Tag: activities

August Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

If you and your family are looking for activities in the upcoming month, you’ve come to the right place. August holds many virtual and in-person opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required.

Campus Events 

August 3rd – Family Day: PLAY: Join us at the MSU Broad Art Museum from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a hands-on and family-friendly day full of art and collage-making. Register above for this free event for all ages.

August 4th – Deep-Rooted with Beal Botanical Gardens: The Beal Botanical Gardens is hosting a summer tour from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Learn from Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Program Director, Maeve Bassett about the social, historical, and political narratives within plants in the garden and artwork in the MSU Broad Art Collection. Registration for this free event is encouraged. 

August 25th – Sparticipation: Come to MSU’s largest Fall Welcome Tradition, Sparticipation, to check out over 600 organizations that Michigan State has to offer within 30 different departments. Whether you are a student looking for clubs to become a part of or just curious about campus life, you don’t want to miss out on this one. No registration is needed for this free event at IM East Field from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Learning Opportunities 

August 8th & 22nd – Deepening Your Essential Skills: If you have completed a course by Spartan Resilience Education, you are eligible to continue learning at this webinar. Here you can ask questions, raise topics and build community with your peers. Be sure to register for this free course through the link above! 

Family Friendly Events 

August 8th – Bubble Day: Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden invites you and your family to celebrate the end of summer vacation at the garden with bubbles! As you explore the world of bubbles, you can eat, paint, and even make music with bubbles. Check out the link above for parking information. The cost is $5 per child.. 

August 9th – 11th – St. Johns Mint Festival: Join us at the 39th annual St. Johns Mint Festival featuring a craft show, flea market, live entertainment and activities for those of all ages. This 3- day event allows visitors to explore a variety of handmade crafts and unique items, and enjoy live music from local artists. Check out their website for parking information. 

August 10th – Meridian Pride Event: Come by and celebrate the 2024 Meridian Pride Event from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Marketplace on the Green Pavilion (1995 Central Park Drive). Meridian Pride brings together LGBTQ+ members, allies, and organizations to celebrate diversity and inclusion within the community. There will be food trucks, music, advocacy resources, art vendors, yard games and live entertainment. Check out the link above for more information. 

August 17th – Old Town ArtFeast: Celebrate art and food from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and check out art, craft vendors, food trucks and more. Experience downtown Lansing at this event and come see the town’s unique bars, boutiques, and restaurants. No registration is required for this event.

August 31st & September 1st – Michigan Chicken Wing Festival: If you and your family are looking for a fun-filled weekend in the Lansing area, come on by the Michigan Chicken Wing Festival. Adado Riverfront Park will be hosting a 2-day event featuring live music, a kids’ zone, a VIP tent, food trucks and vendors, arts and crafts, and most importantly – chicken wings! This event is held as a fundraiser to support Against All Odds for their free boutique (Lilian’s) inside Lansing Mall. Against All Odds provides services to the homeless, cancer survivors, disabled, Veterans, and those that need a little help with everyday needs. Read more about the Michigan Chicken Wing Festival in the link above for more information and important notes on what to bring.

Farmers Markets

Farmer’s markets are beloved events in many local communities allowing us an opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses and enjoy delicious produce, baked goods, and even homemade crafts and personal care items. Many Greater Lansing communities offer seasonal farmer’s markets. Find one near you at https://mifma.org/find-a-farmers-market/

Save the Date for October 3: The Open Enrollment Benefits Fair is early this year on Thursday, October 3 at Breslin Center. MSU benefit providers and MSU HR staff will be available to answer questions and/or help employees enroll in their benefits on-site at the Breslin Student Events Center. More information will be shared closer to the event date. Mark your calendar and stay tuned for details!

August Events Round-Up

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

Resistance Training: Arts, Sports, and Civil Rights to Open at Broad Art Museum: A new exhibition will be available at the Broad Art Museum from August 19-February 2024. The exhibition explores the shared values between artists and athletes in the advancement of social justice-related issues.

