PALS Blog

PALS Programs provides a place for young adults with Down syndrome and their peers to have fun, grow as indiviudals, and build transformative friendships. Learn more at palsprograms.org.

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Leadership Blog Series: Kelly Kitchen

1. What made you want to become a leader in the PALS community?

I wanted to get involved with PALS leadership because I have had some wonderful head Counselors and Directors in the past who made it look like so much fun. After speaking to them about how rewarding it is to watch Camp come to life and facilitate a welcoming place for people to grow these lifelong friendships, I knew I had to be involved. 

2. How have you grown as a person through your PALS leadership experience?

Working as a Director with PALS is by far the most rewarding and challenging experience of my life. You have to get out of your comfort zone and reach out to people to create lasting partnerships. It is always a bit awkward, but knowing what the end goal is, it pushes you to grow those relationships. Another way I feel PALS has helped me grow is learning how to be a better advocate for those in the Down syndrome community. This extends far beyond our week at Camp! 

3. What legacy do you want to leave with PALS as a leader?

My personal goal was to bring PALS to Richmond. We did that and had a wonderful week! I think that will be a part of my PALS history, but outside of the location, I want everyone to come to Camp and have a fun-filled week where they try something new and get outside of their comfort zones. I believe that is the best way to grow meaningful relationships.

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Meet Sarah, Our New Social Media Intern!

We are excited to introduce Sarah Henry as our newest member of the PALS family. Sarah will be joining as our Social Media Intern, working with Emesha and Michelle to cultivate our community on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and our blog. She is looking forward to engaging with you on our social media platforms and producing interesting content to keep the PALS magic alive all year long!

Feel free to introduce yourself or congratulate her at [email protected]. Or comment or DM her on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Hi PALS Family,

My name is Sarah, and I am delighted to be the Social Media Intern for PALS Programs! 

I am a recent graduate of West Chester University with a degree in Psychology, though my true passion is videography. This May I married my best friend, Joe, and we are settling down in the Philadelphia area. 

I fell in love with PALS this summer at the Chicago and Philadelphia 1 Camps, where I volunteered as videographer. The opportunity to blend videography and media with my newfound enthusiasm for PALS was life changing. For me, the magic happened when I was filming the first Camper at arrival in Chicago. Being able to capture that joy as the Campers ran through the tunnel was enchanting, and I raced to my room to edit as soon as I could. 

Because of PALS, I grew personally and professionally, and I know PALS will continue to help me grow as the Social Media Intern. I am so grateful for the opportunity to interact with everyone through our social media platforms and produce exciting, new content for you to enjoy. Feel free to comment or message me any ideas you would like to see!

PALS love,

Sarah Henry

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Leadership Blog Series: Sarah Miller

1. What made you want to become a leader in the PALS community? 

Hi PALS people! I had the privilege of directing PALS New York City this summer. I cannot even begin to describe the experience and what it has taught me. I have been involved in PALS for 4 consecutive summers and during that time have worked up the leadership track. I wanted to become a leader in the PALS community to help create the Camps that have changed the lives of so many, promoted acceptance and inclusion, and made the world a better place. I will always aspire to learn and grow as a leader and continue creating programs that have such a positive impact on the world we live in.

2. How have you grown as a person through your PALS leadership experience?

I have grown tremendously through my PALS leadership experience. I have learned immensely about myself, how to be an estimable leader, and how to be a stronger advocate. Being a leader has taught me to celebrate all successes; big and small, and to not sweat the things you cannot change. 

3. What legacy do you want to leave with PALS as a leader?

As a PALS leader, I hope to leave the legacy of a hardworking and patient role model. At the end of the day, all you can do is try your best, and make the most of everything with contagious energy. 

All the PALS Love,

Sarah Miller  

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Leadership Blog Series: Melia Rao

1. What made you want to become a leader in the PALS community?

Because of my love for the Camp! I wanted to contribute more to an organization that I love and that has given me a new perspective by becoming an Ambassador.

2. How have you grown as a person through your PALS leadership experience?

I have learned more about the organization and how it is run. My love for the community has grown. This community has influenced me and showed me what I want to do in my future career.

3. What legacy do you want to leave with PALS as a leader?

I want people to know that PALS is an amazing organization that is unlike any other. They not only care about the Campers, but the families and volunteers involved in the organization.

