August Program Buzz
Programs at GiGi’s Playhouse offer foundational learning opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.
Music In Motion (13+ years)
August 5 and 12 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
We are super excited to offer a new music program this summer called Music in Motion. It will be on Mondays from 5-6pm starting July 8th through August 12th for participants age 13 and up. We will learn rhythm concepts by tapping, clapping or playing an instrument and learn melodies by singing along or playing an instrument to a given melody. Different genres and styles of music will be explored while we learn about many types of instruments.
Space is limited to 10 participants! Please RSVP so we know who will be making music with us this summer!
Art Explosion (13+ years)
August 5 and 12 @ 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Our 6 week summer session will run on Mondays from 6:30-7:30pm from July 8th through August 12th for participants age 13 and up. The first 15 minutes of each session will include a discussion of the artist and some practical art instruction. We use the rest of the hour to create our masterpieces!
There will only be 10 spots available so claim yours today by RSVP’ing HERE!
Open Play (all ages)
August 7, 14 and 21 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
This program invites families and their friends to the Playhouse for playtime! Open Play helps promote positive beginnings for new families with a child with Down syndrome, creates awareness opportunities for peers and friends, as well as support and networking for current families. Come ready for fun and a crazy good time!
Adult participants, this is a great opportunity to volunteer and be mentors to our younger friends!
Backpack Buddies
August 7 and 14 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Backpack Buddies is a program that aims to provide opportunities for language and early literacy skill practice, social communication, and self-esteem and confidence building in academics. Unlike other literacy sessions, this is a group-based program. Every meeting will feature learning center activities reinforcing emergent reading, math and fine motor skills that are based on the book of the week. We will meet every Wednesday evening from 6-7pm from July 10-August 14.
Please RSVP to be sure we have enough supplies for everyone.
Celebrity Bartending
August 7 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Join us for an evening of friends, fun and celebrity bartending at Maxwells!
We will have Coach Quentin Hillsman, head coach of Syracuse Women’s Basketball and Classic Rock TK99 morning host Lisa Chelenza serving us drinks and raising funds for the FREE programs offered at GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse!
Get the babysitter booked, invite your friends and come ready for a fantastic night!
Maxwells will generously be serving up their amazing pizza to our guests!
LMNOP (0-3 years)
August 10 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Language, Music N’ Our Peeps guides parents and infants/toddlers through learning basic sign language and through incorporating music and dance therapy into daily activities, to stimulate the child. Recommended for children 6-36 months old.
Friends of all abilities are welcome! #inclusion
Please RSVP so we can be properly prepared!
Volunteer Orientation
August 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Are you interested in learning more about volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse? Please join us for an hour of information. You will learn a bit about Down syndrome, the way GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse is supporting individuals with Down syndrome and how you can use your talents to help the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse!
Volunteer Needs include – Program Leaders, Program helpers, Administrative, Cleaners, Event & Group Volunteering Opportunities!
Please let us know you are coming by signing up HERE!
Fantastic Friends (17+ years)
August 15 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Join us each month as we do something new and fun! We want to hear what you would like to do! So bring your ideas and we will help you host a Fantastic Friends night.
During this program, we aim to promote positive peer relationships, encourage relationships in the community, and develop our social skills!! Invite your friends, everyone is welcome and inclusion is celebrated!
Please RSVP so we know who will be joining us!
For the most up to date on our monthly activities please follow us on Facebook.
Destination Discovery (all ages)
August 17 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Destination Discovery is an interactive and engaging program for participants of all ages and their families. We support the development of motor skills, social skills, and language through purposeful play and peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also brings families together to share experiences and build relationships.
Destination Discovery is for all ages!! Invite your friends & please RSVP so we can be prepared for all our friends!
Visit us on Facebook to learn this month’s theme and purposeful activities.
Kids Club/Playhouse Pals (5-12 years)
August 18 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Kids Club/Playhouse Pals is an interactive and engaging program for participants ages 5 through 12. We support the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program may also support gross motor skills through active games, fine motor, and self-help skills through meal/snack preparation and activities.
Friends of all abilities are welcome & wanted! Please RSVP so we can best prepare for the fun!
Open Play (all ages)
August 18 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
This program invites families and their friends to the Playhouse for playtime! Open Play helps promote positive beginnings for new families with a child with Down syndrome, creates awareness opportunities for peers and friends, as well as support and networking for current families. Come ready for fun and a crazy good time!
Please RSVP so we know you are joining us!
Adult participants, this is a great opportunity to volunteer and be mentors to our younger friends!
Gratitude Committee (20+ years)
August 20 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join this core group of adult volunteers (ages 20+) to hand-craft thank you cards for our amazing donors, as well as assist the office with other playhouse projects. We provide the supplies, you provide the gratitude!
Please RSVP here!
Karate Kickers
August 23 and 30 @ 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
The benefits of karate for people with Down syndrome are endless. Karate focuses on development of balance, coordination, discipline, focus, attention, physical fitness and confidence. There will be no physical contact between peers. Recommended for youths with Down syndrome ages 8 and up.
Goals:
· Increase self-esteem
· Develop cognitive processing skills
· Learn to follow basic visual and verbal instructions
· Improve gross motor skills, coordination and balance
** This is held off-site and by pre-registration only. For information on the next session, please email hrodriguez@gigisplayhouse.org. **
New York State Fair Parade
August 26 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
We are very excited to have been invited back again to participate in the evening Parade at the New York State Fair!
Marchers will meet by 5:45pm at the staging area near the beef and cattle barn on the far western end of the fairgrounds. The parade starts at 6pm.
Volunteers will meet between 5-5:15pm at the Center of Progress Building on the Bridge Street and State Fair Boulevard corner of the building.
To sign up to volunteer or march with us, please go to our sign up link HERE!
Friends, Fun & Fitness (12+ years)
August 27 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Join us for a fun & exciting time! This one-hour workout session focuses on building muscle tone and endurance and is open to individuals with Down syndrome & their friends of all abilities (12 & up)! Each week we will encourage each other to give our #bestofall.
Goals:
- Increase knowledge and understanding of the importance of physical activity for teens/ young adults with DS
- Increase physical activity levels through various types of exercise
- Motivate participants to independently practice various physical activities at home/ in the community.
Please RSVP so we know you are joining us!
Gluten Free Cooking (12+ years)
August 27 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Get cooking with your friends at GiGi’s! This program is geared toward building safety awareness in the kitchen and preparing healthy, gluten-free recipes that taste great. During each program, we will make and eat a gluten-free entree and dessert to enjoy!
Recommended for youth, teens and adults (12 & up).
Please RSVP so we have enough food for everyone!
Literacy Tutor Training
August 29 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Please join us on Thursday, August 29th from 6:30-8pm for Literacy Tutor Training. We will give you all the tools you need to successfully tutor a literacy student. You will be paired with a student based on availability. No prior teaching experience is necessary, just a desire to help!
If you have not done so already, please fill out our Tutor Application at https://gigisplayhouse.tfaforms.net/4655014.
