BY SHELBY JONES
PALS Operations Manager
As we are gearing up to celebrate the 20th anniversary of PALS, we are excited for the slate of programs to take place in 2024! Check out the dates & locations on our summer page!
How did you select the locations for this season?
We have had the opportunity to host PALS programs in cities all over the country and share our mission of inclusion. This summer, we selected some of our key cities with strong and long-standing partnerships as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. While we will not be returning to all of the locations from last summer, we look forward to returning to those cities in the future.
In honor of our 20th anniversary, we plan to host a series of events during programs to celebrate this milestone with our community throughout the summer.
What if I don’t live in one of the cities where programs are taking place?
That’s okay! We encourage folks to attend the program that is closest to where they reside. For those who are unable to attend a program this summer, we encourage you to get involved with the PALS Network! The PALS Network is a dedicated space designed to connect, recruit, and combine resources that champion the growth of our PALS community. Click here to learn more about the PALS Network.
What are the age ranges for programs?
We are excited to serve all age ranges at programs this summer! You will notice that the majority of programs will serve participants 12 - 17 and 18+, with intentional levels of support offered for each age group. The 21+ programs are modified from the traditional model for participants with greater independence; each program is only 5 days, which makes it easier for people with jobs to participate, and it follows a much more relaxed schedule.
Will Partner tuition be increasing this year?
The cost of programs will be the same as they were in 2023. All registrations will have a $50 processing fee to account for additional charges from our enrollment system. You will see $2,250 as the total for all full-week invoices and $1,850 for all modified-week invoices.
We recognize that our community achieves its mission of inclusion and belonging only when we are able to engage with as many unique participants as possible. With this in mind, we are committed to ensuring that cost is never a barrier to joining the PALS community. There are several ways to cover the cost of the program for a participant with Down syndrome, and we work with every family to discuss these options.
We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with all of you. Don’t forget to apply on January 1st! If you have any questions, please contact us at support@palsprograms.org.