There was plenty of fall fun for participants in The Arc of Essex County’s Adult Recreation programs, with seasonal outings, creative activities, and opportunities to celebrate Halloween with friends. Here’s a look at some of the month’s highlights:

• Bowling continued at Bowlero Belleville, where participants enjoyed friendly competition on October 10, 17, and 24 while practicing their skills, keeping score, and cheering each other on.
• The Caldwell Kiwanis Street Fair on October 4 offered a chance to get out in the community and enjoy a lively afternoon filled with entertainment, live music, arts and crafts, shopping, and delicious food.
• Fall crafting was on the calendar October 11, when participants gathered at Studio Arc to create decorative pumpkin hoops using fabric, paint, and autumn embellishments. Everyone had an opportunity to express their creativity while making a festive decoration to take home.
• Pumpkin picking and a hayride brought the group to Two Sisters Farm in Long Valley on October 18 for a day of seasonal fun. Participants had the opportunity to enjoy the farm’s fall attractions, explore the farm store, have a fun and scenic hayride, and bring home a pumpkin of their own.
• Hotel Respite offered another weekend getaway October 23 to 25, giving participants a chance to enjoy activities and time with friends while providing caregivers with a well-deserved break. A highlight of the weekend was a visit to Wild West City in Stanhope, where the group stepped back in time for a day of Western-themed fun. Participants enjoyed a scenic train ride that included a surprise encounter with a Wild West robber, watched entertaining cowboy shows, visited farm animals, and explored the shops.
• A Halloween Costume Dance delivered plenty of spooky fun to Opportunity Zone in Maplewood on October 25. Participants celebrated the season with music, dancing, games, and Halloween crafts. A costume contest that gave everyone a chance to show off their creativity, and winners were awarded prizes.
• Throughout October, Saturday Group Respite and weekday After-Work programs also provided regular opportunities for participants to socialize with peers while enjoying arts and crafts, games, cooking, community outings, and other activities.
• Saturday Respite 2 visited the Halloween Party host by LACD in Livingston. The group enjoyed dancing, lunch and a variety of arts and crafts with their peers.  
• Tasty Treats wrapped up their last class on October 21 by learning to prepare a Mediterranean wrap and enjoying it for dinner. Each participant received a parting gift of a framed photo of them dressed in their apron and chef hat.

The Adult Recreation program is always looking for new ways to enrich the lives of its participants and provide them with enjoyable and meaningful experiences. If your loved one with intellectual or developmental disabilities is interested in educational programming, community experiences, seasonally themed events, or weekend group respite programs, you can learn more about all these activities on The Arc’s Recreation Services page and view the current Recreation Catalog. Contact Dacia King-Sarkodie at (973) 535-1181 ext. 1272 or dking@arcessex.org for more information.