An exciting and vital part of community life in Family & Graduate Housing includes the many free activities and programs offered for residents of all ages. We enjoy offering these opportunities to you and your family and hope that you will have time to get involved. Hundreds of activities take place each year.
Bus Trips
Each year, Family & Graduate Housing sponsors several bus trips to explore nearby cities, such as Chicago, St. Louis, or Indianapolis. The staff plans the trip and develops an itinerary. Everyone is welcome to participate and there are fees for some trips. Bus trips fill up quickly, so watch your apartment newsletter for information about upcoming excursions. Additionally, we provide regular transportation to the grocery store and local shopping areas.
Cooking Club
Cooking Club is an enthusiastic group of cooks who attend a weekly cooking demonstration. Each week, residents share one of their favorite recipes. This program is a wonderful way to meet other residents and to sample and exchange recipes from around the world. Children are welcome to attend with parents.
Craft Club
The Craft Club is a great opportunity for residents in our community to learn about each other’s cultures and family traditions, make crafts, and learn a new skill.
Kids Club After-School Program
This program serves children age five through twelve years old. The children participate in various activities, such as crafts, games, sports, cooking, and field trips. Read more about Kids Club.
Learning Opportunities
A variety of workshops are offered each year such as winter preparedness, health education, tax preparation, English classes, and parenting classes. If there is a topic that is of particular interest to you, please contact the Family & Graduate Housing office, since it is possible that a workshop could be developed on that topic.
New Resident Programs
Family & Graduate Housing offers many programs to make the transition to our new community as smooth as possible for new residents. The New Resident Series is a sequence of programs aimed at getting residents acclimated to the community. Family & Graduate Housing sponsors a reception and a dinner to give new residents an opportunity to socialize with each other. Other new resident programs include school orientation, physicals for school-age children, transportation to community agencies, yard sales, grocery stores, and more.
Parent-Child Playgroups
Parent-Child Playgroups provide support, educational resources, health information, and development activities to parents, expecting parents, and young children from birth to five years old. Children are welcome to attend our meetings with their parents. Playgroup is a good way to meet and share experiences with other parents, and to encourage development of their child’s social skills. Meeting times and days are promoted in the “Neighborly News” and on the Orchard Downs calendar.
Social Programs
A wide variety of free social programs are available in the apartments. Cultural events celebrating the diversity of our residents are often the most popular activities we offer. We host an International Food Festival to showcase the food from the many cultures represented in our community, and also hold theme parties, bingo nights, music nights, celebration of cultural holidays, and informal gatherings for residents. Ashton Woods and Goodwin-Green apartment complexes offer regular Social Hours that provide residents with the opportunity to meet new people and socialize. Details are advertised in the newsletter. Annually, we celebrate the beginning of the academic year with Fall Festival and the end of the year with the Final Fling. Both events provide food and entertainment for all residents and their families.