Alison Winfield is the mother of Kate Winfield, who has been attending fullouT21 camps for three years. Alison is very connected with the Down syndrome community by being on the board of the DSC, the operations manager for the development and training team at the Haring Center, and having a daughter with Down syndrome.
I decided to interview Alison to better understand her perspective on my cheer camp. Here is what she had to say:
What was your experience like with the first year of fullouT21 camps?
The first year was at Lauren's house and Kate loved the camp because she got to see her friends and she loved to watch and do cheer. Kate also loved it because she felt comfortable with Lauren and Mia as her instructors.
How do you think the second year of camp was different for you and Kate?
If I can remember, the second year was more structured, and Lauren and Mia had a better understanding of how to work with the kids and the idea of motivation and discipline. Overall, I think the camp evolved to a better dynamic of responding to the needs of kids with Down syndrome. Once again Kate was thrilled to go and enjoy the camp.
… and the third?
I remember the group was much larger this year, which can be good and bad. Kate can get overwhelmed in larger groups, but I think it was great how the large group allowed for the ages to range so Kate could be a mentor to the younger kids, or she could have an older mentor. This allowed Kate to expand her group of friends and the skills all range. Kate loved the environment as well where the weather was not an issue and there were more people to meet.
What has your experience been like communicating with Lauren and the fullouT21 team?
My communication with Lauren has always been great. Lauren told me what was expected and needed and how to help Kate. The fullouT21 team is responsive and knowledgeable about what they are doing, so I think it has been great.
How have fullouT21 camps helped parents with Down syndrome with their network?
The more opportunities for kids with Down syndrome, the easier it is to get involved and form a network. At the end performance of the camp, I was able to see parents that I hadn’t seen in a long time or met new parents and I was able to bond over the experience of the camp. There is no standard handbook for parents who have kids with Down syndrome so the more families I can meet the more connected I am and the more we can help each other out. I don’t always drop Kate off or pick her up, so I loved the end gathering that the camp puts on to connect with everyone.
What aspect of fullouT21 camps has come the farthest since you and Kate first joined?
I think the structure of the camp and the instructor’s ability to work with kids with Down syndrome has come the farthest. I know that it can take a while for the instructors to learn the techniques of teaching while each kid is also unique to their own needs. I can tell that the instructors have adjusted to finding what motivates Kate after their experience of working with her. A big part of working with kids with Down syndrome is finding what motivates them because they can be stubborn so the structure the camp has created since the first year has helped Kate with her focus over the years of attending camp.
What has Kate been most proud of throughout camp?
Kate loves to cheer. She comes home and practices for hours and is proud of what she can do. She will constantly ask to show me her routine which shows me that she is proud of her ability to follow directions and the steps of a routine.
What has Kate struggled with most throughout camp?
Kate can struggle with motivation. She needs to be invited into a group to participate so she can struggle with being shy and not understanding what is happening and what is expected of her.
What is your best memory of camp while watching Kate’s experience?
I have looked at the pictures of the campers and the instructors in Lauren’s backyard and Kate is happy and proud which gives me joy. This year Kate was so joyful when she ran across the stage to do her cartwheels. Cartwheels are Kate’s favorite thing to do on a stage, so I think she will always remember that and have a blast!
