Join us at hope heals retreat!

Hope Heals Retreat is a weekend of respite, resourcing, and relaxation for families affected by disabilities. We holistically serve every member of a family unit, so we build our programming around the unique needs, abilities, and ages of every participant. Adults 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 adventure experiences. Kids age 3 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 lifelong friendships with other campers and volunteers.

Each camper with a disability can opt to be paired with a Compassionate Companion (CC)—a new friend to serve as a helper, encourager, and buddy throughout the weekend. All children 8 and under (with or without disabilities) will also be paired with a CC, so camper parents and caregivers can rest easy and be fully present during their own programming.

Hope Heals Retreat exists to serve individuals and entire families affected by disability. If you or your family member have a disability of any kind, you are invited to apply as a camper. Eligible applicants include:

• families with a child with disabilities

• families with a parent with disabilities,

• a couple with a spouse with disabilities

• an individual with disabilities accompanied by a friend or family member who is the main point person to aid in their special needs

Please note that a camper with disabilities MUST be accompanied by a friend or family member for the full duration of the Retreat weekend. We are not able to serve campers with significant psychiatric disabilities or campers who have posed physical danger to themselves or others in the recent past.

Yes! Young children (with or without disabilities) are welcomed to attend with their families. Preschoolers (birth to 3 years) are placed in a nursery setting for lots of play and easy nap time coordination.

Absolutely! If you require the assistance of an additional caregiver or nurse, we are happy to accommodate that request. It’s important to note that caregivers and nurses will be lodged in the same room as your family at Retreat. Because of limited lodging capacity and high demand, we ask that you only bring additional caregivers and nurses if absolutely necessary.

Please include caregivers and nurses on your family application.

Absolutely! If a member of your family would like to serve at Hope Heals Retreat, they can indicate that preference by applying as a volunteer. To learn more about what it looks like to serve at Retreat, visit our Volunteer Info Page.

Please note, anyone who applies as a volunteer will be asked to pay or fundraise a tuition to attend Camp.

Our Compassionate Companions (CCs) serve as your loved one's buddy at Retreat and will accompany your camper to programming and free-time activities. CCs are not responsible for any medical care or toileting. CCs will be paired with campers based on age and gender. All CCs are over 18 have been vetted through an application process and background check. We understand that all campers have unique situations and some may not desire to be paired with a companion.

All campers attend Hope Heals Retreat for FREE! You are only responsible for the cost of travel to and from Retreat. We ask that camper applicants pay a $10 application fee per person to secure their spot. It will be refunded if we are unable to offer you a spot at Retreat.

Applications will be available here from August 28 through September 28, 2023. You must submit the full application for each family member and pay the application fee ($10 per person) to be considered for a spot at Retreat. All applicants will be notified on October 6 about whether they have a spot at Retreat or have been put on the waitlist.

Hope Heals Retreat takes place at Camp Twin Lakes, a brand new, fully accessible retreat center in Rutledge, GA. Campers will sleep in air-conditioned cabins with a mix of double and twin beds. All camper families will room together.

Wifi is available in all main buildings at Camp Twin Lakes.

Certified service animals are welcome to attend Hope Heals Retreat. We want our campers to have what (and who) they need to succeed! All other pets need to stay home. You can FaceTime them.

You are fully responsible for the care and management of your service animal. They must wear an identifying vest or harness at all times, and should never be left unattended. If any damage is caused to camp property or the property of another participant, you will be solely liable for picking up the tab and making things right.

The camp facility serves delicious food and is able to accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan diets.

We’re thrilled that the camp facilities include a distinct Celiac’s kitchen, so we can guarantee no cross-contamination for our gluten-free friends!

Yes. Each camper with disability is paired with a Compassionate Companion (CC) who will act as a friend and helper throughout the weekend, but CCs are NOT responsible for any medical, toileting, or transfer needs of the campers. Parents, spouses, and family members of campers are responsible for all medical, toileting, and transfer needs.

A small Medical Crew of registered nurses, physical therapists, and/or physicians will be present at Retreat. These medical professionals will only treat minor illness and injuries. If a camper requires urgent medical attention, emergency services will be contacted.

Airport: The nearest airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), which is about an hour west of Camp Twin Lakes

Address: Camp Twin Lakes, 1391 Keencheefoonee Rd, Rutledge, GA 30663

Transportation: We aren’t able to arrange individual airport transportation, but we’d bet our lunch money that someone in the Hope Heals Camp Facebook Group would love to give you a lift. Renting a car, or hiring an Uber or Lyft are options, as well!

All campers are responsible for their transportation to and from Hope Heals Retreat.

• Comfortable clothes for (potentially) chilly weather

• Comfortable shoes

• Rain jacket or umbrella

• Prescription medication and medical devices

• Special food or snacks

• Wheelchair and/or walker

• Stroller for small children

• Bible, notebook, and pen

• Toiletries

• Cameras, phones, and chargers

• Pack-n-Play or cot for small children

Campers will arrive at Retreat between 4:30 and 6 PM ET on Friday, November 10. Retreat will end by 2 PM ET on Sunday, November 12.