore: trains, K’NEX, blocks, and of course, Legos. They can build by themselves or cooperatively with others, and we make sure to take time at the end to share our creations. Talking and sharing among the group is strongly encouraged and usually one of the best parts!

Bocci, Badminton, corn hole and more! Join us this Spring for some fun outside. Learn to play some new games while hanging out with your friends. Do you have another game you love to play outside? Bring it to share with the group! 

On days when the weather does not cooperate, we will have indoor games available.

We have combined our Minecraft and general Video Game Club. Play with your friends in-person in Smash Brothers, Pokémon, or maybe your favorite indie game! Play alone and talk with others or connect in games with multiplayer functionality and play together. We usually play games on the Nintendo Switch console but feel free to bring along any games you want to share or talk about.
 

If you are more of a Minecraft enthusiast, join us in the pixelated world of Minecraft, where gamers explore and build to their hearts’ content! On our designated Minecraft server, students interact with one another while being in the game world, and chat with their friends online. Teachers are ready to help those just learning to play, and to model appropriate social skills.

To get the most out of this class, it is recommended that students have access to a Nintendo Switch and/or a device that can run games.

“Minecraft Java Edition” is required to play with other students on our servers. A personal account can be purchased at Minecraft.net for $26.95. Other versions of Minecraft, such as Win 10 or Bedrock, are not compatible with our servers.

 

Special Events

Free with membership or $10 for non-members. Please register on Jackrabbit or by calling the office at 413-585-8010.

Halloween Costume Karaoke Party - October 31, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at ICC

Costumes are encouraged for this event! Join us to sing your favorite songs while the rest of us cheer you on. Meet new and old friends and spend a fun night sharing talents with our community. Light snacks (GF and not) will be provided. Please call ahead if you’d like to bring anything. To sign up, register in Jackrabbit or call the office.

Join us for an in-person and all-ages movie night at the ICC! We’ll pop the corn, dim the lights and have a blast! Enjoying a film together is a great way to build community and deepen friendships, so come watch a fun film, laugh together and make some great memories! Feel free to bring a blanket or plushie to get cozy. The movie will be announced. To sign up, register in Jackrabbit or call the office.

Other Events

Workshop: Everything You Need to Know About the New IEP - September 24, 6-7:30 p.m. at ICC

Register for this free in-person workshop with educational advocate Alison Green to get the full scoop on the new IEP and your child's rights in special education. Whether this is your first IEP or your tenth, we will help you unravel the sometimes daunting mysteries of special education. Childcare is provided!

Sign up: wholechildren.org/iep

Sign up for a free, virtual info-session to learn more about Pathlight’s Adult Family Care program, which pays family and non-family caregivers a monthly, tax-exempt stipend for their care of eligible adults ages 16+ with physical, cognitive, or medical disabilities.

Sign up: https://Pathlight.life/SeptAFCinfosession

We’re gearing up for some unforgettable celebrations this fall as Whole Children and Milestones mark 20 years of changing lives for children, teens and adults with disabilities. Indie rock band Yo La Tengo will be performing alongside our own Friendship Band at a party on October 23 at the Northampton Center for the Arts. This unique collaboration promises a night of raucous music, inclusion, and community spirit. Come join us for a night where the music is as diverse and vibrant as the people playing it. Get early bird tickets for The Bash at Pathlight.life/thebashtickets and stay tuned for information on other events to celebrate two decades of inclusion and friendship.

We want to hear from you!

Is there a class you'd like us to offer? Do you have an idea for an event? Let us know!

Class information

The fall 2024 session is October 8 to December 7. There will be no classes on the following days:

  • Wednesday 10/23
  • Wednesday 11/27
  • Thursday 11/28
  • Friday 11/29
  • Saturday 11/30

Enrollment for the fall session starts Monday, September 2.

Please note that all age ranges are suggestions only. Please contact us at info@wholechildren.org or (413) 585-8010 if you're interested in signing up for a class outside of the posted age range.

Session membership is $175.00 per student.

The membership fee includes two (2) in-person classes and unlimited on-line classes. Each additional in-person class is $50.00. If student takes just one class (either in-person or on-line) their account will be credited $85.00.

NOTE: Cooking classes have an additional $25.00 materials fee to help off-set the cost of food.

All classes are in person unless otherwise noted.

Registration

A membership must be purchased for every student.

The first step for enrolling is to enroll the student in membership. The second step is to enroll them in the specific classes.

New families

Step 1: If you are new to Whole Children/Milestones Recreation, click the button below to fill out registration forms.

 

Step 2: After you have submitted all registration forms, you will be notified once your account has been created. Once you are notified that your account has been created, click the button below. Watch the video for instructions on how to sign up JackRabbit and enroll in classes.

 

Remember to please sign up for the fall membership before choosing specific classes.

Returning families

Enroll in classes through JackRabbit

Online class information

Links for Zoom classes will be emailed to members when payment has been received, and when registration forms have been submitted.

For Discord, the current link will remain accessible to the general public, regardless of membership status, for sending private messages to friends; and it will be moderated by teachers. However, only members will be able to take part in weekly Discord-accessible classes, and only members will have access to the server’s voice chat function.

Questions? Please email the front desk or call (413) 585-8010.