This page is intended to be a collection of activity ideas and best practices from Minnesota’s Activity Professionals. If you have a resource, best practice or great idea that you would like to share, please email the details to [email protected]
Ten New Ways to Play BINGO!
These ten ways to play Bingo was shared by Pam Hayle at the Fall 2013 Conference “Top 30” pre-session.
Download Bingo Games List (pdf)
Puzzlemaker Website
Create and print customized word search, criss-cross, math puzzles, and more-using your own word lists.
Let’s Go Fishing With Seniors
Let’s Go Fishing With Seniors Website
1025 19th Ave SW
Willmar, MN 56201
320-235-8448
Email Let’s Go Fishing With Seniors
Let’s Go Fishing is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals through fishing and boating excursions that strengthen communities, build relationships and create memories.
Fishing and boating is such a common past-time for Minnesotans and we may often take for granted how easy it is for many of us to enjoy our state’s beautiful lakes and rivers. LGF returns the outdoor experience to those whom might not otherwise have the opportunity to fish, boat or enjoy time with friends on the water. Since our inception in 2002, we have served over 91,000 seniors, youth, veterans and disabled adults. Today 30 LGF chapters exist throughout Minnesota and 1 in Wisconsin.
ADVENTURE PARTNERS LLC
Mark Peterson, President
Producers of the MN FIELD TRIP LIBRARY & EXPO
8014 Highway 55, Suite 130
Minneapolis, MN 55427
612-518-8353
Email Mark
MN Field Trip Library Website
A quality resource for activities
Dedicated to providing resource services for individuals of ALL ages, the MN Field Trip Library & EXPO offers a website, a printed, annual guide, monthly emails and the Annual Field Trip EXPO (held each August) – all of which are free for activity professionals and staff who plan educational, recreational and leisure programming for Retirement Communities, Adult Day Programs, Group Homes, Special Care for Seniors, Community/Senior Centers, Tour Planners & Operators, and Retirement & Church Organizations.
Simply go to the password-free MN Field Trip Library website – to begin your planning. From there you’ll be able to discover all types of ideas and programs, download brochures & flyers (free of charge), sign up for our monthly newsletter that tells about new field trips and programs we discover, and RSVP for the annual MN Field Trip EXPO where you’ll be able to meet the people on the other end of the phone!
Finally, when you go to the Download Center on our website, go to our download carousel and open the MN FIELD TRIP GUIDE! That is this year’s issue of our annual “hands-on” resource for you.
As you see, we have numerous ways to discover a whole range of activities that fit your needs like a glove!
Meternally
Sally Mathews Inglett
President & Founder
MEternally, LLC
(833) 733-8866
meternally.com
Since 2015, Brian and Sally Inglett of MEternally, LLC have exhibited at the MNSWAP Conference as vendors, and their product line has grown each year. This family owned, Minnesota based business, listens to the ideas and feedback of attendees and uses this information when developing new products and collections. They specialize in reminiscence therapy and use a person-centered approach rather than disease or generational specifics. Anyone can participate in and benefit from reminiscence.
What started as a DVD has grown to a line of not only DVDs but also activity and photo cards. Their easy to use, high quality products are a hit with both residents and staff. In response to those who no longer use DVDs, they have created an online reminiscence video library whose content just continues to grow. Try a FREE 30 day trial!
They not only provide products to caregivers and individuals but have formed relationships with public libraries and created special packaging so that their products can be checked out, and returned by the public after use. Their large photo and activity cards are laminated to facilitate sanitizing between uses.
Check out their website, online video library and blog at www.meternally.com, and don’t forget to stop by their MNSWAP Conference booth. (They always bring good treats!)
DAVID JONES HISTORICAL PRESENTATIONS
David Jones
612-619-3468
[email protected]
Website: www.djhistoricalpresentations.com
David makes history come alive! He presents on several historical topics. He has his own A/V equipment and shows an easy-to-follow powerpoint. He has been speaking to a wide range of audiences since 1996. And, because he knows his material, he is able to speak without notes – audience members find him to be very engaging!
Quote: “I wish all of my guest speakers were as low maintenance as you. You came in and set up and were ready to go. And, then you gave a great presentation to top it off. Thank you!” -Activity Coordinator
Terry D. Rey
The T-Bone Rey Show
1409 Holdridge Terrace
Wayzata, MN 55391
[email protected]
tbonerey.com
I have a solo acoustic guitar and vocal show, featuring, but not exclusive to, Classic Country and Western hits from the ‘50’s and up. I engage the audience and try to give them a “Real Nashville Show”, complete with costume.
