Volunteer Hub
Retreat 2026
Dates & Location
Arrival & Departure
- Location: Camp Twin Lakes West – 1391 Keencheefoonee Rd, Rutledge, GA 30663
- Arrival: Friday, November 6th between 2 and 4 PM Eastern Time
- Departure: Sunday, November 8 around 2 PM
Getting to Camp Twin Lakes
Navigate to Camp Twin Lakes (1391 Keencheefoonee Rd, Rutledge, GA 30663). At the final fork in the road, head toward the WEST campus. (Trust us, they are not expecting you at the East campus.) A member of our team will direct you to the check-in and luggage drop-off. Once you’re checked in, our team will deliver your luggage to your room while you park your car. Please park in the back half of the parking lot so we can reserve those prime, up-close spots for our Campers!
And please, we beg of you, arrive between 2 and 4 PM ET—not earlier, not later. Explore those beautiful country roads for a few minutes if you arrive early.
Attendance Commitment
Remember, when you signed up for Retreat (or when your wife signed you up for Retreat), you committed to being with us the entire time. Because the event is so short, we cannot accommodate any late arrivals or early departures. If you realize you won’t be able to join us from (at least) 4 PM Friday to 2 PM Sunday, email camp@hopeheals.com today.
Fundraising
Your fundraising minimum must be met by October 15. Funds contributed via your unique fundraising link will directly count toward your fundraising minimum. See the step-by-step instructions for a refresher on using the fundraising platform. Click below to get started. It only takes a few minutes to get it set up. ALL Volunteers must set up a fundraising page to participate. If you’d like to contribute to your own fundraising minimum, just donate online to your personal fundraising page. Easy!
If you’d like to pay by check, make it payable to Hope Heals, write your name and ‘Retreat 2026’ in the memo line, and send to:
Hope Heals, PO Box 109543, Atlanta, GA 30348
Make sure all checks are mailed in time to meet the October 15 deadline! We will apply all checks to your fundraising page.
What to Expect
The Volunteer Experience
Hope Heals Retreat will be a weekend of respite, resourcing, and relaxation for families affected by disabilities. We holistically serve every member of a family unit, so our programming is built around the unique needs, abilities, and ages of every participant.
Adults campers will enjoy times of worship, teaching, and small group conversation, while kids and teens dive into hours of fun and accessible recreation, arts and crafts, music, and outdoor adventure experiences. Kids age 2 and under will be cared for in the onsite nursery. In the evenings we’ll celebrate together at some amazing parties, eat a lot of good food, and—most importantly—build real-deal friendships with other campers and volunteers.
Accommodations
Lodging: Hope Heals Retreat takes place at Camp Twin Lakes, a fully accessible retreat center in Rutledge, GA. Volunteers will sleep in air-conditioned (or heated, should the weather require) male or female cabins with twin beds and community bathrooms.
Bedding: Unless you want to sleep on a vinyl-covered camp mattress (yum!), you are responsible for bringing your own linens—twin-sized sheets, a blanket or sleeping bag, a pillow, and bath towels. If you are volunteering with a same-gender family member (like your sister or daughter), you may be assigned to share a double bed. We’ll let you know in advance!
Food: We’ll provide all your meals and snacks…and coffee. So much coffee. The Camp Twin Lakes kitchen can accommodate gluten-free (including Celiac), dairy-free, nut-free, vegetarian, and vegan dietary needs. If you have additional dietary considerations, you can store food in a refrigerator in the Main Office. Space is limited, so take into account that our meals will accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and vegan diets.
Internet Access: WiFi is available in all areas of Camp Twin Lakes. No password required!
Laundry: Laundry facilities are located in the Maker Studio and Medical Clinic. Speak to a Hope Heals staff member before using the machines.
Ways to Serve
You will receive your serving assignment once you arrive at Retreat. (And yes, we know you hate that.) Your time at Hope Heals Retreat may look like serving as a one-on-one companion to our campers, or you might be a part of one of the behind-the-scenes crews. Some of you licensed providers may be placed on Medical Crew, while the nurturers among us might participate as a (lay) pastoral presence. Every assignment is a win.
You’ll be paired up with a person with a disability to act as a friend, encourager, and helper throughout the weekend. CCs may also be paired with a typically-abled child who is a sibling or child of a person with a disability. Typical family members often need as much love and attention as a person with disability.
Our kids and youth programming require a lot of extra hands, so Flexers are extremely valuable in activity facilitation and crowd control.
If you have a flair for hosting, decorating, or event planning, you can use your gifts to on the Hospitality Crew. You’ll facilitate special celebrations and add touches that make our campers feel right at home.
Simply put, you’ll get stuff done around Hope Heals Retreat. Set up and take down of special events, refilling water jugs, golf cart transportation for campers with mobility issues—if a job needs doing, our Logistics Crew makes it happen.
If you’re a registered nurse or physician, you can keep our campers and volunteers happy and healthy by treating minor illnesses and injuries. Medical Crew is not responsible for medical or toileting needs of campers with disabilities.
This team provides assistance with ADLs (Activities for Daily Living) for campers and volunteers who opt in for this service. They exist so that all campers, camper families, and volunteers can get the most out of the retreat experience.
This intimate team of lay people (although actual pastors are welcome!) will act as table hosts during our adult worship gatherings. You’ll also meet throughout the day to intercede for the needs of our Retreat guests.
How can kids and teens serve at Retreat?
Volunteers between the ages of 12 and 16 will serve as Flexers, on one of our behind-the-scenes crews, or as a buddy to a typical sibling.
Volunteer kids under ages 10-11 have the most important role of all: Friend Makers! That means they will hang out in the (super adventurous) kids programming alongside our campers. This is a great way for volunteer kids to be introduced to our culture of mutual ministry because they get to hang out with new friends with disabilities—which is the first and most important step to building our Hope Heals community!
Schedules
Coming soon!
Training
When you arrive at Retreat, we’ll throw you into a fast and furious onsite orientation. Since we’ll have such little time to prepare you in person, it’s critical that you work through our online training resources.
Approx. 60 minutes to complete
Approx. 30 minutes to complete
Packing List
What to bring…
The weather is going to weather, so check the forecast and bring whatever you need to bring to feel prepared. Rain jacket, removable layers, an umbrella, warm socks, whatever.
- Comfortable, casual clothes for (potentially) chilly weather
- Closed-toed walking shoes
- A rain jacket or umbrella (just in case)
- A reusable water bottle
- Prescription medications
- Snacks and/or special diet foods
- Toiletries
- Phones and chargers
- Linens (sheets, sleeping bag or blanket, pillow, and bath towel)
What NOT to bring…
Any item or substance that endangers the well-being of our community is not welcome at Hope Heals Retreat. If you are found to have any of the following items at Hope Heals Retreat, you’ll asked to leave immediately. Here’s what you cannot bring:
- Weapons of any kind
- Firearms, even if you have a license to carry
- Tobacco products and vapes
- Alcohol
- Pornographic materials