Camp Helps Kids With Down Syndrome Learn To Ride Bikes

Camps are a summer staple and at St. Scholastica a camp all about bikes just wrapped up.
"Strider bikes are balance bikes without pedals," Physical Therapy Assistant Professor Karen Swanson said.
The bike camp is for all kids, but there's a focus on helping kids with down syndrome.
"A lot of people believe that they can never learn how to ride a bike," Swanson said.
Swanson is working to shatter that stereotype. She said it's important for kids with down syndrome to be able to do the same things their siblings can do.

Camp PALS 2013!

from Camp PALS:

PALS was founded in 2004 by three then-high school-aged students, Jason Toff and Josh Stein, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Jenni Newbury, a sibling and advocate from Hillsborough, New Jersey. The Program was conceived as an extension of a social integration club that Jason and Josh had started at their high school. For its first summer, Camp PALS welcomed a group of 16 individuals with Down syndrome and 16 counselors to Cabrini College for a week of fun and friends.
Over the past nine summers, the organization has grown annually, hosting over 280 campers and counselors in 2012. Last summer, PALS welcomed a new Program: Camp PALS San Francisco. This sparked a new era of PALS Programs in cities across the country. This summer, look for Camp PALS programs in Chicago, Princeton & Georgetown!

The PALS Organization aims to offer young adults with Down syndrome the best experience of their year while providing a variety of new opportunities, exciting activities, and a chance to become more independent. We strive to create an impassioned community: campers, counselors, parents, and friends who encourage each other and grow together. We also attempt to make a meaningful impact in the Down syndrome community at large (see our values).

Dates & Location

• Camp PALS 2013 will take place from June 16-22 at Cabrini College in Pennsylvania. Camper applications will go online right here on January 1, 2013. Check blog.camppals.org for more updates!

Requirements

• Camp PALS is open to young adults with Down syndrome between the ages of 12-18. Each camper is paired one-to-one with a similarly-aged counselor. Applicants should be ready to thrive in an active residential environment. They should need minimal help with hygiene and be able to work well in groups.

Application

• Applications for Camp PALS 2013 will be available on January 1, 2013. Please email directors@camppals.org with any questions.

Summer camp gives those with Down syndrome a chance to dance

from News OK by Ben Luschen:
It was Caleb McFarland’s time to shine.
McFarland has attended the Dance and Down syndrome Music Theatre Camp, held annually at the University of Central Oklahoma, multiple times in the past, but now all eyes were on him.

For the camp’s final performance on June 15, the dancers performed selections from “Grease.” McFarland was the featured performer in “Greased Lightning,” the show’s climax.
Apparently, learning the dance moves made famous by John Travolta was not as hard as it looks.
“It usually takes 30 minutes,” McFarland said. “For me it takes two. The dance is simple.”
Still, chance favors the prepared, so McFarland worked tirelessly throughout the camp to perfect his choreography.
“It was 24/7, four days,” he said. “I practiced a lot.”
The Dance and Down syndrome Camp, which this year served youths as young as 13 to adults as old as 36, is a weeklong day camp held every summer to give individuals with Down syndrome a chance to participate in a theatrical production. The dancers spend the first four days of the camp rehearsing for their final musical showcase on Friday.
The theme of this year’s performance was “Grease,” but past themes have included Disney Channel’s “Camp Rock,” and the “High School Musical” trilogy.
Robyn Pasternack, an assistant professor of ballet at UCO, started the camp five years ago. Her daughter, Haley, has Down syndrome. This was the first year she was old enough to participate in the camp.
Pasternack originally started the camp with her daughter in mind.
“I wanted to know what was in store for my daughter when she gets older,” Pasternack said.
“That’s what really struck me. Here she was 5 or 6 years old and I didn’t really know what the future was going to be for her.”