My fee is $100 per hour, (one hour minimum), with a travel fee based on distance from my home. No fee for Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Always open to negotiate.
SaltandPrep.com
Kari Robak
Contact info: [email protected]
Web Address: SaltandPrep.com
SaltandPrep.com is a subscription service that gives you access to prepped materials including calendars, puzzles, games, trivia, and more! We do the prep work so you can play!
Amy’s Inspirations (jewelry)
Amy Wielinski
[email protected]
Inspirational and costume jewelry at affordable prices. Everything is $20 or less.
Spiritwood Senior Living Network Spiritwood Foundation
Donna Surface, Executive Director
218-349-7908
Email Donna – [email protected]
Website: https://spiritwoodseniorlivingnetwork.com/
We are dedicated to making SLN the most valuable tool in your toolbox.
After Donna’s father died of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2004, she formed The Spiritwood Foundation – a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization whose mission statement is Fighting Alzheimer’s Disease Through the Arts.
For years Donna and her husband Pat toured Minnesota and performed live for seniors and veterans. Their Foundation also produced musical events to raise funds that provided entertainment, activities, and other needs to these communities. Then COVID hit.
They saw the vision and created the Spiritwood Senior Living Network, a unique subscription service for senior residences, in-home care, Veterans Homes, and special needs communities. And a valuable asset for Activities Professionals needing to enhance the quality of life for seniors in their care.
SLN is a Roku App that offers abundant and diverse entertainment and activity choices all in one place. Think Netflix for Seniors and just as affordable. At a very low price there is so much interactive variety and the wow factor!
Through the magic of green screen technology, live performances set against dynamic backgrounds will captivate and transport seniors to beloved times and places and activities led with humor and enthusiasm will delight them.
SLN’s abundant and diverse collection of channels include:
- Musical Entertainment
- Worship
- Variety
- Therapeutic Music
- From The Request Line Sing Along
- Interactive Seated Exercise and Dance
- Karaoke
- Stories In Song,
- Travel
- Performance
- Sign Language
- And more!
A single App opens a world of stimulating viewing and activity options.
A free Roku Streaming Device comes with every subscription.
Visit the website to watch a preview video and learn more: https://spiritwoodseniorlivingnetwork.com/
View a short message from Donna about the service here: https://vimeo.com/843625168?share=copy
L’BRI Pure and Natural
My website is www.lbri.com/nancyschwartz
Email: Nancy Schwartz at [email protected]
Cell: 612-703-1864
We don’t just put Aloe First; we put PEOPLE FIRST.
For this reason, we formulate using the purest, most potent
botanicals using a cold stabilization process that harnesses
nature’s power and science’s breakthroughs
Phantom Granny
Fun and functional children’s items – bibs, robes, aprons, wraps. Unique, high quality, reasonably priced and hand made in Minnesota!
Visit Phantom Granny on Facebook.
Contact Tish Peterson at [email protected]
Cheryl Peterson, Wish of a Lifetime from AARP,
[email protected]
O: 615.726.5130
C: 612.325.8730
www.wishofalifetime.org
Wish of a Lifetime from AARP grants experiential wishes to adults 65 and older. Granting a wish is a simple gesture, but the effect is extraordinary. Over 90% of survey respondents reported improvement in their purpose and quality of life and that the wish increased their involvement in the world. Become a champion for change. Nominate someone you know at https://wishofalifetime.org/submit-a-wish/
Dan Hudak / Hudak On Hollywood, Inc.
305-342-8445
[email protected]
www.hudakonhollywood.com
Hudak On Hollywood, Inc., provides live lectures to country clubs, retirement communities, and other venues throughout the United States. Topics include film, Broadway, music, radio & TV, Jewish history, American history and more. Lectures are engaging, educational and entertaining, and available in person as we come to your community or via Zoom with a live feed. Most lectures are one hour and audiovisual. Themed events, such as “Oscar night” and the “Top Ten Romantic Comedies In Film History” around Valentine’s Day, have also been popular. Reach out to owner Dan Hudak at [email protected] today to learn more about our programs!
- Who We Are: We are professionals and educators who are passionate about our areas of expertise. We are experienced speakers who know how to entertain, engage and inform an audience, so you can rest assured attendees will love our lectures.
- Where We Are: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York/New Jersey, and more. We are expanding quickly, and are eager to entertain as many seniors as possible. Please let us know if you don’t see your location — we are happy to travel and also lecture via Zoom.
