Penny, can you explain Camp PALS to people who don’t know anything about it? Who is it for?
Yes. Camp PALS is for young adults with Down Syndrome where they can make many new friends and create lifelong memories with them.
What does a typical day look like at PALS?
A typical day at Pals is the following:
Breakfast
Head off with your team to the first fun activity of the day
Lunch
More fun activities
Chill Time
Dinner
One more activity
Meeting and Reflection with team
What do you love about PALS?
I love the following:
Making new friends
Connecting with old friends
Creating lifelong memories
Do you think there would be any way for schools to learn from PALS?
Yes. They could learn the following:
Making connections
Including others
Realize what Is challenging for some people
Being more of an advocate
What was your favorite activity this year?
My top 3 favorite activities were:
Dorney Park
Dave and Busters
Karaoke
Can you tell me about the Congratulations project?
Yes. Every year with Pals summer and Holiday programs each peer and partner will get a chance to write a letter to an expecting mother and the child she delivers will have Down syndrome. To write about your life and simply encourage the mother to be positive about the outcome.
What would you say to someone who was considering being a volunteer or a camper at PALS?
If you want to become a volunteer at Pals, you need to be ready to hype your team up and stay close together.
If you want to be a camper at Pals, bring your positive energy and team spirit.
MORE WITH AMY JULIA:
- Penny in Her Own Words
- Penny in Her Own Words: Senior Prom
- Penny in Her Own Words: What I Want You to Know About My Life
- Penny in Her Own Words: Senior Trip
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