After five years of teaching dance at her camp, Pasternack says she’s seen the great amount of potential that those with Down syndrome have, both as performers and as people.
Many of this year’s campers had been involved in past versions of the camp. Merradyth McCallister, the camp’s behavior specialist and mother of one of the campers, has seen the camp progress.
“They’ve gotten so much better every year working at their abilities,” McCallister said. “I mean, it helps them build up so much confidence that it leaks out into the other activities that they do.”
Tyler Sorum, a psychology student at UCO who works at the camp as a movement specialist, says he is amazed by the progress the performers have made in just the week they were at the camp.
“When we first started,” Sorum said, “listening to them sing was kind of a scary situation, but they definitely have proved to me that they have a range of voice. It’s interesting to see all the different kids and the different aspects to them.”
After this year’s performance, which also included the songs “Summer Nights” and “We Go Together,” the audience begged for an encore. The dancers, of course, obliged.
Kathryn Taylor, who played Rizzo in the musical, says “Grease” ranks among the better performances the camp has ever held.
“I mean, I’ve been coming here for five years,” Taylor said. “It was great.”
Though many of the campers had shined individually, McFarland says the credit for the day should go to everyone who participated in the event.
“This experience is about being all together,” McFarland said.

Program offers football, cheerleading for kids with Down syndrome

By Pamela Wood - Capital Gazette:

Stephen Nowak dreams big: He wants to be the quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens.The 19-year-old from Churchton, who has Down syndrome, came pretty close to living his dream Saturday, playing football on the artificial turf of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.“This is as good as it gets,” said Stephen’s mom, Marla. “This is a lifetime memory.”
Stephen was among several dozen young people with Down syndrome who got a chance to play football and cheer on the sidelines through a two-day camp sponsored by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. The event was a first for Annapolis.
On Friday, the players and cheerleaders learned fundamentals. Then, on Saturday, they got to participate in a game, complete with a professional announcer, scoreboard highlights and celebrity coaches.
Stephen, who wore a white No. 7 jersey for the Dragons, said his favorite part of the game was “getting the touchdown.”
His little sister Lila, 14, was the only girl on the football field, wearing 22 for the Dragons. She said the best part was running.
The Nowaks’ team, the Dragons, was coached by Mike Shanahan, coach of the Washington Redskins.
Across the field in blue were the Honey Badgers, coached by former Baltimore Ravens coach and current TV analyst Brian Billick.
In the end, the teams tied, 35-35.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by an extra chromosome. Individuals affected have mild cognitive delays and physical characteristics that include slanted eyes and a flattened nose.
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation, which is based in Colorado, had previously teamed up with former Denver Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey for Dare to Play football and Dare to Cheer cheerleading events out west.
McCaffrey enlisted the help of Shanahan, who coached him in Denver, and Billick, who coached him in college at Stanford University, to put on the Annapolis program.
“This is one of the biggest blessings I’ve ever had in my life,” McCaffrey told the crowd. “We’ve had so much fun doing it in Colorado. We’re so happy to be in Annapolis to do our first one here.”
Billick hopes Dare to Play and Dare to Cheer becomes an annual event in Annapolis.
“This is the first time I’ve been a part of this, and I plan on doing it going forward,” said Billick, who lives on the Eastern Shore. “Hopefully we can build this event to a larger event here in Annapolis.”
The football players were teamed up with players from the Naval Academy, who guided them on the field. Boys from the Severn School in Severna Park shouted encouragement from the sidelines.
Navy seniors Matt Shibata of Hawaii and Jerad Fehr of Utah said they were inspired by the passion of the young players.
“These kids love the game — shoot, maybe more than we do,” said Fehr, a safety.
Shibata said working with children with developmental disabilities reminds him to be grateful for the abilities he has.
“You learn to appreciate the things you have,” said Shibata, a wide receiver.
The game was kind of managed chaos, but a happy chaos. The players ranged from pipsqueaks too small for their jerseys to teens who could run fast and throw some juke moves to evade defenders.
There were as many coaches and volunteers on the field as players.
Narrating the action was Chris Russell, a Redskins radio personality on ESPN 980 AM. His 10-year-old son Tyler has Down syndrome.
Russell roamed the field, calling the action over the public address system. A video crew taped the event and played highlights on the end zone scoreboards.
In front of the stands, the cheerleaders wore navy and orange uniforms and waved white pompoms with the help of professional cheerleaders for the Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins.
Greg and Lisa Custer of Arnold beamed as they watched their 17-year-old daughter, Valerie, perform with the cheerleaders.
Valerie, who attends Broadneck High School, cheers with a special-needs squad sponsored by the Maryland Twisters club. But that’s a competition squad that doesn’t cheer at sports events.
“Just to give her a chance to be a real cheerleader on the field, to work with professional cheerleaders — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Lisa Custer said.
Cathy Hill’s daughter, 19-year-old Victoria, also relished the chance to cheer in a big stadium. She’s also a member of the Maryland Twisters.
Hill praised the professional cheerleaders for helping foster friendships among the girls and the two boys who cheered.
“The biggest thing is, the kids are happy,” she said.

