Berkeley County is fast growing, and with it comes more demand for accessibility every day! We are blessed to have the new Central Creek Park in Goose Creek for children to enjoy. There's another adaptive playground coming to Moncks Corner as well! So as it seems that the cities of Goose Creek and Moncks Corner have recognized the need for more inclusive settings/events, it is my goal here at Macaroni KID Moncks Corner to help local businesses recognize this as well!
If you are a business that would like
to make your own inclusive programs and
events, but you're unsure of where to start,
please contact me at kierstane@macaronikid.com!
Already have an inclusive event you want to share?
Submit you inclusive events/program information here.
1. Therapeutic Thursdays @ Central Creek Park
As I mentioned a moment ago, we have an excellent adaptable playground for children located in Goose Creek, SC! This playground is next level on its inclusion and presentation. They not only provide this playground, but the staff at the city of Goose Creek utilize it well. Every third Thursday of the month from 5-7pm you can find Therapeutic Thursdays taking place at Central Creek. Therapists come out to work with the children, and the gates are closed during this time. Your child can play and explore as freely as they please during this time frame.
Hannah Miller is a central point of contact for any of the adaptive play days/events, and she even has a newsletter to keep you up-to-date! Send her an email at hmiller@cityofgoosecreek.com for more information.
2. SuperStars Program @ Children's Museum of the Lowcountry
A popular program is the SuperStars program at the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry. This FREE program takes place on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month. Children can learn, explore, and grow their confidence at their own pace without the crowds and overstimulation! More information can be found here.
Their website even says there are accessibility kits filled with glasses, headphones, etc for you to use while visitm CML, just stop by the front desk!
3. Lowcountry Autism Foundation
The Lowcountry Autism Foundation has a plethora of resources for local families. Music therapy, art therapy, swimming lessons, equine therapy, and so much more! Get in contact wtih them, and they'll help you get set up with all the events! Here's their website for a starting point.
4. Sensory Jump @ Flight Charleston
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, Flight Charleston hosts a low noise/low (or no) crowds from 10am-11am. Children who have sensory overstimulation will be able to jump around and enjoy their time here with less fuss! Check out their website for more information and tickets.
5. Old Santee Canal Park
Santee Canal Park has an endless calendar of programs for children to enjoy. Their learning center is wheelchair accessible by their entrance, exit, and stair lift. Check out their website for more information on programs, and of course the Macaroni KID Moncks Corner calendar has their events listed too at times!
Author's Thoughts:
Many businesses have already taken up "sensory time" or private event times for children with disabilities, and while this is a step in the right direction, we need more of these opportunities all over! We do not want to solely focus on separation, because "inclusion" and "separation" are two different things. There's a time and a place for separation, and there's a time for inclusion! Those times are dictated by the child's individual needs, and you can look to none other than their parents (or the child themself) for guidance on when to include or separate. Separation only occurs when it benefits the child more to do so. Please understand this when you are thinking about offering these kinds of events!