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Leadership Blog Series: Morgan Heckel

1. What made you want to become a leader in the PALS community? 

Six years ago, I joined the PALS family after watching my best friend Maggie fall in love with the organization. After a couple of seasons watching amazing leaders and friends organize and develop successful Camps, I knew directing was a dream of mine. Directors are the ones who use their imagination and creativity to create the PALS Magic - what an amazing opportunity!? The dream came true three summers ago, and now I am one of the volunteers who helps build a place where EVERYONE is able to be themselves. Both Campers and Volunteers call our time at Camp the "best week of the summer", and it is an honor to be a small part in that!

2. How have you grown as a person through your PALS leadership experience?

I met Maggie in kindergarten, so I have always seen a world of acceptance. But, over the years with PALS I have personally grown to become an even stronger advocate for people with Down syndrome. The PALS family has supported my development to become an effective, lifelong agent of inclusion.  

3. What legacy do you want to leave with PALS as a leader? 

I hope that my energy and passion radiate through others, so more people are able to see that we are all more alike than different.

Always PALS Love,

Morgan 

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Meet Michelle, Our New Development Director!

PALS is proud to introduce the newest member of our staff, Michelle Peacock. Michelle is joining the team as our new Development Director. Michelle will work closely with Jenni to expand our PALS community of supporters. She will ensure that PALS continues to raise the necessary funds to expand and grow the overall impact of the PALS organization. We are so excited to have Michelle join us!

Please feel free to introduce yourself or congratulate her at [email protected].

Hello PALS Family!

I’m thrilled to join the PALS team as its new Development Director! I look forward to meeting all of you, and growing our family of supporters so that we may continue to increase PALS impact in the Down syndrome community.

I am a native Texan, although I moved around and lived in several different states as a child. I graduated from Mississippi State University with a business degree in Marketing, and settled back in Texas (Dallas and Austin) as an adult. I'm married with two boys (turning 12 & 13 this summer) and two step kids (almost 19 & 21.)

Over the past twenty years, I have been fundraising and managing nonprofits dedicated to improving the lives of others. From smaller local nonprofits where I was the only employee to large national organizations like Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and American Diabetes Association, I've taken away the best knowledge from each experience, and I look forward to sharing my insight to benefit PALS.

My favorite thing about working on behalf of nonprofits (besides the joy of helping others) is being able to connect people with the mission of the organization. I'm excited to meet and educate as many new people as possible about the value of the work PALS is doing. Please feel free to introduce me to anyone you think would be a great addition to our PALS family. I'd love to meet with them and chat about ways they could get involved.  

Personally, PALS is a perfect fit for my adventurous spirit. As a summer camp counselor in college, and a volunteer counselor for several years at a camp for kids with cancer, I understand the value of the camp experience. It not only benefits the campers, but also impacts the volunteers. I'm so happy to be part of the PALS family.

My bio would not be complete without sharing my biggest adventure to-date: Two years ago my family and I sold our house, cars, and most of our belongings to move onto a catamaran sailboat and travel. We are currently in the Bahamas and plan to spend hurricane season in North Carolina. We absolutely love our life on the water, and enjoy exploring new places. You can usually find us swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, or hiking.

I'm stopping by three Camp PALS locations next week and more camps in July/August. I hope I have a chance to meet you this summer! I'd love to hear your stories so that I can share your PALS experience with others. Thank you for welcoming me to the family!

PALS Love,

Michelle Peacock

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Sibling Spotlight Series: Gianna and Chris Rahill

What do you want the world to know about your sibling?

Gianna: Chris makes me smile - he says Happy Birthday to me and gives me presents. He buys me fashion dresses, makes me laugh, he makes jokes. He asks me, “How was your day?”. He has a beautiful face. 

Chris: The most important thing I want the world to know about Gianna is how she is more alike than different in so many ways. I think people sometimes look at individuals with Down syndrome, and they assume that they can't do things that typical kids can do. We see it the exact opposite way. Gianna can do just about anything she puts her mind to, and we are so proud of her for that. She excels in school, plays for the CYO basketball team, takes dance class, participates in the school play, and so much more. We want the world to treat her just the same as they would treat anyone else, because that's the way she lives her life and wants to be treated.

How has your sibling surprised you?

Gianna: Chris yells, “Surprise!” and he makes me a cake.

Chris: She is so, so smart. She really surprises me sometimes with the things that she knows and remembers. She will ask me about things that happened months or years ago, and it blows my mind sometimes that she can remember things in that much detail. It just makes me realize how intently she listens and pays attention during our conversations. I love having those little talks with Gianna, it makes me happy that we can connect like that.

What do you love most about your brother/sister?

