Let’s inspire a world of belonging together.

PALS strives to create camp communities that are representative of the communities where we host our programs. We believe that diverse ideas, cultures, and traditions reflect the broad diversity of the U.S. and are essential to building our vision of a community of belonging.

Because of this, enrollment is not first-come-first-served. Instead, we consider factors such as age, gender, geography, partnerships, demographics, and overall program mix to build balanced programs that meaningfully reflect the communities in which they take place.

This summer, PALS will serve 560 individuals with Down syndrome across 13 programs!

92% of volunteers hear about PALS through word of mouth. Your voice has the power to inspire a world of belonging by sharing about PALS with your friends, family, school, clubs, social media following, and more with the invitation to join us.

PEER ENROLLMENT UPDATES

The following updates are the volunteer Peer spots available at each program.

PALS New York: FULL Adult Females | FULL Adult Males

PALS New Jersey: FULL Minor & Adult Females | FULL Minor & Adult Males

PALS Los Angeles FULL Minor & Adult Females | FULL Minor & Adult Males

PALS DC: FULL Adult Female | 1 Adult Male

PALS Cleveland: FULL Minor & Adult Females | FULL Minor & Adult Males

PALS Boston: FULL Minor Females & 2 Adult Females | FULL Minor & Adult Males

PALS Atlantic City I: FULL Adult Females | FULL Adult Males

PALS Baltimore: FULL Minor & Adult Females | FULL Minor & 2 Adult Males

PALS Philadelphia: FULL Minor & Adult Females | FULL Minor & 1 Adult Male

PALS Chicago: FULL Minor & Adult Females | FULL Minor & Adult Males

PALS Atlantic City II: FULL Adult Female | 1 Adult Male

PALS San Francisco: FULL Minor & Adult Females | FULL Minor Males & 3 Adult Males

PALS San Francisco 21+: FULL Adult Females | 4 Adult Males

LEAD ENROLLMENT UPDATES

The following updates are the volunteer LEADERSHIP spots available at each program.

PALS New York: FULL Medical | FULL Media | FULL Team Leads | FULL Support Leads

PALS New Jersey: FULL Medical | 2 Media | FULL Team Leads | FULL Support Leads

PALS Los Angeles: FULL Medical | 2 Media | FULL Team Leads | FULL Support Leads

PALS DC: FULL Media | 1 Support Lead

PALS Cleveland: FULL Medical | FULL Media | FULL Team Leads | FULL Support Leads

PALS Boston: FULL Medical | FULL Media | 1 Team Lead | FULL Support Leads

PALS Atlantic City I: FULL Media | FULL Support Leads

PALS Baltimore: FULL Medical | 1 Media | FULL Team Leads | 1 Support Lead

PALS Philadelphia: FULL Medical | 1 Media | FULL Team Leads | 1 Support Lead

PALS Chicago: FULL Medical | FULL Media | FULL Team Leads | 1 Support Lead

PALS Atlantic City II: 1 Media | FULL Support Leads

PALS San Francisco: FULL Medical | FULL Media | FULL Female Team Leads | 3 Male Team Leads | 1 Support Lead

PALS San Francisco 21+: 1 Media | FULL Support Leads

PARTNER ENROLLMENT UPDATES

Most of our programs are now nearly full for the upcoming season. However, a small number of programs still have spots available, and we are especially hoping to reach participants from underrepresented communities in the regions those programs serve.

If you are interested in learning more or helping connect someone who may be interested in attending PALS, please contact support@palsprograms.org to connect with a member of our team.

Here are two easy ways you can share about PALS!

Share on social media

 
 

Sharing about PALS on your social media is one of the easiest ways to support recruitment efforts. Whether through your story, posts, or simply by liking and commenting on our content, you help reach countless individuals! Don’t forget to follow and tag us @palsprograms on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok!

⬇️ Copy this social media post! ⬇️

PALS has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life It’s a free, week-long summer camp where you’re paired 1-to-1 with a person who has Down syndrome—and it’s full of connection, fun, and friendship. If you’re looking for something special to do this summer, come join me at camp! DM me for more info.

(Include your favorite photo from camp)

OR

I just signed up for my first week at PALS this summer and I already know it’s going to be something really special It’s a free, week-long camp where each volunteer is paired 1-to-1 with a person who has Down syndrome—and it’s all about connection, fun, and friendship.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to spend a week this summer, come do it with me! I’d love to experience it together. DM me if you want more info!

Make a personal ask

 
 

Imagine if every volunteer brought just one new volunteer into the PALS family - our camps would be full! Whether it's a friend, relative, teacher, coach, or neighbor, simply sharing your experience and extending a heartfelt invitation can make a significant impact on our recruitment efforts. Send them the application link! Your personal recommendation carries weight and can truly move the recruitment needle.

⬇️ Copy this text message! ⬇️

Hey! I just signed up to volunteer at a camp called PALS this summer, and I’m so excited about it. It’s a week-long program in (your city) that brings together people with and without Down syndrome to build friendships and have an unforgettable time. There are tons of fun activities planned, plus time to explore the city together! Since this is my first time volunteering, I’d love to do it with someone I know — and I immediately thought of you. I think you'd be such a great fit for the program. Want to join me? I can send you more details if you're interested!

OR

Hey! This summer I'll be volunteering at a camp called PALS, it's a week-long program in (your city) that brings together people with and without Down syndrome. I’m really looking forward to it — there’ll be a ton of fun activities throughout the week and opportunities to explore the city! When I was thinking about people who’d be an awesome fit for PALS, you immediately came to mind. Would you be interested in volunteering with me? I can send you more info if you’re curious!

🎉 TOP PALS RECRUITERS LAST SEASON 🎉

West Coast

Guadalupe Velasco

Recruiter of the Year!

 

Kevin Gonzales

 

East Coast

Ben Catarius

Midwest

Drew Kasyjanski

Andrew Kokowski

Brady Gomez

Jordan Getz

Kyle & Kaitey Calvey

PALS RECruitment Partnerships

We would like to give a special shoutout to our recruitment partnerships who
recruited 10 or more volunteers for PALS last season.

St. Mary’s Academy
USC Hybrid High School
Otterbein University
Indian Creek High School
Verbum Dei Jesuit High School
Brother Rice High School
Hunter College
University Prep Value High School
The Baldwin School
University School
Valley Christian High School
St. Joseph’s Preparatory School

 

  • We would still encourage you to share about PALS! While folks may be added to a waitlist, that doesn’t mean a spot couldn’t become available due to cancellations.

    Whether someone joins us as a Peer, makes a donation, hosts a programming activity during camp, or has another special skill (e.g. media or medical), they all support the success of our programs. It’s worth sharing!

    Additionally, once someone has applied, they will be added to our mailing list and updated about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

  • It's okay if someone does not immediately come to your mind! Simply sharing about PALS in your day-to-day life with your teachers, doctors, the person in line at the grocery store, anyone and everyone makes a huge impact. You never know who may be interested in joining the PALS family!

    General sharing, like on your social media, means more people will see the PALS mission and allow for a larger reach!

  • Of course! You can pass along contact information to support@palsprograms.org and we would be happy to reach out and share about PALS.

    Additionally, if you would like to share with the person, but feel like you do not have the correct language or recruitment materials, email us and we can pass those things along to you.

  • Email Lauren, PALS Recruitment Coordinator, at support@palsprograms.org or by calling the PALS office line at (267) 477-7257.

    Whether it’s recruiting a friend, hosting a PALS presentation, or simply wanting to chat about new recruitment ideas, we’re here for you.

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