Milwaukee
Down Home BBQ
We had a fantastic day at our Down Home BBQ on July 8. We partnered with Gigi's Playhouse Milwaukee and Wisconsin Upside Down to host over 200 people at our state headquarters in West Allis! We had food, a splash zone, a live band, inflatables, yard games, a fire truck, crafts, face painting, and more! Thank you to all who helped us make this event possible.
Respite Day Camp
We officially began our Respite Day Camp in July! On Wednesdays at our state headquarters, middle school and high school students with Down syndrome are invited to join us for a day long respite camp. In July we practiced money counting and reading, played outside, did a social skills activity, and planned a menu of food that we cooked. Sign up for respite day camp on Wednesday August 23 and August 30 for a supportive environment for your child.
Young Leaders Bootcamp
Self-Advocates joined us for a fun month of Young Leaders Bootcamp. This month's topic was Acting! We've been rehearsing a play each week, and we will continue to rehearse through August for our big final performance.
Consider signing up for our FREE August Bootcamp on Acting (ages 12+).
Cooking with the Kiddos
This month at Cooking with the Kiddos we made cheeseburgers and a scrumptious apple crisp. Cooking with the Kiddos is a fun evening of family bonding, plus a free meal... what could be better? Join us next month.
Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup at the state office in West Allis continues to grow! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. Join us in August to hang out with other families and let your child play!
Young Leaders Academy
Self-Advocates joined us for Young Leaders Academy twice in July. Every class involves a respite activity such as kickball or yoga, and then ends with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime. Come to Young Leaders Academy in August!
Parent's Night Out
We had a fun group of parents join us for Parent's Night Out at Club Paragon in Greenfield in July. Don't miss next month's Parent's Night Out!
Family Movie Night
We will have an awesome night watching Madagascar outside, drive-in style at the end of July! Join us in August for another drive-in experience!
Green Bay
DSAW-Green Bay hosted their monthly playgroup at the beginning of the month at Sand Acres Park in Ashwaubenon! Join us on August 5 for our next playgroup at Pamperin Park!
We also hosted a Dad's Golf Night Out at The Woods Golf Club in Green Bay! Despite the rain, Dads were able to come together for a fun dads-only evening.
Our moms had a night out too! DSAW-Green Bay moms got together in Sturgeon Bay for an evening of food and for a pontoon boat ride on the lake. We will not be holding a Mom's Night Out in August due to our Awareness Walk, so come hang out with DSAW moms again in September.
La Crosse
DSAW-COTH-GLA partnered with the La Crosse Area Autism Foundation and the Dahl Family YMCA to offer cooking classes for tweens, teens, and adults with special needs. The sessions were great and the self-advocates made several fruity treats! The classes were even featured in the La Crosse Tribune! Click here to read the article.
We had lots of fun at our Breakfast Club fundraiser on July 15. We had 3 Guest bartenders from UW-L Motor Development Program, Garth, Quintin, and Joe. They were lots of fun! We had 2 members Jenny Levendoski (mom of Eliza) and Andrea Finney (mom of Levi) come and volunteer to have eggs broken on their head in a fun game called egg roulette; customers buy eggs for $10 and they can break them over the volunteer's head, But the egg may be raw or maybe hard boiled! If you missed it don’t worry! We will be doing it again next year - just keep a look out for our upcoming events.
Central WI (Wausau)
DSAW-Central WI hosted a pool party on July 15 in Wausau. Around 50 people came out to enjoy the summer weather. Our event even made the local news! Chapter leader Miriam Marting was interviewed on TV, and an article about the event was published online. Read the article here!
Sheboygan
DSAW-Sheboygan hosted a family picnic at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac this month. Families came together to grill out, play yard games, explore the park, and meet new friends. We had sack races and raffle drawings, and the park had an animal barn, train, carousel, and huge playground!! It was a wonderful day for DSAW families.
Chippewa Valley
DSAW-Chippewa Valley will host a Parent's Night Out in Chippewa Falls at the end of the month. Parents and caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome will be able to connect over free appetizers and casual conversation.