Glee Camp in Farmington Hills, Michigan

from hometownlife.com:

They surely "don't stop believin" they're stars.

Or at least that they're on their way to being stars, after some top-notch, special training this week during Glee Camp, featuring songs and choreography from the popular TV series Glee that include classic hits like, Don't Stop Believing by Journey, plus two numbers by Lady Gaga, who was a guest artist on the show last season.

Glee Camp is new this year to the Farmington Hills Special Services Department, Cultural Arts Division, and is happening all week at the Farmington Players Barn. Instructors include professional vocalists Teresa Marbury and Bruce Pooley, who make up the musical duo Rock and Soul, along with award-winning choreographer Toi Banks and choir instructor Brian Christian.

They can see the enthusiasm — and talent — of the 25 kids who are playing Glee for the week.

“They all have voices, it's amazing,” said Marbury, who said the camp is teaching singing, dancing, choir and artist development such as stage presence. “It's in their DNA and we're here to bring it out and hopefully they'll continue to grow. They're already musically inclined.”

One particular Glee Camp student is adding something to the experience by being a participant. He's 23-year-old Danny Friedman, of West Bloomfield, who has Down syndrome. His mother, Linda Friedman, is grateful that they allowed him to join.

“They were so wonderful and so receptive,” she said. “They're angels.”

Doctors told her Danny, three pounds at birth, wouldn't walk or talk. Music has changed all of that. His singing has led to talking, then to writing and reading.

“He's always modeled after others,” she said, including his sister Nina, who loves to sing. They used to have pretend microphones and their fireplace area as their stage.

“You give him a microphone and a big crowd, and he comes alive,” she said.

Linda Friedman said having the other kids learn alongside Danny is beneficial for everyone.

“To have him be included is a win-win situation,” she said. “Because everyone learns. This is a blessing. I can't tell them enough how thankful I am.”

SEEING STARS

• Justin Cayal, 11, of Farmington Hills, said he is enjoying the Glee Camp experience.
• “We're singing all the favorite songs that we like and we're having fun with those songs,” he said. “It's amazing.”
• Emily Carroll, 12, of Farmington Hills, is taking the experience to heart.
• “I'm so happy about being able to do this,” she said. “I want to become a famous singer.”
• Working in the Glee factor into such a day camp is a great combo, according to Chloe Grisa, 12, of Livonia, who someday wants to perform on Broadway.
• “It's been really fun. Considering how much I love Glee, it's been even more fun,” she said. “People say I am just like Rachel from Glee.”
• She was sporting a Rachel-esque outfit that included a plaid skirt.
• Izzy Alo, 11, of Bloomfield Hills, said the Glee Camp will also help her achieve her dreams of musical performance.
• “It makes me feel more confident about singing in front of people,” she said. “And I love Glee.”

They surely “don't stop believin''' they're stars.

Camp Buddy bridges the gap between school years

from effinghamherald.net:

Brenna Heape’s tiny 7-year-old frame balanced atop two scooter boards as she glided across the floor, pushing and pulling a rope. After a few successful reps her face lit up, and she knew that she’d done well.

As Heape completed the set of therapy during the “motor labs” portion Camp Buddy, her smile was contagious, caught by occupational therapist Melinda Hawkins. Hawkins was holding one end of the rope and encouraging Heape through the exercise, and the two shared a few excited high fives when they finished.

Camp Buddy ended Thursday, after three days last week and three this week at the First Baptist Church of Springfield. The camp, sponsored by the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society, offers a therapy-based curriculum designed especially for children with Down syndrome.

