DSAW kicked it into high gear at the start of June with the goal of launching a new plan for our largest fundraisers of the year - our Down Syndrome Awareness Walks! Registration has launched for all of our Walks so check them out! While we collaborated with chapters across the state to organize those, DSAW Connects began it’s summer semester of new programs, we introduced a large menu of FREE fraternal summer programs, and our Golf Outing launched! It’s been a busy summer so far!
DSAW Connects: Statewide Summer Programs for All DSAW Chapters and MADSS
Our DSAW Connects Virtual Summer Classes continue to be a huge success. We will be sad to switch over to new programming after August 14th. More than 80 students of all ages signed up from across the state, and many of the classes offered multiple sessions to accommodate all schedules.
Click here to learn more about our paid summer classes.
Here is what a few of our programs have been up to over the last month!
DSAW Connects: Media Madness
We are teaching future tech wizards in this class! The class has covered the basics of Google Drive usage and discussed the ins and outs of social media safety during June. We’ve had conversations about what to do about scam calls and other relevant media safety skills. We make time for fun too by watching popular music videos at the end of class.
DSAW Connects: Let’s Get Connected!
We are learning how to make new friendships while strengthening current relationships during Let’s Get Connected! This class uses videos as a tool to promote conversation among the group. We’ve had awesome conversations this month about friendship!
DSAW Connects: Move & Groove
We are keeping active and fit throughout the summer season! Move & Groove fits a lot into a short 1 hour! The participants learn routines to popular music and have discussions about wellbeing with the instructor in-between songs!
DSAW Connects: Creative Corner
The takeaway from Creative Corner is that art is all around us! Participants have been creating lots of animal themed works of art this month and have had great discussions about self expression.
Free Summer Programs for DSAW Families
In June, DSAW began its menu of FREE fraternal programs for families around the state, including music therapy, zumba, yoga, Stream Team, parent and grandparent groups, scrapbooking, and more!
Click here to learn more about our free fraternal programming.
In June, DSAW began its menu of FREE fraternal programs for families around the state, including music therapy, zumba, yoga, Stream Team, parent and grandparent groups, scrapbooking, and more!
Click here to learn more about our free fraternal programming.
Here’s what a few of our groups have been up to this summer!
Parents’ Night IN
This fun-loving group of parents and caregivers continues to meet twice a month via Zoom. Now more than ever it is important to stay connected (or make new connections)! We love seeing you all on these calls and get so excited when new people join!
Stream Team
This self-advocate group has been learning more about each other through fun games like “Question of the Day” and “Would You Rather?”. They’ve also enjoyed activities like show-and-tell and Pictionary. At the end of each class, the participants watch a music video for “Song of the Day” and it’s a blast listening to friends’ favorite tunes.
Tween Stream Team
These tweens love to play games like “5 Second Rule” and participate in other social activities. This class is a great break in the day from content-based classes and it lets the participants just relax and catch up with their friends in a structured way.
Grandparents Group
DSAW- Grandparents Group has expanded statewide! You can join this lovely group of grandparents at any time and stay connected with them through the new Facebook Group. They love to share adorable pics of their grandkids with each other.
The Annual Golf Outing
Our DSAW Golf Outing, will be held on August 12th at Western Lakes Golf Course! It is the most FUN Golf Outing you’ll ever attend. In addition to a day spent golfing on a beautiful course, the entire day is filled with fun games, exciting chances to win BIG prizes, delicious food, and a beautiful program. Tom Pipines, retired Fox sports anchor, and Steve “The Homer” True, sportscaster for ESPN, help us to put on this wonderful day.
DSAW is closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and has plans in place to keep everyone safe at our Golf Outing this year.
Down Syndrome Awareness Walks
We launched registration for all of DSAW's Down Syndrome Awareness Walks across the state! This year, we are throwing a party like NEVER before! Due to the uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the crowd size at our Awareness Walks in the past, DSAW's Down Syndrome Awareness Walks will look different this year in that they are going mostly VIRTUAL! We are hosting awesome virtual activities all summer long, a virtual program on Walk Day, and some locations are examining exciting meet up opportunities such as a giant car parade or a physically distant Awareness Walk - check out your chapter's page to learn more.
If you thought you had fun with us on one day, get ready for our months-long celebration of our friends with Down syndrome!! DSAW families from around the state will be uniting with us to celebrate Down syndrome awareness ALL SUMMER LONG. Each chapter has its own fundraising page, so find your location below to get started!
Register for an Awareness Walk in your area today!
#DSAWVirtualWalk Weekly Challenges
Starting at the end of June, DSAW began posting weekly challenges as a part of the DSAW Virtual Walk! This week, we are asking participants to share their Walk on social media! You can link to a Facebook fundraiser, share a DSAW post, or post the link to your team. Use #DSAWVirtualWalk or tag @DSAWisconsin to connect with us and get a chance to win a State Fair Wisconsin Products Pavilion gift package! Tune in to our Facebook Live video this Friday at 2 PM to watch the live drawing! We will also announce the next #DSAWVirtualWalk Weekly Challenge during this video! Check out the DSAW State Facebook page for more info.
