Global Down Syndrome Foundation Programs Set for New Year

As the Global Down Syndrome Foundation prepares for a new year of exciting programs for people with Down syndrome, take a look back at some of the fun opportunities our programs offered in 2012, and learn about what’s in store for 2013.

Global Down Syndrome Foundation Dare to Play Soccer Camp, Denver, 2012
For the first time, the Dare to Play Soccer Camp expanded to include two different cities: Denver and Columbus, Ohio. This unique program teaches soccer skills to people with Down syndrome, showcasing their abilities in front of thousands of soccer fans during halftime at a Major League Soccer game. In 2013, this will continue in conjunction with the Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew soccer teams, Regis University and the Columbus Crew Academy. Keep an eye out for details on this year’s camps on our Dare to Play Soccer webpage, but in the meantime, check out our new photo galleries from the 2012 camps: Denver and Columbus.

Also expanded in 2012 was the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Dare to Cheer Camp and the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Dare to Play Football Camp, which were held in both Denver and Annapolis, Md. Since their inception, the camps have served nearly 200 people with Down syndrome and thousands of people from the community.

Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Dare to Cheer Camp
The Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Dare to Cheer Camps provide an opportunity for people with Down syndrome to learn cheerleading skills and perform in front of fans. The cheer campers had the opportunity to perform during halftime at a Broncos game in 2012 and will get the chance to start 2013 off early with two performances at the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders Friends & Family Show on Jan. 19 at Colorado Heights University, 3001 S. Federal Blvd. in Denver. The shows are at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Click here to see photos from the campers’ performance at halftime of the Broncos football game.

The Dare to Play Football Camp teaches touch football skills and culminates with an end-of-camp game for the community to come and celebrate the campers and see Ed McCaffrey and other celebrity coaches, including Darrel Reid, Al Wilson, Mark Schlereth, Travis Kirschke, Mike Shanahan, Brian Billick, Brian Dawkins and Jack Del Rio.

Global Down Syndrome Foundation Dare to Play Tennis Pre-Clinic with Mats Wilander
A new 2013 summer program will be the Dare to Play Tennis Camp. In anticipation, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation held a pre-clinic with celebrity tennis greats Mats Wilander and Taylor Dent after their tennis exhibition at the Gates Tennis Center in Denver. Click here for photos of the pre-clinic, and click here for photos from the exhibition. More details about the inaugural Dare to Play Tennis Camp are coming soon.

2013 marks a big change for the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Class with the Colorado Ballet. For the first time, the program will be part of the Colorado Ballet Academy, which means the classes will go for 16 weeks instead of 10, and the dancers will have new and exciting opportunities to participate in professional shows and programs like the Nutcracker and requests for dancers to attend events around Colorado. Classes begin next week, and after the success of having two of our dancers on stage in The Nutcracker for the first time last month, we’re thrilled to see what doors will open for our dancers as part of the Colorado Ballet Academy. Watch for photos of the 2012 Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Class recitals soon, and click here to watch a Denver Post video of one of our dancers in The Nutcracker.

Hollywood BallLast year was our first Be Beautiful Be Yourself Hollywood Ball, which offered a glamorous night of dinner, dancing and awards for adults with Down syndrome. The event returns in 2013 and is scheduled for Friday, May 31, at Red Rocks Community Church’s Littleton campus. Stay tuned for details and for other new ways for adults with Down syndrome to come together and socialize throughout the year!

2012 was the second year for the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fitness Class with Pure Barre. Participants work to strengthen their core body and flexibility while enjoying the benefits of exercise.  Look for details about dates and locations soon.

The Denver Zoo Internship program will be changing to the PAWS Program (Partners Advancing with Support) in 2013.  It will be a yearlong program where our volunteers will complete 50 hours at the zoo learning various jobs.  The internship program started with 2 people and will be expanded to 7 people with Down syndrome. Potential candidates will be interviewed and those chosen will start the program in late first quarter.

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