August 27- Sparticipation: Come to MSU’s annual involvement fair that features over 500 student organizations, 30 departments and sponsors. This free event is a great way to kick off any Spartan’s journey. 

Learning Opportunities

August 10- Leading WIth Cultural Competence: MSU HR is hosting an in-person event on recognizing elements of self-awareness, eliminating/countering stereotypes and reinforcing behaviors that support cultural competency.

August 10- Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Beal Botanical Garden Staff Favorites: Join staff at the Beatl Botanical Gardens for a lunchtime tour (12:10-12:55 p.m.) of their favorite plants and what makes them special. 

August 16- Strategic Planning Seminar: MSU HR is hosting a leadership that focuses on taking your ideas and turning them into action. Join online from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

August 22- Identify and Maximize Your Strengths Seminar: Complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment to tap into your full potential and talents. Join this seminar in-person from 1:00-5:00 p.m. 

August 24- THATCamp: THATCamp (The Humanities and Technology Camp) is an opportunity to start the semester with peers and experts by sharing knowledge and experiences in humanities and technology-related fields. This event will be from 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Registration is encouraged. 

Health and Wellness

August 3- Deepening Your Essential Skills: Register for this free course brought to you by Health4U via Zoom to deepen and develop your essential skills. This meeting is scheduled for 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM. 

Yoga in Beal Garden II: This second phase of yoga in the Beal Botanical Gardens will work to accommodate a workday schedule and promote being active. Yoga in the Beal Garden will run from July 12- August 16, every Wednesday starting at 12:15 pm. 

August 25- Let Your Summer Produce Shine: Discover local produce and Michigan fruit availability and how to incorporate produce in the kitchen. This is a free in-person event and will be hosted at the MSU Union. 

Family-Friendly Activities

August 5- Family Day: MOVE: Make creative connections with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum. All ages are welcome. Registration for this free event is encouraged.

August 14- Open House at the MSU Bug House: Visit the MSU Bug House on Monday, August 14 between 5:30 and 7:30 pm! All are welcome. Registration is required.

Staycation Activities

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Are you looking for some fun activities for the family this summer, but want to stay local? Check out these East Lansing gems for family fun or date nights.

The Graduate

The Graduate Hotel in East Lansing features the Graduate Rock Bar. This rooftop restaurant is perfect for the whole family or date night. Enjoy their incredible view of MSU campus. The Graduate Rock Bar is open seven days a week and 21+ only after 8 p.m. For more information, click here.

East Lansing Family Aquatic Center

Now open! The East Lansing Family Aquatic Center is the perfect place to soak in the sun with the whole family. The Aquatic Center has a variety of features including a sunbathing deck, drop slide, splash park and more. The Aquatic Center is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. For more information on rates and passes, click here.

East Lansing Farmers Market

This growers-only market is the perfect place for a Sunday getaway. The market features Michigan products and produce like fruit, cheese, flowers and more. The market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Valley Court Park. For more information, click here.

U Pick Fruit

Fresh Michigan fruit is always a highlight but picking it yourself makes it even sweeter! U Pick farms in-and-around Lansing have a wide selection of blueberries, strawberries, peaches and apples. U Pick Fruit is the perfect excuse to get outside and support Michigan farmers. For more information on U Pick Fruit near you, click here. 

ArtPath Lansing

Lansing Art Gallery and Exhibition is partnering with the City of Lansing for their 6th annual ArtPath. Find sculptures, murals and natural materials along two and half miles of the Lansing River Trail. ArtPath is the perfect interactive and creative summer activity for families. To view the locations for ArtPath 2023, click here. 

River Town Adventures

Looking for a way to cool off without heading to Lake Michigan? River Town Adventures is located in Downtown Lansing and accepts walk-ups/appointments for kayak/canoe rentals. River Town Adventures showcases the beauty of the Grand River and other local waterways. For more information on rentals and their environmental mission, click here. 

