PALS Programs - PALS DC
PALS Programs offers inclusive overnight summer camps for young adults with Down syndrome and their peer mentors, focusing on social development and independ...
▌ Editor's read The PALS Programs website loads successfully and details their mission to provide inclusive summer camp experiences for young adults with Down syndrome. The organization was founded over 40 years ago by Dr. Robert and Mrs. Beverly Pasternack. While the specific 'PALS DC' program is mentioned, the website indicates multiple locations, including one in Moorestown, NJ. The program is an overnight camp with a stated 1:1 participant-to-mentor ratio, emphasizing social development and independence. PALS Programs is a nonprofit organization. Google reviews for 'PALS Programs' generally show a high rating, with an average of 4.9 stars from over 100 reviews, praising the positive impact on participants and the dedication of staff. The camp is not listed as ACA accredited, and no state licensing information for New Jersey was found on their site. Social media handles for Instagram (@palsprograms) and Facebook (palsprograms) are present on the website.
Who thrives here Age 21
PALS Programs - PALS DC serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in specialty, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 1986 (40 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Published by camp see camp site →
Details
- Category: Specialty
- Ages: 21–21
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: P.O. Box 396, Moorestown, NJ 08057, USA
- Cost notes: USD. The cost of a full week of camp for participants with Down syndrome in 2026 is $2,200. The cost of a modified program is $1,200. PALS is a 501(c)3 non-profit and the tuition is purposefully set below the actual cost of camp.
Logistics
- Lunch provided: No
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about PALS Programs - PALS DC
- What ages does PALS Programs - PALS DC accept?
- PALS Programs - PALS DC is open to children age 21. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does PALS Programs - PALS DC cost?
- PALS Programs - PALS DC publishes $1,200/week for the standard session. That sits 45% below the $2,200 median for specialty camps in Moorestown, which makes it one of the more affordable options in the category. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are PALS Programs - PALS DC's hours?
- PALS Programs - PALS DC runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Who runs PALS Programs - PALS DC?
- PALS Programs - PALS DC is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 40 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does PALS Programs - PALS DC provide lunch?
- PALS Programs - PALS DC does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
- How does PALS Programs - PALS DC compare to other specialty camps in Moorestown?
- PALS Programs - PALS DC is one of 17 specialty camps in Moorestown that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare PALS Programs - PALS DC with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside PALS Programs - PALS DC.
- PALS Programs · PALS Programs · Ages 12–21 · $2,200/week
- PALS Programs - PALS Atlantic City 1 · PALS Programs - PALS Atlantic City 1 · Ages 21–21 · $1,200/week
- PALS Programs - PALS Atlantic City 2 · PALS Programs - PALS Atlantic City 2 · Ages 21–21 · $1,200/week
- PALS Programs - PALS San Francisco 21+ · PALS Programs - PALS San Francisco 21+ · Ages 21–21 · $1,200/week
- PALS Programs - PALS New York · PALS Programs - PALS New York · Ages 18–21 · $2,200/week
- ESF Junior Camp at William Allen Middle School · William Allen Middle School · Ages 6–8 · $650/week
- ESF Phillies Baseball Academy at William Allen Middle School · William Allen Middle School · Ages 6–14 · $650/week
- ESF Summer Camps at William Allen Middle School - Senior Camp · William Allen Middle School · Ages 10–15 · $650/week