Gianna: He loves me, he makes me happy, that’s it. He does stuff for me, like cleaning my room and helping me with my homework. Cut - this interview is over.

Chris: Wow, this is a tough one because there are so many things that I love about G. I think what I love most is how loving and caring she is. She always greets me with a smile and a big hug when I get home, and she always asks about my day. She notices when someone is sad or having a rough day, and she always wants to make them feel better. She genuinely cares about other people. She is like a mini-Mom in our family.

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Director Blog Series: Camp PALS San Francisco

Meet Your Camp PALS San Francisco Directors!

We are so excited to head to warm and sunny California in August. We hope you are all ready for the best “San Fran Take-Over” yet!

PALS Love, 

Meaghan and Ryan

Camp PALS San Francisco Director Team

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Adventure Recap: Lake Walcamp

Dear PALS Family & Friends,

We are sad to see the weekend go, but summer is right around the corner and we will all see each other very soon! We would like to tell you all about our amazing weekend at Walcamp in Illinois.

On Friday, we kicked off the weekend by enjoying pizza and getting to know new and old PALS while prepping our voices for karaoke. The night ended with amazing performances at an outdoor amphitheatre!

Saturday, was a day full of fun in the sun. We started off by going to Volcano Falls where we showed off our mini golf skills on the course. After we claimed a champion, we headed into the arcade and left with many fabulous prizes. Once we got back to Walcamp, Campers and Counselors geared up to explore the lake while canoeing and swimming! The night ended with a bang at our luau-themed dance. At the luau everyone was able to drink a refreshing mocktail out of pineapple cups, take polaroid pictures and enjoy a s’more or two once the sun set.

Sunday, began with a competitive round of olympic games. Our blue team and red team faced off with various water and team building games. Safe to say, it was a tie! We had a blast cooling off with water balloons and popsicles after olympics. To end our fun-filled weekend, we shared a BBQ cookout with family and friends. As we said our goodbyes, each Camper received an award and a few kind words from their Counselor.

We cannot thank everyone enough for making this weekend possible! We are so lucky to have had such amazing Volunteers, Campers and families join us at our Walcamp Adventure. Hope to see you all again soon!

PALS Love,

Bre & Nick   

Lake Walcamp Adventure Leaders

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Director Blog Series: Camp PALS Baltimore

Lisa’s Bio

Hi PALS friends & families! 

My name is Lisa Lapina and I am so excited for PALS Baltimore 2018! This will be my 8th summer with PALS and my 3rd summer directing a program. Prior to directing, I participated as a Counselor and Head Counselor at Camp PALS Georgetown and Camp PALS Philadelphia. For the past two summers, I directed Camp PALS Cleveland. Ryan and I could not be more excited to open a BRAND NEW location for PALS in Maryland.  

Here’s some information about me! I was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, PA. I graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2011 and I went directly into graduate school at UPenn. I earned my Master’s degree in Reading/Writing/Literacy in 2013 and moved to Baltimore, Maryland shortly after graduation to pursue a teaching job in Anne Arundel County. This is my 5th year teaching first grade at Crofton Woods Elementary. For the past 4 years, my students have been supporting PALS by creating our dorm decorations. It’s exciting to see them engaged in the PALS community at such a young age. I can't wait for another unforgettable summer with PALS Programs and I look forward to sharing the very best of Baltimore with you!

Ryan's Bio

Hi PALS friends & families! 

My name is Ryan Neher and I am so excited for PALS Baltimore 2018! This will be my 4th summer with PALS and my 1st summer directing a program. I was born and raised in Richboro, PA. I am a senior at Bloomsburg University where I study digital forensics. Prior to directing, I participated as a Counselor, Head Counselor and CPS at Camp PALS Philadelphia, San Francisco and Maine. Last school year, I was also part of the PALS Ambassador Program. The Ambassador Program provides an opportunity for PALS advocates to promote, fundraise, and recruit for PALS Programs in their schools, on their campuses, and in their communities. 

I am beyond ecstatic to be able to plan a Camp this year! Lisa and I have so many exciting things in store for our campers and counselors! I can't wait for another amazing summer with PALS and I look forward to seeing what Baltimore has in store for us!

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Director Blog Series: Camp PALS Philadelphia Session 2 - The Julian & Tina Krinsky Program

Hello family, friends, and PALS supporters, 

Tori: My name is Tori Cedar and I've been honored to be a part of PALS Programs since 2015. This will be my second summer directing but the first summer being a Logistics Director for Philly 2. I couldn't be more thrilled to take on this new adventure with Evan!

