February Bulletin

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February Bulletin Contents: Inclusive Theater Shows Coming March 2022 Buy an Ad or Shoutout in our Program Dine Out & Support Barrier-Free Spring & Summer Classes Autism Masking Purple Bucket Campaign Community Events Barrier-Free Announcements Join us for S’mores Wars & One Star Resort! Join us March 12 & 13 2022 for the premiere of S'mores Wars & One Star Resort, LIVE & IN PERSON! First, join us on Sweet Retreat Isle for the S'mores Wars competition! Reigning champion, Flamin' Roger, and his group of campfire friends will be coaching and cheering on a team of new competitors, each hoping to secure a win. Mix in a goofy airport crew, campfire songs, and WAY too much baggage for a laugh-out-loud adventure from start to finish! Ready? Set. S'mores! Up next, what happens when a seemingly "great deal" dream island getaway turns into a vacation nightmare? You wind up at a One Star Resort complete with a bumpy shuttle service, a vegan restaurant, and a janky maintenance man named Steve. That's right. Steve. Brace for impact! Click Here to Learn More About our Inclusive Theater Companies Click Here to Purchase Advance Tickets Buy an Ad or Shoutout in our Program Advertise or purchase a commemorative shoutout in Barrier-Free's program for S'mores Wars & One Star Resort, debuting March 12 & 13 at McDaniel College Alumni Hall Theater. Your ad will be included in our full color program and is estimated to reach 1000+ audience members across three performances. Download our PDF Ad Form Access our Digital Ad Form Shoutout & Ad Examples Join us at Glory Days! February 13 - 19 - Glory Days in Sykesville, MD will donate 10% of the WHOLE week's sales (alcohol included). Make sure to ask your server for a copy of the ITEMIZED RECEIPT (not the charge card receipt) to bring back to Barrier-Free. Receipts can be delivered to Barrier-Free staff at any program or mailed to 7520 Main St #103 Sykesville, MD 21784. This is the FINAL opportunity to help fund our Inclusive Theater Company prop, costume, and set budget! Don’t forget to share on social media! Spring/Summer Classes Now Enrolling! All Spring & Summer classes will be offered IN-PERSON. Please check class details for the location. BUNDLE & SAVE - click “Learn More” on any class. ​Currently Barrier-Free is not offering any virtual programming. Silly Songs Find Your Creative Voice! During this eight-week course, participants will gain confidence in their own voice through singalongs, music games, and songwriting workshops, culminating in an original song written by the whole group and recorded during rehearsals. Learn More Dating While Neurodiverse Join us for an 8-week class for neurodiverse adults ages 18+ where we talk about it all! We'll cover everything from the social nuances of dating and navigating relationships to sexual education, consent, and appropriate ways to communicate. Learn More Summer Improv Barrier-Free’s beloved summer class is back for ANOTHER round of acting fun! During the course of this 8-week class, participants will learn and engage in the basics of character-based improv and sketch comedy. Learn More Power Up! This 8-week class will encourage individuals to practice various physical & drama skills - coordination, balance, and nonverbal communication - through lots of fun activities and exercises. These activities will include anything from a football toss to hip-hop dancing - something to keep everyone engaged and excited! Learn More New Blog - Autism Masking "Autism masking is precisely what it sounds like- camouflaging your autism traits to fit in." Learn more about autism masking and hear first-hand from Emily Wachter, as she shares her experience with learning to unmask and how she has improved her self-identity. Purple Bucket Campaign Annually in March, Barrier-Free hosts our largest direct donation campaign of the year, lovingly called “The Purple Bucket Campaign.” The purple bucket is a nod to the early days of Barrier-Free where folks may remember their change being made out of plastic bucket. Last year, we raised $8530 in support of Barrier-Free and this year we are aiming higher! Barrier-Free is seeking donors planning to contribute amounts of $1000 or greater who want to double their impact by becoming purple bucket campaign matchers. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a campaign matcher, please reach out to us by March 1, 2022. Pictured: Barrier-Free’s 2021 Purple Bucket Campaign totals. Community Events Towson University Autism Advocacy Basketball Games Men's Basketball vs. Elon - Sunday, Feb 12 at 2pm Women's Basketball vs. College of Charleston - Sunday, Feb 20 at 2pm The Towson University Men's and Women's basketball teams are excited to host the upcoming Autism Advocacy basketball games at SECU Arena. Both teams are doing well this season, so let's support them as they chase their goals to win the conference title. Tickets: As part of the Autism community, you have access to discounted tickets ($5 off/ticket) for both games. Click on the link to purchase tickets. Promo code for both games is ADVOCACY. Buy Tickets 2022 Transition Symposium 2022 TRANSITION SYMPOSIUM​​​​​​​ A free 4-part webinar series designed for transitioning youth ages 14-21 with IEP/504 plans, their families, and professionals. The webinars will be held monthly via Zoom on February 17, March 15, April 21 and May 24, 2022. Download the FLYER or visit the REGISTRATION PAGE for more information. The State of Autism Governor Larry Hogan's Virtual Listening Tour Launches TheGovernor's Office of Community Initiatives is kicking off a series of "The State of Autism" listening sessions in all Maryland counties, starting with Howard County on Feb. 8. Sessions led by State Autism Coordinator, Katie Gandy, will be held in the other counties and Baltimore City twice weekly through May 5. The Office of Community Initiatives seeks to engage and learn from stakeholders as it builds a strategic plan to provide better resources for Maryland families. Let your voice be heard! Click Here to Learn More Thank you for you support! Co. A actors enjoying rehearsal for their upcoming show S’mores Wars.