IKUS Life Enrichment Services
Helping individuals with disabilities discover their potential, gain independence, build skills, and enjoy life in a safe environment — giving them the tools to make every day another best day.
Our September R.E.C. Connect Newsletter is here! 🍂
Catch up on all the latest happenings, including a recap of our fun August activities, a special spotlight on our longtime friend, Olivia, and a sneak peek at what is coming up this September!
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September is almost here, and we have a full month of exciting events planned at IKUS Indian Trails Camp! 🗓
What are you most looking forward to in September?! 🍂
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Tell me you had the best time at the Berlin Fair without telling me you had the best time at the Berlin Fair! Look at those smiles! 🤩 GCLS & REC Connect hanging out (literally!) this summer! 🎡🎟️
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Slice, slice, baby! 🍉 We couldn’t help but celebrate National Watermelon Day! 🥳
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✨🍳🍊Mimosa bar perfection, and an absolutely breathtaking brunch spread! Chef Taryn, you really showed off your skills with this beautiful auction offering from Reds, Whites and Brews! 🍷🤍🍺
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Summer camp is over?? 😭 I didn’t agree to that! I’m hibernating under this camp shed until next June! 🦫
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There’s a special kind of magic here - a beautiful place that holds so much happiness for so many 🫶🏻
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🍁 FALL & WINTER Respite Schedule 2026/2027 ✨
Check out our upcoming fall and winter Respite schedule! Mark your calendars! 📅
🍂 SEPTEMBER
🐾 Sept 11–13: Wilderness Explorers Enjoy scavenger hunts, campfires, outdoor games, and nature crafts. 🏕️
🌊 Sept 18–20: Under the Sea Dive into ocean-themed games, crafts, music, and sensory fun. 🐠
🎃 OCTOBER
🚀 Oct 9–11: Mission to Mars Explore space with astronaut-inspired challenges, games, and crafts. 🌌
👻 Oct 16–18: Halloweekend at ITC Costumes, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, and a festive dance! 🎃
☀️ Oct 24: Day Respite A fun day of games, crafts, and friendship in a supportive environment. 🎨
🦁 NOVEMBER
🦒 Nov 13–15: Camp Safari A wild weekend of animal-themed games, crafts, and activities. 🍃
🏰 Nov 20–22: ITC Goes to Disney (Youth) Magical games, crafts, music, and dancing inspired by Disney stories. ✨
❄️ DECEMBER
🌍 Dec 4–6: Around the World Experience global cultures through games, music, and crafts. ✈️
🎁 Dec 11–13: Holidays at ITC Holiday crafts, sweet treats, music, and cozy camp traditions. 🎄
🎉 Dec 28–30: Holiday Camp (Mon–Wed) End the year with winter activities, games, and camp traditions. 🥳
📲 Ready to join us? Tap the link below to get registered or learn more: 🔗 🔗 www.ultracamp.com/reservations.aspx?idCamp=526&campcode=itg&lang=en-Us
📢 Note: Some dates fill up very quickly! If a session you want appears full, please be sure to join the waitlist!
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Celebrating Our Amazing Pre-ETS Community Partners! 🌟👏
Our Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) participants had an incredible summer of career exploration, all made possible by local businesses and organizations opening their doors to us! 💼✨
A HUGE thank you to:
🏗️ Rockford Construction
🏨 Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Grand Rapids South-Wyoming
📦 Krispak
🪑 Steelcase
🏥 Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
📺 Fox 17 - Morning Mix Show
🍽️ Adobo Boy Restaurant (Ace & Jackie Marasigan)
🌮 Mizizi (Street Chef Shaw)
⚽ Joseph Woodruff (Lowell High School Girls Varsity Soccer Coach)
🏋️ Brett Knoop (Caledonia High School Athletic Trainer)
We are also deeply grateful for the ongoing support of:
🏅 Special Olympics Michigan
🏫 Northview Public Schools
🤝 Michigan Rehabilitation Services
Through hands-on experience, site tours, and career discussions, these partners are helping our participants build confidence, practical skills, and connections for the future. 🚀
Thank you for championing inclusion and opening doors of opportunity in our community!
