The off-season programming at PALS has been part of our work since 2014. Over the past 10 years, we have run Adventures all across the country.
In June of 2016, I stepped onto Cabrini University’s campus, flooded with nervous excitement, for my first week of camp at PALS Philadelphia. Little did I know that I was about to experience the greatest dance parties, participate in an unforgettable karaoke night, build life-long friendships, and change the course of my life.
At PALS Programs, our mission has always been to create inclusive camp experiences for young adults with Down syndrome and their peers. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to connect, grow, and have fun in an environment where differences are celebrated. This summer, we are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Brother Rice High School.
PALS is fortunate to have a Board of Directors that provides guidance and support for our operations and bolsters our mission of inclusion. We are excited to introduce three new members who joined the board in the past year.
PALS is thrilled to announce we have been accepted to be a certified organization for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. In the realm of non-profit organizations dedicated to making a positive impact, PALS Programs is eager to kick-off Summer 2024 and celebrate 20 years of impact and stories.
As we look forward to Summer 2022, we are excited to bring back the PALS model - week-long programs at our host universities with on-campus activities and trips in the local area. Explore what a day at PALS looks like as Lauren describes her week at Philadelphia in 2019. We can’t wait to see you in 2022!
This past month the PALS staff spent time learning about and discussing cultural appropriation and appreciation. While always relevant, this was a particularly good topic to discuss in advance of Halloween and all the diverse holidays coming up as a way to be more intentional and aware of our biases and perspectives.
While the federal calendar marks the second Monday in October as Christopher Columbus Day, many calendars, possibly even your own, recognize it as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a time to recognize and honor the diverse histories and cultures of the peoples on whose land we are living.
In preparation for summer 2022, PALS staff are working hard towards accreditation for all of our programs with the American Camp Association (ACA). The ACA is ”a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs.”
