Soccer Clinics (Ages 4+)

We are excited to partner with a local intramural soccer team, Austin City FC, again for a winter soccer clinic. Participants will learn soccer basics and develop their soccer skills as they meet new people and reconnect with old friends.

Dates: Saturdays 12/2, 12/9, 1/6, and 1/13
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 am (Note: if there is enough interest, we will break this into two time segments based on age)
Location: Avila Creative Soccer
601 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78745
Ages: All ages
Suggested Donation: $10

Creative Movement dance class (ages 4-7)

Please join DSACT parent and dance instructor, Emily Adams, on Sundays at 2 pm starting October 8th for a Movement Class geared to aspiring dancers between the ages of 4-7. Using a wide variety of fun music Emily will help students explore different kinds of movement styles and dance genres. Siblings are welcome to participate. Parents/Caregivers are welcome to be in the studio to observe or may sit outside the room in the lobby adjacent to the studio. 

Dates: Sundays, October 8- November 12
Time: 2:00-2:50 pm
Location: Balance Dance Studio (#5)
 4544 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78745
Ages: 4-7
Suggested Donation: $20 

FAMILY PADDLE DAY (AGES 8+)

Please join DSACT and Texas Rowing For All for a Family Paddle Day on November 4. Join us for an afternoon of fun on the water while we build kayaking skills. The paddle day is for members ages 8+, plus one adult family member (age 18+).

Date: Saturday, November 4
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: Texas Rowing Center
1541 W Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78703
Ages: 8+
Cost: We are offering this class for free this fall for families to experience what our programs are all about!

Contemporary Dance Class (ages 8-12)

Please join DSACT parent and dance instructor, Emily Adams, on Sundays at 3 pm starting October 8th for a Contemporary Dance Class geared to dancers 8-12 years old. Students will learn contemporary dance technique as well as original choreography culminating in an informal showing on the last day of class in the studio. Parents/Caregivers are welcome to be in the studio to observe, or may sit outside the room in the lobby adjacent to the studio. 

Dates: Sundays, October 8- November 12
Time: 3:00-3:50 pm
Location: Balance Dance Studio (#5)
4544 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78745
Ages: 8-12
Suggested Donation: $20

Line Dancing (Ages 13+)

Line dancing is back! This class will focus on two step line dancing and Latin Salsa line dancing, while incorporating moves from our very own members. Students will learn to move their bodies, add combinations and at the same time enjoy the best and most fun Country and Salsa music! 

Dates: Saturdays, October 28 - December 9
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Balance Dance Studios (Studio 3)
4544 S Lamar Blvd #200
Austin, TX 78745
Ages: 13+
Suggested Donation: $20

Walking/Running Club (Ages 13+)

Starting November 11th, DSACT and Swift Fit Events will host a weekly downtown run club for all levels.  We'll encourage movement through running, dance-walking, and whatever else gets you motivated and moving. This is the longest program we've hosted to date, and we are so excited to facilitate this wonderful way to form meaningful friendships!

If participants choose, they can use this program as a training plan to run in a race for the Austin Marathon: 5k, Half Marathon or Marathon on February 18. As an official charity of the Austin Marathon, we are offering free race registrations for participants who fundraise for DSACT! Learn more here. If you want to register for the race without fundraising, join the team @downsyndromectx to be a part of the DSACT Team!

The run club will meet from 9 to 10 AM every Saturday at the YMCA Town Lake, and we will have run instructors and guides to lead the group along Ladybird Trail.

Dates: Saturdays, November 11 - February 10 (No session November 25, December 23 or December 30)
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Location: Townlake YMCA
1100 W Cesar Chavez St
Austin, TX 78703 
Ages: 13+
Suggested Donation: $20

Virtual book club (ages 16+)

DSACT is partnering with Emily Yisa to continue the virtual book club. The group chooses the book during the first session. You are welcome to purchase the book if you like, but it is not required. Emily will have the Kindle version to display on screen during each session. The group reads the book during meetings, so there is also no need to read between sessions.

Dates: Thursdays, December 7 - February 1 (skipping December 14)
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Ages: 16+
Suggested Donation: $10

Speak Your Heart (Ages 18+)

Are you passionate about something near and dear to you? Do you want others to care as much about your passion as you do? In Joshua's Stage Speak Your Heart! 4-week course you will build your self-confidence in self-advocacy while you learn to write and proudly deliver an original 2-minute speech for a captive audience! You’ll make great friends along the way while building both your performance and social skills. Students who complete this course are eligible to become official Ambassadors for the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas (DSACT) where they will have the opportunity to fulfill critical roles such as speaking engagements and/or representing DSACT at the Texas Legislature. 

Dates: Saturdays, October 21 - November 11
Time: 10:00-11:15 am
Ages: 18+
Location: DSACT Multipurpose Room
4006 N Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78756
Suggested Donation: $20

DSACT participation waiver

All program and event participants are required to agree and sign the below waiver at time of registration:

On behalf of my family members attending DSACT programs and events and myself, and the heirs and personal representatives of either (collectively, "Attendees"), I forever waive, release, discharge and covenant not to sue Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas ("DSACT"), or the officers, Board members, sponsors, organizers, volunteers, agents, employees, independent contractors, and/or other representatives and/or their successors and assigns of DSACT (collectively, “DSACT Parties”), for any and all injuries, illness, or damages of any kind whatsoever suffered by my family members and/or myself arising in connection with DSACT programs and events. I grant permission to DSACT to use any/all photos or videos taken of participant for any DSACT promotional purpose, including but not limited to the website, newsletter, brochures, sponsor letters, or other promotional items.

In the event my family members or I should require medical care in connection with a DSACT program or event, I acknowledge that I am financially responsible for any costs of such care or treatment.

I further represent and warrant that I am authorized to execute this Waiver on behalf of Attendees. If I am parent but not guardian of the others, I hereby represent and warrant to DSACT Parties that there are no custody or other legal agreements or arrangements which limit or restrict me from executing this release on behalf of these others.

This release of liability will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of Texas. Venue for any cause of action in connection with this release will be in Travis County, Texas.