Potter Park Zoo

Potter Park Zoo is open 364 days a year and always welcomes visitors to see their wide variety of wildlife. Tickets can be purchased online or in-person, however, members & Ingham County Residents must login prior to making selections to receive discounted rates. For ticket pricing and a list of attractions, click here. 

Fitzgerald Park Disc Golf 
Looking for a new favorite outdoor sport? Fitzgerald Park in Eaton County has its own free disc golf course. If you are in need of equipment, starter set rentals are available with the park’s gate attendant. For more information and a map of the course, click here.

What’s your favorite local activity or destination? Share with us in the comments!

August Events Round-up

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Are you looking to find events for you and your family this month? There are activities (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community that are perfect for summer. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events

Starts August 3 – 25th Annual Muelder Summer Carillon Concert Series (free): Enjoy the bells of Beaumont Tower, for free, every Wednesday.

August 6 – Family Day: Grow (free): Enjoy Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum. There will be hands-on, interactive activities throughout the museum.

August 14 – Architecture Tour (free): Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the MSU Broad Art Museum by learning more about the building’s unique architecture.

Starts August 18 – Tuesdays with Morrie: Come see the play based on the best-selling memoir of all time, Tuesdays with Morrie at the Wharton Center.

August 18 – Vince Gill featuring Wendy Moten: Enjoy music from recording artist Vince Gill and singer from The Voice, Wendy Moten at the Wharton Center. 

August 27 – Public Making Hours (free): Join fellow community members in working on creative projects.

Lansing Events

Starts August 2 –  Michigan Princess Lunchtime Cruise: Enjoy lunch and music from Dixieland Jazz Band on a cruise down the river on August 2 and 18. 

August 3 – Concert in the Park (free): Enjoy music from Global Village at parks all over LansingAugust 18 – Zoo Night: Come see the Potter Park Zoo after hours with drinks and food. For guests 21 and over. 

August 20 – Art Feast (free to enter): Enjoy this arts and craft festival in the heart of Old Town Lansing. 

Health and Wellness

Starts August 3 – Explorations in Eating (free): Learn what “normal eating” looks like with registered dietician, Abby Richey, on Teams August 3, 17 and 31. 

Starts August 3 – Fresh Air Fitness: Pilates in the Garden (free): Enjoy the outdoors and pilates in the W.J. Beal Botanical Garden on August 3, 10 and 17. 

August 21 – Wellness Weekend Series: Movement Workshop (free): Move, converse and interact in a low pressure environment meant for all people.

Family-Friendly Activities

August 1 – Sensory Friendly Hours: Visit the Impression5 Science Center for their sensory friendly hours.

August 2 – National Night Out: Touch-a-Truck (free): Bring the whole family to explore fire trucks, ambulances, police vehicles and more.

Starts August 5 – Chasing the Ghost Particle: From the South Pole to the Edge of the Universe: Learn about Earth’s most remote locations at the Abrams Planetarium every weekend.

Starts August 5 – Summer Concert Series (free): Enjoy live performances on Friday nights in the Ann Street Plaza.  

Starts August 5 – SkyTellers: Seasons and Moon: Hear from Native American Master Storytellers at the Abrams Planetarium every Sunday.

August 6 – 49th Annual Art Fair (free): Enjoy a fine arts and craft show in historic downtown Grand Ledge.

August 8  – MSU Bug House Monday Night Open House (free): View insects from all over the world at the MSU Bug House.

June Events Round-up

Published on by Megan MacGregorLeave a comment

Are you looking for activities for you and your family to join this month? You’ll find plenty of events, courses, and activities (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the surrounding area. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the link if you’re interested in learning more.