I'm a senior at Syracuse University. I study Psychology and Communication Sciences and Disorders (Speech Language Track) with a concentration in Disability Studies. Here at Cuse, I work for a program called InclusiveU where I make sure students with disabilities have the same college experience as any other college student. I organize different events on campus and in the community. I also am the middle person in connecting InclusiveU students with organizations/clubs on campus that they chose to be a part of. I truly get to keep the PALS magic all year long. I love to run and hike and I'm a huge fan of the New York Rangers (yes having a Flyer's fan Co-Director has been a struggle).

I am currently in the grad school interview process as we speak and (HOPEFULLY) will be getting my Doctorate in School Psychology post graduation!

Evan and I could not be more excited for this summer. It's going to be the best yet!

Evan: I am Evan Herrington! I have been volunteering for PALS for six amazing summers. This will be my second time directing at Philly 2 and I am already excited for what this summer has in store!  

I am a first year Kindergarten teacher in a town a few miles from Point Pleasant, NJ where I was born and raised. A lot of my free time is spent fishing, watching the Flyers, and hanging with friends and family. I work with students who have cognitive impairment. I love working, teaching, and supporting kids and young adults year-round. My involvement in PALS as well as my career path have largely been shaped by my older brother Ryan, a Camper with PALS. He showed me how significant an impact PALS has on the Down syndrome community and I have been involved ever since. I am so excited to share another PALS summer with the Philly 2 crew!

All our PALS love, 

Tori and Evan

Camp PALS Philadelphia 2 Director Team

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Counting Down To Our Lake Walcamp Adventure

Dear PALS Family,

We are officially 4 days away from our Walcamp Adventure in Kingston, IL! Can you believe it? We cannot wait to share the weekend with our Campers and Counselors. We’ll start our weekend off with a pizza party and get to know our new friends. We will end our Friday night with karaoke in an amazing outdoor amphitheater. Get your singing voices ready!

Saturday will be a jam-packed day full of outdoor activities! First, we are heading to Volcano Falls for arcade games and a round of mini golf. Once we have claimed a mini golf champion, we will head back to Walcamp to canoe around the campsite. We will cap the night off with an outdoor luau-themed dance, so, bring your hula skirts and shirts to show off your moves! Sweets and s’mores will make for a perfect ending to our night of dancing and fun with all of our PALS.

On Sunday morning, we will get decked out in our team colors and compete in the PALS Olympics! Prepare yourself for some serious fun while we race to the finish. We plan to close out our weekend Adventure with a BBQ cookout surrounded by family and friends!

Don’t forget to follow PALS on social media to catch all the Lake Walcamp Adventure excitement.

We cannot wait to see everyone!

PALS Love.

Brianna & Nick

Lake Walcamp Adventure Leaders

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Director Blog Series: PALS Maine in Memory of Myrna

Maddie: Hellooo PALS Fam! My name is Maddie Watson, and I am the Personnel Director for Camp PALS Maine 2018! This will be my 6th summer with PALS, but my first year as a Director and I couldn't be more excited for this amazing week. Here’s a little bit about me: I currently work as a behavior specialist at a Kennedy Krieger school in Baltimore, MD working with a wide range of kiddos. When I'm not planning this spectacular week or at work, I love to spend time with my dog (aka my soulmate), eat tacos, and explore new places. I am really looking forward to all of the water activities that we have planned, and of course eating some lobster. I can't wait to see all of your beautiful shining faces in Maine! 

Kevin: Calling all Maine-iacs! This is going to be my 6th summer with PALS and I couldn’t be more excited to head back to Portland! I work as a finance analyst at a government contractor in Washington DC so, needless to say, I am really looking forward to spending our week in Maine outdoors and on the water. I also have a sister with Down syndrome who will be attending Camp with us this summer (Hi Megan!). I know I speak for the whole Maine team when I say we can’t wait to get this summer started!

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Adventure Recap: Lake Nockamixon

Dear PALS Family,

We were very sad to see our Lake Nockamixon Adventure come to an end this past weekend. We had a weekend to remember at Lake Nockamixon with an amazing group of 55 Campers and Counselors! As first-time Adventure Leaders, this was a weekend we will never forget. We wanted to say thank you to all of our gracious Counselors, Campers, medical staff, media staff, and CPS Volunteers.

