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Global Down Syndrome Foundation's 'Dare to Cheer' Camp boosts kids' confidence

The camp has served kids with Down syndrome since 2010 by giving them the opportunity to learn dance moves, participate in drills and learn cheerleading routines.
Credit: KUSA
The week-long camp has served kids with Down syndrome since 2010 by giving them the opportunity to learn dance moves, participate in drills and learn cheerleading routines.

A six-day summer camp at Valor Christian High School aims to give kids with Down syndrome a confidence boost through cheerleading and football.

Kids ages 7 and up who participate in the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Denver Broncos Cheerleaders' Dare to Cheer Camp practice dance moves, do team-building activities and drills and learn cheerleading routines throughout the week.

The camp runs concurrently with the organization's Dare to Play Football Camp with Ed McCaffrey, where kids are paired with Valor Christian High School football players for one-on-one attention and coaching.

This year's camp runs Monday, June 18 through Saturday, June 23.

Global Down Syndrome Foundation is a public nonprofit "to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through research, medical care, education and advocacy," according to its website.

The week culminates in a scrimmage on Saturday, which is joined by Broncos players and cheerleaders, Miles the mascot and skydivers.

Sahriyah Stewart, an 11-year-old girl and 6th grader at Grant Beacon Middle School, said she loves the camp because she can make friends there.

"We…do these health and wellness camps, and making friends…is a big deal -- doing the drills and actually playing in a real game with a huge audience is a big deal, so we’re very excited," added Michelle Sie Whitten, president & CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation.

Stewart said she is a great cheerleader "because I'm a great dancer."

Whitten said people can get involved by attending the scrimmage Saturday, June 23 at Valor Christian High School and by volunteering for other events.

More information on the camp can be found here.

More than 300 kids have participated in the camp since its summer 2010 inception.

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