Events on Campus

  • June 16 – Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Native Plant Strategies for Attracting Great Insects: whether we’re talking about butterflies or mosquito eaters, join Beal Garden curator Peter Carrington to learn about a host of insects that can make our outdoor lives more interesting, colorful, and safe if we allow them to participate.
  • June 17 – MSU Juneteenth Celebration: join the second annual MSU Juneteenth Celebration from 5-9 p.m. at the Breslin Center. Juneteenth (abbreviation for June 19th) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
  • June 18 – Unconditional Love Fund 5K: the Unconditional Love Fund 5K is a run, walk, stroll or roll to raise funds to support the MSU Gender and Sexuality Campus Center.
  • June 21 – Come Out! In Detroit: a conversation with illustrator Isabel Clare Paul and historian Tim Retzloff who teamed up to create the comic “Come Out! In Detroit,” in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Christopher Street Detroit ’72, the first LGBTQ+ pride celebration in Michigan. Grab a free copy of the comic and don’t forget to stop by the exhibit showcasing the materials used for research to create the comic.

Health and Wellness

  • Every Wednesday – Pilates in the Garden: come stretch, meet friends, and enjoy an outdoor lunch hour exercise class at W.J. Beal Botanical Garden. Admission is free.
  • Starts June 1 – Self-Compassion – An Essential Skill for Success: based on the research of Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. BrenĂ© Brown, this course will provide an overview of the research on self-compassion, define what self-compassion is and challenge the myths about self-compassion that lead people to be overly harsh and critical with themselves.
  • June 14 – Sleep: Understanding and Optimizing Your Nightly Reboot: this class will explore the science of sleep, the impact sleep has on overall health and wellbeing, and how to improve your sleep quality.
  • June 20 – Rest with Music: enjoy a live musical performance to listen, relax, reflect and rest with music. Join in-person or virtual.
  • June 29 – Intro to Ergonomics: this session will explore the basics of ergonomic aides, injury prevention, how to set up a workstation, and stretches/exercises for keeping work-related pain at bay.

Family-Friendly Activities

  • Various June Dates – Summer Circle Theatre: after a two-year hiatus the mid-Michigan tradition is back for its 60th Anniversary celebration of FREE theatre. 
  • June 4 – Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum: join friends from the Potter Park Zoo and take a closer look at art inspired by animals in the MSU Broad collection. All ages are welcome.
  • June 15 – Wild Wednesdays: Frogs: families with children under 7 are invited to our Wild Wednesday summer programs! Join a naturalist along the trail for a fun, interactive activity.  Each week will have either a nature-themed craft or a chance to explore more of our natural world! This week’s feature: FROGS!
  • June 17 – “Scrap Hat” Craft-In: for this drop-in craft-in, Spartan Upcycle staff will be joined by puppet artists and MSU faculty Steve Baibak and Pia Banzhaf, who will help us bring our visions to reality! Swing by, see what strikes you, and have fun exploring what’s possible when we rethink fashion and try on the unconventional! 

Learning Opportunities

  • Starts June 7 – The Parent Talk System Webinar Series: a parenting workshop designed to improve communication and provide practical strategies for raising confident, caring, and responsible children.
  • Starts June 7 – Conflict Management and Non-Escalation: the primary goals of this course are conflict resolution, de-escalation, crisis management, and everyone’s safety. This training will prepare participants to apply the taught skills to real-life situations and to retain those skills over time.
  • June 7 – Welcome to MSU: if you are new or returning to Michigan State University, the Greater Lansing area, Michigan, or the United States, the WorkLife Office can help connect you to campus and community resources.
  • June 9 – Facilitating Process Improvement: participants will identify leading process improvement frameworks, develop a project plan using RAPID methodology, adopt facilitation best practices, and identify key elements of project success.
  • June 14 – (TIAA Webinar) Financial Finishing Touches for Women: am I ready to retire? How do I know if I have enough? How do I plan my income? What should I look out for as I plan and even after I am retired? Financial success can often complicate your life, and we are going to try to help you answer these questions and more.
  • June 14 – Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: the CliftonStrenths Assessment identifies your natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving so that you can discover what makes you exceptional and maximize your potential.
  • June 16 – (TIAA Webinar) Saving for Your Ideal Retirement: find out how retirement savings, planning, and the real benefit of time are essential features of retirement investments.
  • June 17 – Engaging Teams for Maximum Performance: methods of building trust, setting goals, and providing feedback to help enhance employee engagement and working relationships will be shared.
  • June 22 – Performance Management for Hybrid Teams: this class will share best practices, and identify tips and strategies for developing strong and high-performing hybrid teams using MSU’s Performance Excellence process.
Three photos placed side-by-side. First an image of a sailboat with the MSU helmet, then a photo of a group doing yoga, and lastly an image of a tennis racket and tennis balls with the MSU logo.