On Friday, we had a pizza party and got to know each other around the bonfire. We capped off the evening by roasting s’mores and singing our hearts out during karaoke. We spent Saturday morning exploring Lake Nockamixon. Everyone was able to get out on the water, whether that was in a kayak, peddle boat, or a rowboat. From there, we headed to a local church to play a variety of life-size games and create a beautiful craft for Mother’s Day! To end the night, we enjoyed an Italian dinner and danced the night away. We were even lucky enough to hear a new original song by one of our wonderful Campers.

Sunday was yet another perfect day as we bowled quite a few strikes at the local bowling alley. We closed out our Adventure with a Mother’s Day lunch. We wanted to thank all of the wonderful volunteers for making this Adventure truly amazing. We were so happy to see our PALS family grow and create many memories along the way.

Much PALS Love,

Jordan and Jackie

Lake Nockamixon Adventure Leaders

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Director Blog Series: Camp PALS Georgetown

Hey PALS family! 

My name is Kelsey Siegel, and I’ll be the Logistics Director for Camp PALS Georgetown 2018. I’ve been with PALS since 2008, when we only had ONE camp, so it is incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to direct one of FOURTEEN camps this summer! I’ve loved being able to watch PALS grow, and I’ve gained so much from my time with everybody I’ve met at PALS. Outside of directing, I am the founder of a small non-profit horse rescue in Poolesville, MD that places a focus on retraining rescue horses for riding and competition. I also dabble on the guitar, and am proficient in dancing in front of the mirror (both skills that just might be displayed at Camp). I can’t wait for July to get here- we are going to have an absolute BLAST! Gear up for the best week of the summer!

Hi, PALS fam!

I'm David Rawlins and I am the Personnel Director for Georgetown! This will be my 4th year with PALS. Though this will be my 2nd year serving as a Director, it will be my 1st as a Georgetown Director, which I'm ecstatic about having grown up just outside of D.C. in northern Virginia. I was introduced to PALS through a Camper that I worked with in a student organization in college. I've continued my involvement with PALS in hopes to give people the same experience that that has changed my view on inclusion and how the Down syndrome community is viewed in the scope of the world. This year, I'm thrilled to be working with Kelsey, who brings so much charisma and energy to our team. I'm looking forward to catching up with returning Campers and Counselors, as well as meeting all new faces and welcoming them to PALS. This summer's Camp is going to be a blast!

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Counting Down To Our Lake Nockamixon Adventure

Hello PALS Family!

We are officially a few days away from one of the best weekends of the year! 26 wonderful pairs will be joining us at the scenic Lake Nockamixon State Park where we will be cooking up some s’mores and enjoying each other's company by the fire. Prepare your singing voice and bring your dancing shoes for Karaoke and an outdoor dance!

We are so excited to start off our Saturday with lifesize games, which will feature; Jenga, twister, water gun races and many more! This incredible day will continue with a BBQ cookout. We will top it all off with an evening around the bonfire making s’mores and dancing the night away.

We plan to wrap up the Adventure on Sunday with a craft and a special Mother’s Day lunch! Follow PALS to stay updated on all of the activities taking place throughout the weekend. We have been working hard to make this Outdoor Adventure a memorable experience. We will be counting down the days and cannot wait to see everyone this weekend!

PALS Love,

Jordan and Jackie

Lake Nockamixon Adventure Leaders

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Director Blog Series: Camp PALS Poconos

Welcome to Camp PALS Poconos 2018!

Maggie: Hellooo PALS Family! My name is Maggie Lesmes, and I’m the Personnel Director for Camp PALS Poconos 2018. This will be my fifth summer with PALS and my fourth summer at Poconos, and I can’t wait to be back with my favorite people for another week in the Electric City! When I’m not communicating with all of our amazing Camper families and Volunteers, I’m studying Global Public Health at the University of Virginia (Go Hoos!). In my free time, I enjoy playing with my puppy, baking cakes, watching The Bachelor, and exercising. Chris and I have been working hard to plan the perfect week, and we’re so excited to experience all the PALS magic with you in July!

Chris: What’s up, guys! My name is Chris Rahill, and I’m the Logistics Director for Poconos this summer. I’m 23 years old, and I currently live in Chalfont, Pennsylvania with my family. I’ve been volunteering with PALS for six years, and this will be my fourth summer at Poconos. I enjoy playing sports, going to the beach, and listening to classic rock music. A fun fact about me is that I’ve been to 49 out of the 50 U.S. states! Maggie and I can’t wait for another great summer in Scranton!

We’re counting down the days until Camp PALS Poconos 2018!