1. First, fill out our camper application.

2. Submit your refundable $150 deposit (the link is at the end of the camper application).

3. Schedule your camper interview. This is a time for the Camp Brightside Director and DSAA Executive Director to meet your new camper applicant or connect with your returning camper applicant. These interviews will be in person in January. 

4. After the interview, you will be notified about acceptance.

5. If accepted, you will receive an email to submit the remaining amount due for camper registration.

6. If not accepted, a full refund of your $150 will be completed.

Who is Eligible for Camp Brightside? 

Camp Brightside is designed for individuals with Down syndrome. The following are eligibility requirements: 

✔ Campers must be between 14-22 years old

✔ Campers must be willing to stay with a group at camp, adapt to group living routines, and participate in high-energy outdoor camp activities, with possible exposure to high heat. 

✔ Campers must have no aggressive or threatening behaviors toward other individuals at camp. 

✔ Campers must be able to communicate ‘yes’ or ‘no’ consistently to counselors at camp through words, gestures, signs, or a communication device. 

✔ Campers must be in good health and show no signs of communicable disease or open wounds. 

✔ Campers should be toilet-trained and only need assistance with toileting (transfers, hygiene, clothes, reminders, catheters). Campers in diapers for occasional accidents can be managed, but frequent changes cannot be accommodated. 

Sleep away camp is not the right fit for every child. Through the process of an interview and application review, the Camp Brightside Director will determine if camp is the right fit for your child.

Yes, this camp is only for individuals with a Down syndrome diagnosis.

Yes! Campers will be dropped off on Sunday and picked up Friday.

There will be 3 campers to every 1 counselor.

Campers will be grouped by age and gender. For example, there will be an 18-year-old boys' group and an 18-year-old girls’ group. Their group will be their bunkmates, and they will travel throughout their camp day together.

The day starts with camp-wide breakfast in the dining hall then cabins have a couple of activities ranging from arts and crafts to boating.

Around noon is camp-wide lunch again in the dining hall and followed by a rest hour. After resting, cabins have more activities with snack time.

Dinner is camp-wide and after dinner, there is an evening activity. Evening activities could include a talent show, a camp dance, or a bonfire. After the evening activity, groups go back to their cabins and get ready for bed and another amazing day at camp!

Campers will sleep with the same group they are with throughout the day (by gender and age). The 3:1 staff ratio applies to the Cabin group as well.

Cabins are climate-controlled, and include en-suite sinks, individual shower stalls, and bathroom stalls.

Camp includes 3 meals a day plus a snack. All Camp Brightside groups eat together at the same time in the Dining Hall for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each cabin group has their own table and food is served family-style (on the table, not buffet).

Camp Twin Lakes kitchen staff can accommodate specific dietary needs: gluten free, dairy free, nut free, vegetarian, no pork, etc.

You will have the opportunity in the camp application to indicate if your child has food allergies or restrictions.

Activities are subject to shift/change based on weather and availability:

• Zero-entry pool and waterslide

• Lake-based activities: paddle boats, paddle boards and fishing from the dock

• Ropes activities (ex. Zipline, climbing wall)

• Art & crafts

• Gymnasium with full basketball court

• Outdoor sports like tennis, baseball, soccer

• Archery and mini-golf

• Drama

• Nature Hut and nature trails

• Vegetable and animal farm

Yes, there are medical staff available 24/7 at an on-site medical lodge for campers that need medical attention. We are happy to discuss any medical needs for your camper.

Fill out the application and a Camp Brightside staff member will follow up with you to complete an interview. This interview will ensure Camp Brightside is the right fit for your camper.

Once approved, full payment will be due by May 1st, 2025, and can be paid in installments if needed.

After our first two years of camp, we raised the minimum age to 14 years old based on camper and staff needs.