Get Active this Spring: Fitness Resources for MSU Employees

Published on by Megan MacGregorLeave a comment

Updated March 2023

Warmer weather on the horizon means more opportunities to get outside! If you need some ideas to help you and your family get active this spring, the following resources and opportunities are available for MSU employees:

In-person Opportunities

  • Biking: One of the easiest ways to add exercise to your daily routine is to attach it to an activity or habit you perform already, such as your commute to work. MSU Bikes provides support with a variety of commuter resources to help you bike to work with confidence, including a 1-on-1 Bike Commuter Assistance service which helps you find the safest, lowest-stress route to and from campus to your neighborhood. If you’re working remotely, there are a variety of Greater Lansing area biking groups you could join instead. The MSU Bikes Service Center also offers new and used bikes, rentals (long and short term), as well as a repair service.
  • Sailing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, and Kayaking: The MSU Sailing Center is located on Lake Lansing in Haslett just east of campus. The Sailing Center strives to provide a safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environment for all participants. Consider participating in one of their many programs, including a learn-to-sail course, paddle sports, group outings, and private lessons. MSU employees can receive a discounted rate for membership.
  • Tennis: At the MSU Tennis Center you can book a court for singles or doubles or participate in one of their adult instructional classes or drill sessions. There’s something for everyone with classes geared toward both beginners and pro-level players.
  • Golf: MSU Forest Akers offers teaching programs for golfers of all ages and abilities, including adult group classes and private instruction, and a casual golf league for all skill levels. MSU employees can also access the golf range and courses at discounted rates.
  • Swimming: Present a valid staff or faculty ID to use one of the pools available on campus for laps or open swimming during designated pool hours.
  • Group Fitness Classes: MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness offer a variety of group fitness classes with membership pricing for MSU employees.

Virtual Opportunities

  • MSU Benefits Plus offers a bunch of health and wellness discounts, including a virtual gym membership through GlobalFit. After you log in to MSU Benefits Plus, select Employee Discounts from the top navigation, then Health and Wellness – GlobalFit will be one of the options.
  • Sign up for a virtual Chair Yoga or Good Form Walking/Running class through MSU Health4U.

Articles and Resources to Increase Motivation:

flowers, trees and the Beaumont Tower at MSU.

MSU Spring Events, Activities and Courses Round-Up

Published on by Megan MacGregor1 Comment

We hope you and your family enjoy this round-up of events, activities and courses around campus.

Outside Activities

  • Get outside and hike the beautiful trails at the Kellogg Biological Station Bird Sanctuary Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Additionally, check out their calendar of virtual events. 
  • The W. J. Beal Botanical Garden on campus is an outdoor laboratory for the study and appreciation of plants. If you follow the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden Facebook page, you’ll know that spring flowers have started to blossom. The garden is open for you to walk around and enjoy the plants in a beautiful setting, but please follow COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and stay safe. 

Art/Performance

  • The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum has a variety of current exhibitions that are free and open to the public with social distancing and enhanced safety measures in place, including daily limited spots available. Please reserve your free tickets here. Additionally, they are offering many interesting, free online events.
  • The Wharton Center is dedicated to sharing the power of the performing arts with the community by offering Wharton at Home activities for both adults and children.

Learning Opportunities

We hope you all will remain safe and healthy and continue to practice social distancing until we are able to see each other on campus again. In the meantime, wear a mask, wash your hands often, and enjoy these campus activities.