The Discovery Program — Where Every Young Person Belongs

The Discovery Program is more than an after-school program — it’s a community where school-age youth and teens with developmental disabilities in the Randolph County area are celebrated for who they are and supported in becoming who they want to be.

What Is the Discovery Program?

The Discovery Program is a structured, supportive enrichment program for school-age youth and teens with developmental disabilities in the Randolph County area. We provide a safe space where participants engage in hands-on activities, community outings, social skill-building, creative projects, and daily enrichment designed to foster growth, independence, and genuine connection.

Whether it’s an afternoon of art projects, a community field trip, team games, or a quiet moment of one-on-one support, every day in the Discovery Program is designed to help participants build confidence, develop life skills, form friendships, and experience the joy of being part of a community that celebrates them.

Staff member and young participant reaching for each other's hands on adaptive swings at a Moberly park

Program Schedule

Our program runs Monday through Friday throughout the year:

During the School Year

2:30 PM – 5:30 PM

After-school enrichment that keeps participants engaged, supported, and connected after the bell rings. Activities focus on social skill-building, creative projects, peer interaction, and daily enrichment.

During the Summer

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Full-day programming that maintains structure, routine, and enrichment during the months when school is out. Summer activities include field trips, arts and crafts, games, social outings, and community-based learning experiences.

What Participants Experience

Every day at the Discovery Program looks a little different — and that’s by design. Our staff create dynamic, responsive programming that meets each participant where they are.

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Community outings and field trips throughout Moberly and surrounding areas

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Arts, crafts, and creative expression projects that build fine motor skills and self-expression

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Social skill-building exercises and peer interaction in a supportive environment

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Games, team activities, and physical movement for healthy engagement

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Life skills development including cooking, daily routines, and independence building

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Structured routines that provide stability, comfort, and a sense of belonging

Our low staff-to-participant ratio ensures every young person receives the individual attention and support they need to thrive.

Group of Discovery Program participants playing giant Jenga together, building teamwork and social skills Discovery Program participants and staff baking together in the program kitchen, learning life skills
Staff member comforting a participant on a couch, demonstrating the caring supportive environment of the Discovery Program

Who We Serve

The Discovery Program serves school-age youth and teens with developmental disabilities living in the Randolph County area, including Moberly, Missouri and surrounding communities. Our program is designed for young people who benefit from structured enrichment, social connection, and skill-building experiences in a supportive, inclusive environment.

If you’re a parent, guardian, school counselor, or case manager looking for a program that will meet your child or student where they are and help them grow — we’d love to hear from you.

Contact Us: 660.833.4076

What Families Are Saying

The Discovery Program has been such a great place for the growth and inclusion of my daughter. Having a place like that where people love your child like you do, is a feeling like no other.

— Parent of Discovery Program Participant

The Discovery Program has been nothing short of amazing for our son; the staff go above and beyond to meet his needs, keep him engaged, and he always comes home happy! We are so blessed to have this opportunity in our small, rural community!

— Parent of Discovery Program Participant

I truly cannot say enough amazing things about the Discovery Program. From the incredibly accommodating staff to the fun and meaningful outings my kids get to experience, this program has been a complete game changer for our family. During the summer months, my youngest son often experiences heightened behaviors and increased elopement due to the lack of structure and consistency when school is not in session. Since joining the summer program over the past couple of years, we have seen a significant positive impact on his overall behavior. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful resource in our community, and we cannot wait to see what excitement the future holds!

— Parent of Discovery Program Participant

Frequently Asked Questions

The Discovery Program serves school-age youth and teens with developmental disabilities in the Randolph County area.

During the school year, the program runs Monday through Friday from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. During the summer, we offer full-day programming from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Contact our program coordinators, Lou Ann Orton or Maddy Blackwell, at 660.833.4076 or visit us at 1020 W. Hwy 24, Moberly, MO 65270. We’d love to learn about your child and discuss how the Discovery Program can be a great fit.

Activities include hands-on enrichment projects, community outings and field trips, arts and crafts, social skill-building exercises, games, and creative learning experiences — all designed to build confidence and foster independence.

Yes! During the summer months, we offer extended full-day programming from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Contact us to learn about availability during other school breaks.

The Discovery Program primarily serves families in the Randolph County area, including Moberly, Missouri and surrounding communities.

The Discovery Program is not daycare. It is a structured enrichment program specifically designed for youth with developmental disabilities. Every activity is intentionally planned to build social skills, confidence, independence, and meaningful peer connections — with trained staff who understand each participant’s unique needs.