#camp pals

[c0pyofa]

not to be vomit on main but i got my dream fucking job at my favorite place on earth and i cannot stop shaking

[c0pyofa]

hammocking in the woods listening to demos II and sufjan yes im thriving thank u

[c0pyofa]

hehehe got to nominate my friend for his gold tonight and he got it :’) this week was buck wild but really really good so!!!! plus i get to see meredith!!!!!!!!!!!

[c0pyofa]

i always forget how much i miss the real world right up to the exact second i step foot off the camp bus at the last stop

[c0pyofa]

i’ve been following someone i work with at camp for like 4 months and i literally just realized it today life is wack

[c0pyofa]

this fucking 1st year j staff who looks like a GI Joe doll just slammed 6 monsters in 15 minutes and puked blood

[palsprograms]

Guest Blogging From Soeren and Timbo- PALS Board Members and Spread the Word to End the Word Co-Founders

 "Timbo and I started Spread the Word to End the Word six years ago with what we thought was a crazy idea: that, somewhere, there were young people and self-advocates with ability and desire to lead a movement changing the way society views intellectual disability. We thought that, maybe, we could find enough young people and self-advocates willing to stand against the mistreatment of their classmates and friends with intellectual disabilities.

And then we came to PALS. And we realized that this wasn’t such a crazy idea after all. Through something as simple as being a counselor, being a camper, being a friend, all of us in the PALS community have already taken a stand against the stigma and prejudice that continues to follow those with intellectual disabilities. And we’ve taken a stand for acceptance, for friendship, for respect. Whether it happened at Camp Olympics, a PALS Spread the Word event, in a Camper Speech, or an authentic conversation over lunch, we’ve all taken a stand.

Today, we hope that you’ll take a stand with us to end one part of this stigma and prejudice: the word “retard(ed).” Take the pledge to end the R-word atwww.r-word.org and then asks your friends to do the same. Together, we can make a world where acceptance and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities isn’t such a crazy idea. Together, we can make the world a bit more like Our Place.

  We hope you’ll take a minute to read the op-ed that Timbo and I wrote today for Spread the Word to End the Word. And, as a bonus, you can watch Timbo and I fidget in our interview with Huffington Post Live (also at the link).

  Peace, Love, PALS,

Soeren and Timbo

Co-Founders, Spread the Word to End the Word 2010 Camp PALS Cabrini Olympics Champions (Go Sharks)"

[aabelman]

PALS Adventures Takes On Wisconsin Dells

 "Smiles, dancing, and speeding down the slopes of Wisconsin were just some of the highlights from the first-ever overnight PALS Adventure Feb 21st-23rd. Twenty two PALS alumni, from near and far, boarded a bus en route to Wisconsin Dells, WI to enjoy a weekend with some friends both old and new.  Everyone bundled up for the frigid Wisconsin air for a morning of snow tubing at Christmas Mountain Village. Shouts of joy were heard as both campers and counselors flew down the mountain on their snow tubes. 

After making lunch at the lodge,the afternoon called for a 180 degree turn as participants headed to the Indoor Wilderness water parks. The afternoon was filled with daring rides like the Hurricane and body slides, relaxing in the the lazy river and hot tub, and braving the waves in the wave pool.

After an eventful day, dinner was a team effort with everyone pitching in to make and enjoy an Italian feast. Then, in true PALS fashion, this exciting day was capped off with karaoke and a PALS dance party.