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Spring Institute for Youth Services 2025 Special Events

Wednesday Night Arrivals Reception at Frankenmuth James E. Wickson District Library

Wednesday, April 9 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Off-site Event
359 S Franklin St
Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Attendees arriving in Frankenmuth on Wednesday evening are invited to join MLA at the Frankenmuth James E Wickson Public Library from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Music, crafts, networking, and snacks will be provided from a variety of local Frankenmuth shops.

A trolley shuttle will pick up attendees at the Convention Center entrance of the Bavarian Inn and transport guests to the library and back throughout the event. You can also drive yourself or choose to walk the 1-mile route to the library.

Thank you to library staff for their support on this event!

Thursday Lunch Lightning TitleTalks with CATS

Thursday, April 10 12:15 – 1:00 PM
Composer Room

Discover what's hot off the press and what trends to look out for in summer/fall 2025 as Baker and Taylor booktalks the latest and greatest titles for kids and teens from lots of different publishers. What are the upcoming season's buzziest titles?

Celebration at the Lodge

Thursday, April 10 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Bavarian Inn Lodge Family Fun Center

All Spring Institute attendees will all get a drink ticket to the Ratskeller Bar and their choice of a $10 arcade card or a free game of miniature golf in the Bavarian Inn Family Fun Center. Find some new or old friends and have some fun on Thursday evening!

The Family Fun Center is open until 11:00 PM. MLA staff will be on-hand between 5:30 and 7:30 PM. All overnight guests will also receive passes to the brand-new Bavarian Blast Waterpark, open until 8:00 PM. Pack a bathing suit and have fun on the waterslides, not-so-lazy river, or take advantage of the adults only swim-up bar.

MLA Literary Awards Announcement

Friday, April 11 12:45 – 1:00 PM
Composer Room

Hear from the YouPer, Mitten, and Thumbs Up workgroups about the new stories being celebrated by MLA in 2025!

Trivia Lunch

Friday, April 11 1:00 – 1:45 PM
Composer Room

Friday’s lunch will feature some friendly competition with a table versus table interactive trivia challenge with Matt Eickhoff of Here's Your Host Trivia.

SI Gives Back

This year the MLA Spring Institute Workgroup has decided to partner with two Michigan organizations that help support kids: Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Kids Food Basket,

Sleep in Heavenly Peace believes that a bed is a basic need for the proper physical, emotional, and mental support that a child needs. They’re a national organization made of local chapters answering the call to a national problem. Your donations go directly to building beds and to helping a kid in need get off the floor. A portion of all book sales made onsite will be donated to SHP.

Please consider bringing a donation of twin sized pillowcases, bedding, pillows, or a cash donation to support kids in the Frankenmuth region.

Kids Food Basket provides nutrition to more than 38,000 kids in West Michigan. During Thursday’s lunch we will have lunch bags and coloring supplies available so the food provided can come in fun and attractive packaging that helps take the stigma out of the supper sacks.

T-Shirt Fundraiser

Show your SI pride by buying an event T-shirt at registration. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the MLA Educational Scholarship Fund. Shirts will be available for pick-up at the registration desk. The last day to order shirts is March 7, 2025.

If you have already registered for the conference and would like to purchase a t-shirt or you need a separate invoice, please contact us at [email protected] or (517) 394-2774.