On June 24th students, teachers and families gathered for their annual Best Buddies Summer Picnic at Paul Miller Park for an afternoon filled with food, friendship and fun! All three Perham Public Schools have a Best Buddies chapter, so this event was a great opportunity for students to stay connected with their buddies over the summer, continue growing their friendships, and celebrate the Best Buddies mission of inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The picnic was hosted by the Chapter Advisors from each school program as well as Best Buddies in Minnesota staff. Attendees enjoyed hot dogs that were generously donated by Lakes Community Coop – Meat Market and enjoyed swimming in the lake, playing yard games, coloring, and enjoying quality time together.

Kai Walsh, Best Buddies Director of Programs and Operations, attended the picnic and reflected on the experience, saying, “It’s incredible to see the way the Perham community has embraced the Best Buddies program and is building a district wide culture of inclusion. These teachers are truly one of a kind and work hard to ensure students with disabilities know that they belong. This event is a perfect example of how they go above and beyond to create opportunities for students to connect and build friendships together, even on their summer break.”

A Growing Movement in Perham

Perham’s involvement with Best Buddies is relatively recent, but its impact has been profound. The movement began in the fall of 2022, when Prairie Wind Middle School launched their Best Buddies chapter, followed by Perham High School later that year. Finally, Heart of the Lakes Elementary School opened their chapter towards the end of the year in 2023. These schools are part of a growing network of Minnesota schools embracing inclusive friendship programs aimed at bridging social gaps and promoting kindness.

Each chapter of Best Buddies pairs students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with peers without disabilities in one-to-one friendships. These partnerships are nurtured through regular meetings, shared activities, and group events that build trust, empathy, and mutual respect. For many students, being part of Best Buddies means gaining a friend, and also becoming one.

The Best Buddies chapters through Perham Public Schools have grown exponentially each year and have become a strong example of the power of inclusion in schools. In 2024 Perham High School Chapter President, Grace Sorenson, attended Best Buddies International Leadership Conference in Bloomington, Indiana with the Best Buddies Minnesota delegation, and this year the school chapters participated in a mini Friendship Walk to celebrate the Best Buddies mission of friendship and inclusion. Chapter Advisors even offer monthly summer programming for students to stay connected to the Best Buddies community over summer break.

Over the years, the Best Buddies programs at Perham Schools have been supported by KLN Family Brands, West Central Initiative through the Deloris Barnack Kenner Fund, and the Best Buddies in Minnesota State Office.

About Best Buddies

Best Buddies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).