FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Basic Information
What is the CHOP Buddy Walk® & Family Fun Day?
The CHOP Buddy Walk® & Family Fun Day is a day of celebration where over 2,500 family members and friends come together to honor all individuals with Down syndrome, all while raising funds for CHOP’s Trisomy 21 Program! The day will be filled with fun activities for the entire family, including moon bounces, carnival games, face painting, an auction, sweepstakes and so much more!
How does the CHOP Buddy Walk® work?
Register: Start your team or join a team here
Raise funds: 100% of every dollar raised for the CHOP Buddy Walk® funds breakthroughs in care at CHOP’s Trisomy 21 Program, which serves individuals with Down Syndrome throughout their life.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, join us at Lincoln Financial Field’s Pepsi Plaza to celebrate all our loved ones with Down syndrome! There will be activities for the entire family, an event program and short walk ending on the field of our 2025 Super Bowl champs, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Event Day
Where does the event take place?
At Lincoln Financial Field – Pepsi Plaza, home of the Philadelphia Eagles. Use the K-Lot entrance at North Access Drive & South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148.
What date and time is the event?
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
9 a.m. – Registration opens
10 a.m. – Top Team Ceremonial Walk begins
10:30 a.m. – Staggered Ceremonial Walk begins
11 a.m. – Stage Program
1 p.m. – Event concludes
When should I arrive?
We suggest arriving by 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, to ensure your team is ready to check in at the beginning of the event.
Where can I park?
K-Lot will have free parking for all participants. Check out this MAP for locations.
Is there a rain date?
No, the event will be held rain or shine. We encourage everyone to dress for the weather.
What is a team tent?
A team tent is a centrally located meeting area for your team. The 10’ x 10’ tent will have a banner with your team’s name. We also deliver event T-shirts directly to your tent, which allows all your pre-registered team members to avoid any T-shirt lines on event day.
How can my team get a tent?
Teams that raise at least $6,000 will be provided with a tent on the day of the event. The deadline to guarantee a team tent is Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.
Will CHOP photographers be available to take team photos?
Yes! Photographers will roam throughout the event space and will be happy to take team photos.
Are strollers allowed at the event/walk?
Strollers are allowed during all portions of the event. If a participant would like to walk with a stroller, please be courteous of other teams walking during the ceremonial lap and throughout the duration of the event.
Are we allowed to bring dogs on the event day?
Only service dogs/animals will be permitted at the event. Please bring proper documentation if you plan to bring your service animal.
Will there be a designated space for individuals who are noise or crowd sensitive?
Yes, the Eagles have a designated touchdown quiet space that is available to all participants. Please find an Eagles staff member (who will be wearing red polos) and request access to the quiet room.
Is there an auction and/or sweepstakes?
Yes, to both! The auction and sweepstakes will take place inside the Eagles stadium. There will be three locations to buy tickets and prices are listed below.
- 12 Tickets – $10
- 25 Tickets – $20
When does the Auction and Sweepstakes close?
The auction and sweepstakes will officially close at noon on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. If you are selected as a winner, you will receive a text message to return to the auction and sweepstakes area to claim your item or receive further instructions.
What should I wear to the CHOP Buddy Walk®?
We encourage all participants to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Don’t be afraid to show your spirit — team shirts, signs, noise makers, etc. Many teams create their own shirts for event day, so get creative! Learn how to create your personalized team shirt on Bonfire.
May I bring my own food and beverage to the event?
Yes, outside food and beverages are permitted.
Registration
What is the cost of registration?
Pre-registration:
Adult participant: $21
Children (aged 4-12): $10
Kids (age 3 & younger): FREE
Event day registration:
Adult participant: $26
Children (aged 4-12): $15
Kids (age 3 & younger): FREE
When does online registration end?
Online registration for the in-person event ends at noon on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. If you or someone you know misses this date, event-day registration will be available starting at 9 a.m.
Can I register on the day of the event?
Event-day registration is available starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. The registration fee is $26 for adults, $15 for kids aged 4-12, and free for children age 3 or younger.
I do not remember my password to my registration or team page, and I am unable to reset it. What should I do?
Contact buddywalk@chop.edu and provide your name and tell us your access issue. We will manually reset your information and provide you with a new password within 48 hours.
Is there a limit to how many people can be on my team?
The more the merrier! The more teammates you recruit, the more dollars you can raise for the Trisomy 21 Program and support Down syndrome research and care.
Volunteer information
I have volunteered with Buddy Walk in the past. Will there be roles for volunteers this year?
Yes! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at Buddywalk@chop.edu or fill out this form.
Fundraising
Where do the funds go from CHOP Buddy Walk® and Family Fun Day?
100% of every dollar raised through CHOP Buddy Walk® funds breakthroughs in care for children at CHOP’s Trisomy 21 Program. See your impact.
Do I need to fundraise on top of my registration fee?
Fundraising is not required, but it is encouraged! Every dollar raised helps us fund breakthrough research and innovative care for patients at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
How much of my donation will be directed to the Trisomy 21 Program?
100% of your donation directly supports care for individuals with Down syndrome at Trisomy 21 Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
What is the deadline to be recognized as the top fundraising team?
The top fundraising team deadline is noon on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.
What are the responsibilities of the team captain?
Team captains customize the team page, recruit team members, motivate them to fundraise and share event details with the team. Some team captains go above and beyond and create special team T-shirts or organize a team fundraising event!
Can I create a Facebook fundraiser that will show up on my team page?
Yes! We encourage our participants to start Facebook fundraising through your Participant Center. Log in to your event fundraising portal and select “Create a Facebook Fundraiser” to get started! Check out our Facebook Fundraising guide.
What should we do with cash donations made to our team?
All cash donations should be converted to check or money order. Please download and use this form when submitting cash or check payments. The form includes instructions on who checks should be made out to and where they should be sent.
I donated to a participant/team, but it is not showing up on their page. What can I do?
Sometimes donations are mistakenly made to the general event. Contact buddywalk@chop.edu and provide your name and who your donation was intended to be credited to. We will manually move your donation to the correct location within 48 hours.
What do I do if I – or someone I know – incorrectly donated to the event and meant to donate to my page?
Email buddywalk@chop.edu and provide us with the donor’s name and the correct page that the donation should be credited to. We’ll update the donation to the correct participant or team within 48 hours.
Are there opportunities to get my company involved?
Yes! If you work for a company that might be interested in being a sponsor, please review our sponsorship opportunities packet or email us at buddywalk@chop.edu for more information. Custom opportunities and packages are available. We also welcome any company that would like to form a corporate team and participate. Contact Grace Samuelson at buddywalk@chop.edu or 973-590-0373.
How do I know if my company has a matching gift program?
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. Check with your employer. It’s a great way to double your donation!
Who can I contact if I have questions?
For any questions, please contact us at buddywalk@chop.edu.