#IKUSLife #PreETS #CareerExploration #InclusiveEmployment #CommunityPartners
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Keep Palm and Party On! 🌴 The IKUS Annual Tropical Bash was a great time for all! 🌺🥳
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Colorful shirts and the biggest smiles! 🎨✨ Color Wars was an absolute blast for our R.E.C. Connect crew and Summer Campers this week! We came, threw powder and we covered the camp (and ourselves!) in every color imaginable! 😃
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This has been a bittersweet month as we have had to say goodbye to two incredible IKUS staff members as they move on to new places! 💙
After years of pouring their hearts into our mission, Meredith and Madison have begun new adventures, and while we are so excited for them, they are deeply missed.
Meredith, our Lead Programmer for CLS, has a creativity that is truly one of a kind! From creating unforgettable experiences for our individuals to literally building an ice cream truck (!), her imagination and dedication have left a lasting mark on all here at IKUS over her five years. 🍦❤️
Madison, our Marketing and Special Events Coordinator, has been seen taking about a billion photos over the last three years. 📸 She captured so many moments of joy, friendship, accomplishment, and laughter, helping tell the story of IKUS in a way that words never could. She also played a huge role in our events and helped share our mission with the community every single day. 💙
Thank you both for the passion, talent, and love you brought to IKUS and to every individual we serve. Your impact continues to be felt long after your last day. ❤️💚💙
Please join us in wishing Meredith and Madison the very best in their next chapters. Drop a favorite memory, a thank you, or some words of encouragement in the comments so we can give them all the love they deserve! 💙👏🎉
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💙 Happy Parent Appreciation Day! 💙
Today, we're celebrating the incredible parents, guardians, and caregivers who make the magic of Indian Trails Camp possible.
Thank you for trusting us with your campers, cheering them on through every milestone, and believing in the life-changing power of camp. Your love, support, and encouragement give them the confidence to try new things, build friendships, and create memories that last a lifetime.
Whether you're packing bags, sending encouraging notes, volunteering your time, or celebrating every achievement after camp, you're an important part of our camp family.
💚 We'd love to hear from you! What is your favorite Indian Trails Camp memory with your camper? Share it in the comments below—we can't wait to celebrate those special moments with you.
From all of us at Indian Trails Camp, thank you for being part of our community. We appreciate you today and every day. 💙
#ParentAppreciationDay #IndianTrailsCamp #CampFamily #InclusionMatters #CreatingMemories #LifeAtCamp #ThankYouParents
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💙 Meet Rob!
For the past 5 years, Rob has been making the most of every R.E.C. Connect adventure!
His favorite activities include:
🥏 SOMI Fit
🥏 Disc golf
🏐 Dodgeball
🥎 Kickball
🎨 Painting
🎉 BINGO
When he's not at R.E.C. Connect, Rob enjoys riding the exercise bike, helping with chores around the house, and working at Maggie's Be Café and Revive.
When we asked what R.E.C. Connect means to him, Rob shared:
"Getting to know a lot of people and making new friends. Coming here two days a week to play games, do crafts, and go shopping." 💙
Rob's story is a wonderful reminder that R.E.C. Connect is about so much more than activities—it's about building friendships, gaining confidence, and finding a place where everyone belongs.
Thanks to the Ottawa County Mental Health Millage, programs like R.E.C. Connect continue to provide opportunities for meaningful recreation, community involvement, and lasting connections. The Ottawa County Mental Health Millage will appear on the August 4, 2026 ballot for renewal.
🎥 Want to see R.E.C. Connect in action? Watch the Community Mental Health of Ottawa County spotlight on our program:
www.youtube.com/shorts/02itbkVo9pA
Thank you, Rob, for sharing your story! 💙
#RECConnect #IKUSLife #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityConnection #Belonging #InclusionMatters
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🎁 Wishlist Wednesday! 💙💚
Help us make a difference—one gift at a time! Every donation helps provide the supplies that make camp and year-round programs safe, fun, and inclusive for the children and adults we serve.
Shop our full wish list here:
🛒 ikuslife.org/wish-list/
Thank you for helping us create unforgettable experiences for every camper! 💙
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R.E.C. Connect exists because everyone deserves opportunities to build friendships, explore their community, and participate in meaningful experiences.
Every smile, every new friendship, and every shared adventure reminds us why this program is so special. We are incredibly grateful to our members, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners who make R.E.C. Connect what it is today.
The Ottawa County Mental Health Millage will appear on the August 4, 2026 ballot for renewal. This funding helps make R.E.C. Connect possible, ensuring individuals have access to meaningful recreation, social connection, and opportunities to thrive in our community.
