Camp Brightside:
Become a Staff Member
Camp Brightside is a weeklong sleepaway camp for individuals ages 14-22 with Down Syndrome. Camp is run in collaboration with Camp Twin Lakes at their Rutledge, GA location. Camp Twin Lakes is a network of camps providing transformative camps for children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges. This week of camp gives campers an opportunity to experience traditional camp activities in a supportive environment!
Various staff positions are open to bring this amazing and impactful experience to our campers. Find more details about these positions on this page and fill out an application. Once your application is received, our Camp Director will contact you.
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Email us at campbrightside@dsaatl.org
Camp BrightSide 2026 is July 4th-10th, 2026
Dates
July 4th-10th, 2026
Location
Camp Twin Lakes, Rutledge, GA
More FAQs
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Must be 18 years old or older.
Commit to the whole week of camp
Pass a background check
RESPONSIBILITIES
Arrive at camp one day early for staff training.
Stay with an assigned cabin group for the week of camp, including sleeping in the cabins together, eating meals together, and going to activities during the day
Cabin counselors are NOT responsible for facilitating programs/ activities.
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Requirements:
-High school student 14-17 years old
-Commit to the whole week of camp
Responsibilities
-Arrive at camp one day early to complete staff training
-Support cabin groups during meals, activities, etc.
-Counselors in Training do NOT sleep in the cabins with campers but instead sleep in a communal staff cabin.
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Day of training on prior to camp
All meals will be provided
Air-conditioned cabin with attached bathrooms and showers
A lifetime of incredible memories shared with incredible campers!
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There will be 3 campers to every 1 counselor.
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Campers will be grouped by age and gender. For example, there will be a 13 year-old boys group and 13 year-old girls group. Their group will be their bunkmates and they will travel throughout their camp day together.
However, if there is a need a female counselor might go to activities with a male cabin group during the day but will not sleep in the same cabin (and vise versa with male counselors).
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Below is the description for campers. As a counselor, you may have additional activities like a team check-in, etc.
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! -
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
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Yes, you can drive to camp and park your car on the property for the week.
Alternatively, you can be dropped off at camp and picked up via your own arrangements.
Know someone with Down syndrome who would be a good fit for camp? See camper application.
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Adult Resources
DSAA has compiled this list of resources to assist our adult population
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Q+A with Anna Maki
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Event Calendar
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