“It’s amazing,” said Molly Marchese, a founding member of LDSS and proud mother of Ella, 5, who has Down syndrome. “You watch them do something that they couldn’t do last year, and you work hard on it, and then they come back to camp and they’re doing it. So it’s really gratifying for the therapists to see their hard work pay off and for the parents.”

This is the third year that Camp Buddy has been available locally. The camp is intended to bridge the gap between school years so that these children can retain what they’ve learned in school and prepare for the next year.

Marchese said that the camp is also a way to offer essential physical, speech and occupational therapy to children whose parents may not be able to afford such specialized treatment, especially in adverse economic times.

Yet, Ella and the rest of the children continue to make strides. Wednesday morning, Marchese couldn’t contain her emotions at the thought of her husband, Joe, seeing their daughter ride her bike for the first time, a skill she conquered at camp.

“I can’t wait for him to see her ride her bike,” she said. “He’s going to be floored. But you take it for granted, you know; you think all kids know how to ride a bike.… You’re so proud of them. You love all your children; you’re so proud of all of their accomplishments, but to watch them reach a milestone, it’s just overwhelming this joy. They bring so much joy in to your life. To watch them realize they’re accomplishing something, it’s awesome, as a mom.”

Each day the children follow a regimen of therapy with special education teachers, therapists and volunteers. They work their fine, oral and large motor skills while having fun, singing along to music, working on the computer and riding bicycles, something new this year. They practice counting, reading and writing through programs designed specifically for people with delayed learning.

“They can do all of these things,” said Marchese. “It just takes a little extra effort, a little extra work, a little extra patience and time, but they can do the same things that their typical peers can do.”

The LDSS was founded in 2006 by Candy and John Bogardus, who have a 6-year-old daughter, Lainey, with Down syndrome. Candy Bogardus said that she and her husband went looking for a local support system and found the closest groups in Jacksonville and Atlanta.

In addition to Camp Buddy, which accommodates Effingham and Chatham counties, the group provides new parent packets for new parents of children with Down syndrome with information about the genetic chromosomal disease and early intervention therapy.

“When Kristen (Fears) was born, I didn’t know anything about Down syndrome,” LDSS member Wendy Fears said of her daughter. “What you did know was all negative things.”

Fears said that her mother never thought Kristen would be able to read, and that through early intervention and therapy, Kristen is able to play ball and dance at recitals like other children. She said that the expectations of this generation are far beyond those with Down syndrome before them.

“Their quality of life is going to be phenomenal because of things like (Camp Buddy),” said Marchese. “They’re going to be productive members of the community and they already are.”
The group also sponsors a Night of Champions award banquet, honoring businesses that employ people with disabilities and those employees.

“Our whole goal with that is to recognize that these people are making a difference,” said Bogardus, also secretary of LDSS, “and we invite other businesses to show them how they could become a part of that difference.”

Marchese said that the LDSS, while still only able to offer Camp Buddy to school age children, hopes that as the Buddy Walk grows, more people will offer to run camps for teenagers and adults with Down syndrome, catering to those needs.

Bogardus said: “We just want to, at this stage, help (our children) to be as successful as possible as they get older and to realize that they don’t have to place any limits on themselves. By doing that, we help the community to not want to place limits on them, because that’s another goal of ours is the community awareness that our children are just children and people with Down syndrome are just people.”

Music From The Heart

Darius Rucker and 25 participants in last year's ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp program will perform "Music From the Heart" during a special segment of the 46th annual Academy of Country Music Awards show taking place Sunday (April 3) in Las Vegas.


The music camp, one of the ACM's charitable endeavors, is attended by young people with developmental disabilities. The campers wrote the song last summer with songwriters Brett James and Chris Young. Julianne Hough will introduce the segment supporting Nashville's Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in its efforts to help make positive differences in the lives of families dealing with developmental disabilities. For the past six years, the center has hosted a music camp for people with Williams Syndrome, autism and other developmental disabilities.


Viewers may make a donation of their choice to the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center by dialing 1-888-9-LIFTING or make a $5 donation by texting DREAM to 27722. All proceeds will benefit the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. CBS will broadcast the ACM Awards from the MGM Grand Hotel at 8 p.m. ET/PT.