To learn more about the Ottawa County Mental Health Millage, visit:
www.miottawa.org/cmh/millage
Thank you for being part of our journey. If these stories have inspired you, please help us spread awareness by liking, commenting on, and sharing our posts. Together, we can help more people learn about the impact of R.E.C. Connect. 💙
#RecConnect #ikuslife #CommunityConnection #belonging #TogetherWeGrow
Community Mental Health Millage | Ottawa County, MI
www.miottawa.org
The Mental Health Millage helps fund local programs, strengthen services, and improve access to care for residents across the county.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
☀️ SPLASH INTO SUMMER WITH US! 🌺💦
You're invited to IKUS' Annual Summer Party on Saturday, August 1st! Grab your favorite tropical shirt 🌴, bring your friends and family, and join us for an afternoon filled with fun in the sun!
🏊 Swimming
🍕 Pizza
🎉 Games
🌺 Wear a tropical shirt for a chance to win a prize!
This event is open house style, so whether you're a current participant, family member, or someone interested in learning more about IKUS and the programs we offer, we'd love to have you stop by!
📅 Saturday, August 1
🕚 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 IKUS/ITC Aquatic Center
💲 $2 per person
💙 If assistance is needed in the pool or to participate independently in activities, please bring a support person.
📧 RSVP to Myles at maten@ikuslife.org by Thursday, July 24.
We can't wait to celebrate summer with you! ☀️🌊💙
#IKUSLife #SummerParty #InclusiveCommunity #DisabilityInclusion #SplashIntoSummer #OttawaCounty #CommunityFun #LifeEnrichment #EveryoneBelongs
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💙 Meet Pat!
For around six years, Pat has been part of the R.E.C. Connect family, enjoying new experiences and the friendships that make every outing special.
When asked about favorite R.E.C. Connect activities, Pat shared:
"My favorite outings are going to stores like Target and Five Below. I like just about anything."
In Pat's free time, you'll often find them reading, coloring, doing word searches, playing cards with others, or spending time with family.
When we asked what R.E.C. Connect means to Pat, the answer was simple but powerful:
"I like R.E.C. Connect because all the people are polite and friendly." 💙
Pat's story is a reminder of the meaningful connections that happen every day through R.E.C. Connect. Thanks to the Ottawa County Mental Health Millage, programs like R.E.C. Connect continue creating opportunities for friendship, community involvement, and belonging. The Mental Health Millage will appear on the August 4, 2026 ballot for renewal.
Want to see the impact of R.E.C. Connect for yourself? Watch the Community Mental Health of Ottawa County spotlight on our program:
IKUS R.E.C. Connect Video:
www.youtube.com/shorts/02itbkVo9pA
Thank you, Pat, for sharing your story! 💙
#RECConnect #IKUSLife #MentalHealthMatters #CommunityConnection #Belonging #InclusionMatters
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💚 Happy Camp Kindness Day! 💙
At IKUS Life Enrichment Services and Indian Trails Camp, kindness is at the heart of everything we do. It’s found in friendships, encouragement, inclusion, laughter, and the moments that remind every person they belong.
Today, we join the American Camp Association and camps across the country in celebrating Camp Kindness Day and the incredible impact a little kindness can make. 🫶
Kindness is what makes camp extraordinary. 💚
#CampKindnessDay #KindnessMatters #IKUS #IndianTrailsCamp #AnotherBestDay #InclusiveCamp #ChooseKindness
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At R.E.C. Connect, every outing, event, and shared experience is about creating opportunities for people to connect with others and build lasting relationships.
From community adventures to recreational activities, our members continue to inspire us with their enthusiasm, resilience, and support for one another.
Want to learn more about R.E.C. Connect and how the Ottawa County Mental Health Millage helps make programs like this possible? Check out this recent WZZM 13 story:
www.wzzm13.com/article/news/local/ottawa-county-mental-health-millage/69-da9ce884-4e9e-446d-9aa4-...
The Ottawa County Mental Health Millage will appear on the August 4, 2026 ballot for renewal. This funding helps make R.E.C. Connect possible, allowing individuals to build friendships, strengthen their mental health, and find a true sense of belonging.
Help us spread awareness by liking, commenting on, and sharing our posts. Your support helps more people learn about the impact these programs have throughout our community. 💙
#RecConnect #ikuslife #CommunityMatters #InclusionMatters #connection
Ottawa County voters to decide renewal of critical Mental Health Millage this August
www.wzzm13.com
The Mental Health Millage, on the ballot on Aug. 4, helps provide services to Ottawa County residents struggling with mental health and substance abuse.0 CommentsComment on Facebook