WSA Camp for Teens and Kids

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.

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.

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.

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 

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.