About Us
We are a locally-based nonprofit and 501(c)(3) that provides overnight, respite programming in the DC area for young adults with Down syndrome.
Our Mission
We provide inclusive and fun programming where young adults with Down syndrome and their peers build transformative friendships, develop new skills, grow and have fun together.
What We Do
Down Right Perfect is a vibrant sleep-away program for young adults with Down syndrome and their peers, taking place from Friday to Monday every Labor Day weekend in the DC area. We pair each participant with a similarly-aged mentor, creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Together, we dive into classic Labor Day weekend fun — think live music, karaoke, bonfires, and a festive dinner dance! Plus, we host reunions and gatherings throughout the year to keep the magic alive.
Why We Are Different
Strong Community Bonds. We’ve built a community where long-term friendships flourish – both for individuals with and without Down syndrome. With a participant retention rate of over 95% and many of our volunteers taking part in our programs for decades, everyone involved shares years of experiences and genuine connections.
One-to-One Pairing Model. Each participant in our long weekend program is paired and rooms with a similarly-aged volunteer “mentor,” which fosters genuine camaraderie with their own peers. This pairing model enhances the experience for everyone involved.
Exciting, Age Appropriate Activities. Our weekends are packed with activities that any adult would love, such as live music, beer tastings, and cozy bonfires. We believe in celebrating every participant as the adults they are, ensuring everyone has a fantastic time.
Testimonials
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"It was an incredible experience, being able to see the world through the participants’ eyes, pay close attention to what matters to them, be happy with the small things we don’t always appreciate in day-to-day life... it was just amazing!"
Volunteer
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"The volunteers were wonderful, they really make the program! Our daughter loved her mentor and made a new friend."
Parent
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"Down Right Perfect was a phenomenal experience overall - the staff, participants, and overall atmosphere of warmth and fun was everything I could have hoped for and more!"
Scott Gerson - Volunteer
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"Our son loved it! Everything seemed 'Down Right' perfect!"
Rhonda Turner - Parent
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"I loved everything except going home at the end."
Eli Lewis - Participant
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"I felt happy while at Down Right Perfect because I liked being with my roommate and my friends, and spending time with new friends, both girls and boys. It made me feel important."
Participant
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"I learned new things from my roommate and had a great time hanging out with lots of friends old and new."
Participant
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"I made some great new friends. I had the best time (even though I was exhausted) and am absolutely looking forward to coming back next year."
Volunteer
Meet the Team
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Laura Karp
Co-Founder
Laura is an Occupational Therapist in Maryland who loves spending time outside.
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Kelsey Siegel
Co-Founder
Kelsey runs a horseback riding program in Poolesville, MD and loves playing the guitar.
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Roland Rizzi
Co-Founder
Roland is a consultant in New York who loves traveling and baking.
Join Us for Labor Day Weekend 2026
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Volunteers
Down Right Perfect is only possible because of our our passionate volunteers who act as mentors (paired one-to-one with a participant with Down syndrome), nurses, and media staff. No experience with the Down syndrome community is required, we are just looking for responsible, fun-loving and open-minded adults. Our 2026 application is below, so please feel free to apply!
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Participants & Families
Down Right Perfect serves adults with Down syndrome who are at least 21 years old. Our programming is based in the Maryland and DC areas, but we have folks who travel across the U.S. to join us each year. We are beginning to take applications for 2026 but have limited spots for new participants - if you are interested in applying please contact us below and we’ll provide further information.
FAQs
Programming
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Our programs are designed for young adults with Down syndrome, ages 21 and up. While we welcome folks of all abilities, all participants must be able to attend to their own hygiene, cooperate with peers, and work well in a group setting.
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Our long weekend program, which runs from Friday evening to Monday morning each Labor Day weekend, includes a variety of activities that encourage social skill-building, healthy eating, self-confidence, and independence.
Our schedule changes each year, but in the past this itinerary has included karaoke, a beer tasting, bowling, a trip to the arcade, a dinner dance, painting, swimming, and a trip to a local petting zoo and farm.
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Historically, tuition for our Labor Day weekend program has been $850 to cover the cost of the event. However, many of our families use respite funding from local organizations to cover tuition and we strive to ensure all families can attend our programs, regardless of their financial situation.
Please note that we are not a camp or registered with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Thus we cannot guarantee funding from all local organizations and respite funding providers, and families are responsible for coordinating this funding.
Volunteering is free and all meals, lodging, and activities are covered.
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Historically, our Labor Day weekend program has been held at the Claggett Center at 3035 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown MD.
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Participant safety is our top priority. We maintain a high volunteer-to-participant ratio, screen and train volunteers, and partner with trusted facilities like the Claggett Center. Medical forms are required for all participants and we have a full-time nurse on staff at all times.
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We host other low cost, opt-in events throughout the year for our participants. In the past we’ve hosted virtual courses encouraging wellness, like a virtual Zumba sessions led by one of our participants and a bi-weekly course on consent and boundaries led by two of our volunteers.
We also host in person reunions, like a trip to a Nationals’ game and Medieval Times. Please email downrightperfectinfo@gmail.com if you’d like to be added to our listserv to hear about upcoming events.
Volunteering
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Volunteers are the heart of our community! Our Labor Day weekend program relies on enthusiastic volunteers who serve as mentors (paired one-to-one with one of our participants for the weekend), nurses, and media staff who capture all of the magic.
You can apply via our Volunteer application form, which will open soon for our 2026 program.
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No prior experience is required! We provide training and pair new volunteers thoughtfully to ensure they have a fantastic weekend.
Our volunteers come from a variety of different backgrounds, professional experiences, and identities - the one commonality between them is compassion, patience, and enthusiasm. We also pair our participants with similarly aged mentors, so most, but not all, of our volunteers are 21-40 years old.
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There are many ways to support our mission - through donations, sponsoring events, spreading the word in your community, or following us on social media. Every contribution helps us create meaningful experiences for our participants.