Whispering Trails Camp 2025!

Registration is Live!

Get ready for an unforgettable week at Whispering Trails Camp, happening May 25th–30th at Camp Will-A-Way in Winder, GA!

Here’s everything you need to know:  

  • Registration closes April 30th.

  • Scholarship Applications close April 15th.

  • Staffing Applications are available —join the fun and make a difference!

 

This years theme is "Under the Big Top!" Stay tuned for details on our Silly Circus!

WSA Teen Camp

Teen Camp Experience

Ages 13-20
Camp Will-A-Way in Winder, GA

Teen Camp is a 6 day/5 night program designed for individuals with WS ages 13-20.  Campers attend camp independently and stay together in cabins with other campers & counselors. 

Campers, grouped by their cabins, will join summer camp activities like recreation, art, archery, biking, boats, rock wall, swimming, and more. Each camper will also have the opportunity to choose a WSA curated music class. In the evenings, there will be campfires, s’mores, and a camp-wide dance party!!

Registration Cost: $750 per camper

Once your registration is complete, within 3 business days, you will receive an invoice from the WSA with information about installment plans, add-ons, and a link to payment.

For campers over the age of 18, you will also receive a link to fill out information to complete a background check.

REGISTER FOR TEEN CAMP!

WSA Kids Camp

Kid Camp Experience

Ages 6-12
Camp Will-A-Way in Winder, GA

Kid's Camp is a 6 day/5 night program designed for individuals with WS ages 6-12. Campers attend camp with one parent or caregiver and stay together in cabins with other campers & their parents. 

During the day, campers and their parents will participate in summer camp activities like archery, biking, boats, rock wall, swimming and more. There will be trained therapists and certified staff to work with campers and their parents on using proven therapy techniques they can take home and use in their community. In the evenings, there will be campfires, s’mores, and a camp-wide dance party!!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible camp experience. Go to williams-syndrome.org/camps for more details, and we’ll see you at Whispering Trails! 

Registration Cost: $750 total for camper and 1 parent

Once your registration is complete, within 3 business days, you will receive an invoice from the WSA with information about installment plans, add-ons, and a link to payment.

For parent/caregivers over the age of 18, you will also receive a link to fill out information to complete a background check.

REGISTER FOR KIDS CAMP!

Transportation

Parking is available on-site for those traveling by car. For those flying in to ATL, we will have a shuttle available from the airport to the campground for $100 per person round trip, or $50 per person for a single trip. If you plan to take the shuttle, please indicate on your registration, or contact summercamp@williams-syndrome.org before booking your flights.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Due to the generous support of committed members of the WSA community, we had scholarships funds available for our 2025 WSA Teen and Kid Camp Experiences. The maximum award to offset the cost of camp is up to $750 per awardee. In order to apply for 2025 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 an income of $31,200/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 $62,400. 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. 

2025 Whispering Trails Scholarship applications will be accepted March 4th to April 15th. 

APPLY FOR A CAMP SCHOLARSHIP

WSA Camp Staff Needed!

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.

Staff Needed: Certified Professionals, Counselors, CIT's, and Jr. Counselors

Licensed/Certified Professionals: Certified Professionals will utilize their therapeutic knowledge to help support our campers in a way that will help them enjoy camp to the fullest and gain tools to apply in their everyday life. Outside of groups, they will engage in all camp activities and may be asked to facilitate other programming - leading activities, supporting music activities, and leading campfire songs. We are interested in hiring individuals with one of the following licenses and/or certifications: Adaptive Physical Educator, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Intervention Specialist, Music Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Recreational Therapist, or Speech Therapist. Experience working with individuals with Williams Syndrome is preferred, but all applicants will be considered. 

Senior Counselors: Senior Counselors fulfill all regular counselor duties but are usually considered veteran counselors, having significant experience with both the disability community and providing individualized supports to diverse individuals. These counselors are generally returning counselors and most often siblings of a person with WS or professionals in the disability community.

Want to come to camp as a volunteer?

We are seeking volunteer counselors for both Camp Programs! Counselors are the heart of camp and support campers in their activities! If you are interested in volunteering at camp, please apply below!

Volunteer Counselors: Counselors support all programming as scheduled. During special events, like evening programming, these counselors are essential for camper supervision and “crowd control”. Counselors often have the best opportunity to make camp magic happen, building deep connections with their cabins and helping campers feel at home. They are actively involved in facilitating cabin life and supporting all camper needs. 

Jr. Counselors: Junior Counselors are individuals who love someone or are a sibling of someone with WS. They are still learning the full responsibility of a camp counselor. They are not left alone with campers, but are responsible for supporting camper needs and supporting the success of all activities. 

Counselors in Training: Counselors-in-Training are individuals who are still learning the full responsibility of a camp counselor. They are not left alone with campers, but are responsible for supporting camper needs and supporting the success of all activities. In order to apply to be a Counselor in Training, you must: 

  • Be diagnosed with Williams syndrome and have previously attended Whispering Trails Camp Programs
  • Be at least 23 years old and graduated from camp 2 or more years ago
  • Be able to independently manage your personal care and follow a daily schedule
  • Have previous volunteer or job experience 

APPLY FOR A STAFF POSITION

Why is camp different from previous years?

In November 2024, our partners at Camp Twin Lakes shared a few changes that impact our 2025 summer camp session:

  • Camp Twin Lakes will be hosting us at a different location - Camp Will-A-Way in Winder, GA. It’s about the same distance from the Atlanta airport, and close to Athens, GA. It is a more established campground with more trees and character, but all cabins and amenities have been updated to meet current needs and regulations.
  • Our camp week has been moved up to May 25 - 30, 2025. We know this means some kids and teens may still be in school, but it will allow others who were already back in school at the beginning of August to join us this summer. While we’ll miss the end-of-summer get together, the earlier dates bring cooler weather and fresh possibilities for outdoor fun. 

We know change can be tricky—especially with a less planning time and some shifts in staff availability—but skipping camp? That’s simply NOT an option for the WSA! Camp is where lifelong friendships bloom, confidence soars, and parents get some respite knowing their kids are safe, happy, and thriving. It’s a launchpad for growth, autonomy, and connection. It’s where kids become more independent, teens discover lifelong passions, and parents get the gift of knowing their children are thriving in a supportive, inclusive environment. 

 This year, we’re leaning into classic camp adventures—think boating, fishing, rock wall climbing, zip-lining, and spending time with the animals at the farm! While some of the therapy-focused programming and organized music sessions will take a step back, the focus will be on fun, exploration, and independence-building activities - with therapeutic support and music built in!

Campers will still experience the camp spirit and programming they’ve come to love, but this summer we’ll integrate the Camp Twin Lakes’ team to deliver even more exciting activities and unforgettable moments.

Moving Forward in the Future

As we continue thinking about camp, we’ll begin exploring our options for the future to see if there are other camps in other locations that:

  • Offers a week where more campers could attend
  • Is more centrally located
  • Costs less to rent
  • Would allow us to potentially host weekend family camps in the spring and fall

If you know of camps that we should consider or have questions about camp this summer, please email us at summercamp@williams-syndrome.org.