In late March, all of our incredible Program Leads came together in Baltimore, Maryland, for our annual Leadership Summit - a weekend full of connection, inspiration, and bold ideas. This weekend was an opportunity for Program Leads to collaborate, dream big, and reignite the PALS magic that fuels each of our summer programs.

Over three packed days, our Program Leads - who are the visionaries behind our programs - immersed themselves in workshops designed to empower, challenge, and inspire. From schedule planning to discussions about finding Value-In-Kind, each session offered an opportunity for Program Leads to collaborate with other Program Leads, new and returning, as well as PALS staff.

This year’s summit was built around four key goals: equipping Leads with practical tools for program planning and execution, fostering personal and professional growth, celebrating and reinforcing our core values, and ensuring every Lead left feeling confident navigating the logistics of planning camp.

Highlights from the weekend included:

A powerful discussion with Dr. Alexandria White on recognizing and addressing the “Hero Complex”
An on-campus programming design competition that encouraged teams to think creatively
Reflections from each Program Lead of their “Why PALS”
A night of duckpin bowling in funky shirts - because great leaders know how to have fun, too
Inspiring video messages from self-advocates, giving Program Leads words of wisdom

One Lead shared:

“The leadership summit allowed me to reflect on why I am a Program Lead at PALS. It reignited the PALS magic for me and made me excited to begin planning for this summer. Being in a room full of people who share such similar values allowed me to learn, grow, and reflect in a safe environment. Getting to see my fellow program leads in person allowed me to build connections that will help me successfully plan and lead camp this summer.”

This weekend was made possible thanks to the generosity of one of our dedicated donors. We’re grateful for their support in helping us build stronger, more inclusive programs - and can’t wait to see what our Leads bring to Summer 2025!