Each summer (and at a special adult camp in March!) approximately 250 youth and teens and adults with Williams syndrome enjoy camp weeks designed especially for them, at WSA sponsored camps. The camps are busy, happy and enriching places with many activities and specialized programs. Scroll down for specific camp links and the scholarship application.
Camp Blue Skies: March 6 - 10, 2023
Ages 21 and older
Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA
5-day/4-night overnight camp for adults (21+) with Williams syndrome provides the opportunity to make friends, acquire new skills, and experience the traditional aspects of camp culture – field games, arts and crafts, fishing, canoeing, hiking, team building, along with music programming – in the safe and friendly environment of Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA. Campers must be physically mobile and have independent and daily living skills. Please visit their website for more information.
Whispering Trails Therapeutic Camp Experience: July 30 - August 3, 2023
Ages 6-12
Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA
Therapy Camp is a 5 day/4night program designed for individuals with WS ages 6-12. Campers attend camp with one parent and stay together in cabins with other campers & their parents.
Throughout the week, campers will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of programming led by both WSA and campsite staff.
During the day, campers will take part in various sessions led by our trained therapists (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, & music therapy). These sessions will demonstrate best practices for working with young individuals with WS. Campers will also be able to participate in various traditional camp activities, such as archery, biking, boats, cooking, horseback riding, rock wall, swimming, etc.
In the evenings, campers will have the opportunity to perform for their peers, or just help cheer them on! And of course, we will have campfires, s’mores, and lots of music!
Whispering Trails Teen Camp Experience: July 30 - August 4, 2023
Ages 13-20
Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA
Teen Camp is a 6 day/5 night program designed for individuals with WS ages 13-20. Campers attend camp without a parent and stay together in cabins with other campers & counselors.
Throughout the week, campers will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of programming led by both WSA and campsite staff.
The daytime is broken down into scheduled blocks and activity periods. These can involve activities such as art, band, chorus, dance, drama, musical theatre, small musical groups, and rec games. Other traditional camp activities such as archery, biking, boats, cooking, horseback riding, rock wall, swimming, etc. will be scheduled for all campers together with their cabins.
In the evenings, campers will have plenty of opportunities to share in performances with their peers, cheer each other on, hang out by the campfire, eat s’mores, and make lots of music!
The end of the week culminates in a show put on and led by our campers! This is their opportunity to share and show off what they have been working on all week!
SCHOLARSHIPS
Due to the generous support of committed members of the WSA community, we have scholarships funds available for our 2023 Whispering Trails Therapeutic and Teen Enrichment Summer Camps. The maximum award to offset the cost of camp is up to $750 per awardee. In order to apply for 2023 camp funding, you must:
- Experience Williams syndrome & be between the ages of 6 and 20
- Ages 6-12 will need to be able to attend with a caregiver (no cost for the caregiver)
- Ages 13-20 will need to be able attend independently
- Be a current WSA member (membership is complimentary) Join or renew your membership now
- Have financial need*
*For purposes of these scholarships, financial need means being under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For example, Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of 4 is and income of $30,000/year. Therefore, 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for a family of 4 in the 48 contiguous states is an annual income of less than $60,000. If your family meets this criteria, please feel free to apply! Documentation of financial need is not required for application submission but may be requested during the WSA's annual audit.
2023 Whispering Trails Scholarship applications will be accepted May 1 - 30, 2023. Scholarships will be announced and awarded by June 15, 2023. To apply for a 2023 Whispering Trails Summer Camp scholarship, use the applicable button above to register for camp. The link to apply for a scholarship will be provided during the registration process.
WORK OR VOLUNTEER AT ONE OF OUR CAMPS
The Williams Syndrome Association only accepts applications to work at our camps. For volunteering and working at the non-WSA camps, visit their websites directly.
For all positions at Whispering Trails Music Camp, click the button below to apply.
NOTE: 1) This link is for all staffing positions, including ALL staff & Counselor-in-Training (CIT)/Junior Counselors*; 2) Before applying for any staffing position, you will first need to make an account.
*We are no longer accepting CIT/Junior Counselor applications for 2023 Summer Camp.
ACM Lifting Lives Camp
Ages 18 and older
June each year at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Find more information, review the site linked below. Please direct any other questions about the camp to wsmusiccamp@vanderbilt.edu.