Milwaukee
Down Home BBQ
On Saturday, July 14th, GiGi's Playhouse and DSAW hosted our annual Down Home BBQ at the DSAW State office in West Allis! We had a bounce house, toddler play area, slip n' slide, inflatable splash zone, yard games, TONS of awesome food and even a live band. Families also had the opportunity to take some amazing family portraits, courtesy of Frenn Photography! A HUGE thank you to all our volunteers and grillers that came to help out, all of the families that came out to enjoy the day and Max & The Invaders for a great set of live music!
Racine Fourth of July Parade On July 4th, DSAW families participated in the Racine Parade! We marched together with a DSAW wagon and showed off all of our beautiful, smiling faces!
Club DSAW
Self-advocates joined us at Moorland Golf Course for an afternoon of friendly competition and ice cream. We mini golfed, hung out and had an all around awesome time!
Circles Class
In July, we wrapped up the first session of our summer Circles class. The Circles program teaches students how relationships can be formed and maintained according to the social norms & social boundaries of our day and age. DSAW staff member Erin Miller teaches the class with her job coach. On our last day, we had a pizza party celebration to reflect on all we learned! The second Circles session began the next week (July 25th). If your child could benefit from learning about personal boundaries and relationships, register here!
Young Leaders Bootcamp
We spent this month at Bootcamp learning about ourselves and others! We got to know our friends in real ways, made vision boards and created achievable, beneficial, personal resolutions!
Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in August!
DSAW Fun Days
On the 19th and 26th, we had our July Summer Fun Days! Fun Days are mini, one day respite opportunities for kiddos ages 10-16. We went on awesome field trips to the water park and bowling!! Join us on August 9th for our next day of fun!
Kids Day Camp
Last month we also hosted a Kids Day Camp for children with Down syndrome ages 4-9. We went on field trips, did crafts and had a ton of fun!!
Family Movie Night
Every month, we bring our blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and teddy bears and get comfy for a Movie Night at our West Allis office! This month we watched (and sang and danced to) the 2014 version of Annie. Join us next month!!
Cooking with the Kiddos
Because of the Fourth of July Holiday, we didn't meet for cooking class on the first Wednesday of July. On the 18th, we made veggie pizza and yogurt parfaits! We even got to use fresh vegetables from our DSAW garden that our self-advocates planted at Bootcamp!! How cool! Cooking meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at our state office in West Allis. Come cook with us on August 1st, from 5-7 PM!
Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning! 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. This month we continued our music therapy program and also had a certified therapy pup come in for some good ole belly rubs! Playgroup runs from 9:30-11:30am, and we'll have music therapy from 10-10:45am. Music therapy will be available through August at no cost to your family! Sign up to join us!
Young Leaders Academy
Our Young Leaders Academy at our West Allis office meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. In May we launched Young Leaders on the Northside! They meet on the first and second Friday nights. Classes start off with an energetic game and end with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime. Come out to Young Leaders Academy in July in West Allis or in Fox Point!
Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month is always our favorite since we have Tween Club! This month we celebrated the FIFA World Cup with soccer games and activities. Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, August 10. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up to join us!
Parent's Night Out
Each month, DSAW parents, grandparents, and caregivers get together for a night of casual conversation and free appetizers. We meet every second Friday of the month! Come out and party with us on August 10th!
Summer Wellness Class
Our summer session of our Wellness Class also started is still going strong! The class is designed for adults with Down syndrome ages 18-30 and focuses on exercise, healthy nutrition, cooking, and overall wellness. It's held at our office on Mondays and Thursdays.
Thank you, Chris! We are SO sad to announce that July is the last month for our wonderful DSAW staff member, Chris Due. He is off to do great things and attend graduate school at Marquette University! We will miss you!
Sheboygan
Summer Picnic
This month we had our Summer Picnic at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac! Though the weather was not looking too promising in the morning, the skies cleared up just in time to put a smile on everyone's faces! We had great food, desserts, yard games and sack races with awesome prizes!
Above & Beyond Children's Museum Field Trip
In July, we took our monthly field trip to the Children's Museum for Special Needs Night! The exhibits were adapted, sound was turned low, and the museum was closed to the general public. Meet us in August for the next field trip!
All Abilities Dance Class
We have LOVED getting to showcase our dancin' feet at the All Abilities Dance Classes at In Motion dance studio!! We sadly only have one class left, but stay tuned for details on a potential second session! Thank you to Kim Casper and all the helpers at In Motion that have made this class possible!
La Crosse
NASA Boat Ride
Due to severe weather, we had to cancel our NASA boat ride on the 25th! But, fear not! We have another one just around the corner! Join us in August for our next ride.
Sandra Bartel Book Signing Sandra, author and loving sister of Joe, who has Down syndrome came out to Cabin Coffee on the 26th for a special, private book signing event! Joe and Sandra were both there to sign books and mingle!
Parent's Afternoon Out
This month, parents gathered at Vernon Vineyards for an afternoon of conversation. Meet us at Slice of Chicago in Sparta on August 25th for our next Parent's Night Out!
Green Bay
Splash Time Event
In July, we got together with families from both Green Bay and Sheboygan for a day at the pool! This was a private event hosted by the pool for individuals with special needs. Come out to the Manitowoc Family Aquatic center on August 11th for another special Splash Time!!
Playgroup
This months playgroup was held at CP Playground! Join us next month at Optimist Park. No RSVP required!
Day at The Beach
On the 22nd, DSAW families came together at the East Side Beach in Oconto Falls for a day of beach activities!
Mom's Night Out
We also had a Mom's Night Out at the Chatterhouse. We will not have our usual Mom's Night Out in August, but join us the same day at the Awareness Walk!
Central WI
Guy's Night Out
Dad's, brothers, uncles, grandpa's and other male caregivers gathered for a night out at Sconni's Alehouse. It was a great time full of food, drinks and conversation.
MADSS
Family Picnic
On the 15th, we got together at Badger Prairie Count Park for an afternoon of food and fun. Join us August 12th in Beloit for our upcoming Snappers Game Outing (tickets are only 2 DOLLARS!!!)
