Program Schedule & Registration Information: Summer 2020

Early Learners Group Programs

• LMNOP (recommended ages 0-3): Language, Music, N' Our Peeps is an interactive and engaging program that guides young children with Down syndrome and their families through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication using music and language-based activities. LMNOP will take place on Thursday’s from 9:30-10:30am via GoToMeeting. This program will begin on May 21st. Due to this uncertain time, the remaining dates will be determined by our program leader after registration. All participants who are registered for this program will receive the dates and times of this online program once those are determined.

• Backpack Buddies (recommended ages 4-7): Backpack Buddies is a literacy and math program for young children with Down syndrome and their siblings approximately 4-7 years old. Each session will focus on a common theme and will include sensory play and math and language activities. Each participant who is registered for this program will receive 8 lesson plans and materials for the activities to be done at home!
• Dancing Divas & Dudes (recommended ages 4-7): Dancing Divas and Dudes is a dance team for individuals with special needs in Middle Tennessee. This summer program led by the Divas and Dudes is an intro to the dance world! We will explore the techniques and foundations of creative movement that are used in performances by the Divas and Dudes dance team. This program is recommended for individuals ages 4-7 years old. This program will meet online on Monday’s from 2:00-2:45pm via GoToMeeting on the following dates: 5/18, 6/1, 6/15, 6/29, 7/13, & 7/27.

School-Aged Children Group Programs

• GiGi’s Kitchen (recommended ages 5-12): GiGi’s Kitchen is designed to emphasize the importance of health and wellness through nutrition education, kitchen safety, & food preparation. Participants will learn about and progress through skills including measurements, food handling, knife skills, ingredient identification, palette expansion, and nutrition. Participants will be introduced to various cooking techniques. GiGi’s Kitchen program will build participants self-esteem and self-confidence through nutrition and wellness! This program is recommended for ages 5-12. This program will require the supervision and assistance of a parent/caregiver at all times. This virtual program will meet on Tuesdays from 11:30am-1:00pm via GoToMeeting on the following dates: 5/19, 6/2, 6/16, 6/30, 7/14, &  7/28.
• Yoga: Kids (recommended ages 8-12): Our Yoga program promotes healthy habits for a lifetime of wellness through a practice and routine that integrates physical, mental, and emotional development, helping participants develop personal awareness and learn specific strategies to maintain focus and manage emotions and impulses. Yoga for this age group will take place on Friday mornings from 10:00am-10:45am via GoToMeeting on the following dates: 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19, 6/26, 7/3, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, 8/7.
• Dancing Divas & Dudes (recommended ages 8-12): Dancing Divas and Dudes is a dance team for individuals with special needs in Middle Tennessee. This summer program led by the Divas and Dudes is an intro to the dance world! We will explore the techniques and foundations of creative movement that are used in performances by the Divas and Dudes dance team. This program is recommended for individuals ages 8-12 years old. This program will meet online on Monday’s from 2:00-2:45pm via GoToMeeting on the following dates: 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20 & 8/3.
• Super Sibs (recommended ages 7-14): Super Sibs is a special time for siblings of individuals with Down syndrome to talk about the good and the sometimes not-so-good moments of having a sibling with Down syndrome. Participants will share, play games, and have fun connecting with other siblings. Super Sibs will take place online via GoToMeeting on Tuesdays at 6:00pm - 7:00pm on the following dates: 6/9, 7/7, 8/4.

Teens & Adults Group Programs 

• GiGi’s Kitchen (recommended ages: 13-18): GiGi’s Kitchen is designed to emphasize the importance of health and wellness through nutrition education, kitchen safety, & food preparation. Participants will learn about and progress through skills including measurements, food handling, knife skills, ingredient identification, palette expansion, and nutrition. Participants will be introduced to various cooking techniques. GiGi’s Kitchen program will build participants self-esteem and self-confidence through nutrition and wellness! This program is recommended for ages 13-18. This program will require the supervision and assistance of a parent/caregiver at all times. This virtual program will meet on Tuesdays from 5:45pm-6:45pm via GoToMeeting on the following dates: 5/26, 6/9, 6/23, 7/7, 7/21, 8/4.
• GiGiFit Teen (recommended ages 13-18): GiGiFIT Teen introduces the key movements of foundational , hip strengthening and vestibular/balance exercises, we focus on improving areas of fitness through activities in strength, endurance, joint stability, balance, movement control and more. GiGiFIT Teen incorporates age appropriate activities that teens can be successful with and strengthen their bodies purposefully.​ GiGiFIT promotes wellness through nutrition, pushing through barriers and building self-confidence. Recommended for participants 13-18 years old. This program will meet on Wednesday mornings from 10:00am-11:00am via GoToMeeting on the following dates: 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5.
• Yoga: Teens and Adults (recommended ages 13-18; 18+): Our Yoga program promotes healthy habits for a lifetime of wellness through a practice and routine that integrates physical, mental, and emotional development, helping participants develop personal awareness and learn specific strategies to maintain focus and manage emotions and impulses. Yoga for this age group will take place every other Thursday via GoToMeeting from 6:00pm – 6:45pm on the following dates: 5/21, 6/4, 6/18, 7/2, 7/16, & 7/30.
• Friends, Fun, & Fitness: CrossFit (recommended ages 16+): Led by two of our incredible volunteers, Lauren Atkinson & Kaitlin Russell, this program promotes physical fitness and facilitates social interaction and positive peer relationships through purposeful physical activities for adolescents and adults. This program will meet in online via GoToMeeting on Thursdays at 6:00pm - 7:00pm on the following dates: 5/28, 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, & 8/6.
• Fantastic Friends (recommended ages 16+):  Fantastic Friends is an interactive and engaging program that is built to include individuals with and without Down syndrome aged 16+. Fantastic Friends supports the development of social skills and language through (online) peer-to-peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program will meet online via GoToMeeting on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00pm from 5/20-8/5. This group may have to be separated into 2 separate groups depending on the number of registrants. Prior to this program beginning, we will let you know what group (along with dates) that your participant is in.