I got the opportunity to be a kid for a day at attend the 4th annual #CampFest by Camp Twin Lakes Y’ALL . Camp Twin Lakes Y’ALL (Young Atlanta Leadership League) throw several social events and fundraising events to bring awareness about Camp Twin Lakes. For more than 20 years, Camp Twin Lakes has provided life-changing camp experiences to thousands of Georgia’s children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges.
Camp Twin Lakes Y’ALL did a great job with #CampFest as they had several activities that made you feel like you were a kid getting sent away to summer camp again. Who said summer camp had to end at childhood?
The VIP lounge was awesome as it was an All you can eat Burger & Fries booth sponsored by Shake Shack. I love Shake Shack so much that I got my food…and bad blogger me I ate it all before I capture a picture. Sorry – but check below and see the S’more Ice Cream bowls I ate later on in the evening! Delish!
The event really paid attention to details as they had cute little signage to give you the feel as if you were at a real camping ground. So many actitives and things to do.
Since this was an adult event, it wasnt apple cider that many of us were drinking by the campfire. This is an adult Camp Fest…so we had beer and cocktails! This was hosted at the famous Sweetwater Brewery so it was only right there was an open bar for drinks. Not only was it an open bar, but you got to keep the #CampFest cup so that was a cute touch. Thanks!
Now what are camps usually known for? You cant have a camping experience without S’MORES! There was a DIY innovative s’more bar where it was an indoor s’more roasting station with your choice of candy bars to make your own custom S’more. Dangerous (as far as my greediness).
My custom s’more treat consist of White Chocolate Hershey Bar instead of traditional with graham cracker and marshmallows.
S’More Ice Cream custom made by Shake Shack
You thought I was done with the S’more…nope! I am here to show you S’more (I am super corny)! I didn’t get to show you the Shake Shack Burger and Fries (I was so greedy – again I apologies for not sharing visually), but here is the amazing S’more ice cream they created. I hope these are at their actual locations too because if they are…YOU MUST GET THIS. As a shake!
Fun with my +1 Nina!
Usually when I go to themed interactive event like this, I know I can always count on my friend Nina! She is the life of any party like me and knows how to have fun. Of course we crash every photo booth and take festive pictures. As I say many times, whats a great party without a photobooth?
Does it look like we went to Camp for real?
Camp Twin Lakes collaborates with nearly 60 different nonprofit organizations, each serving a different population, to create customized programs that teach campers to overcome obstacles and grow in their confidence and capabilities. Annually, Camp Twin Lakes serves more than 9,900 campers, leverages support from 3,500 volunteers, and subsidizes 80% of the direct camp costs ($800) for every camper served.
Prior to Camp Twin Lakes’ opening in 1993, special needs groups in Georgia lacked adequate facilities to hold their camp programs. Today, Camp Twin Lakes partners with these organizations to provide high quality, fully-accessible recreational activities in a medically supportive environment. Camp programs are customized for each group of campers.
Since its opening, Camp Twin Lakes has welcomed more than 100,000 children and volunteers. I have an autistic brother so this non-profit really touched my heart. Its great to know that in GA, they have programs with children with special needs that deserve to have fun and go to camp as well. We sometimes take for granted the privileges we have, but the children with special needs can know they have access to such a fun place where they can experience camp and adventure catered just for them
I was honored to attend this event and learn more about Camp Twin Lakes. I was privileged as a child to be able to go to summer camp at 11 and 12…but many children may not know they have the option to go if they have a disability. I am seriously going to look into seeing if my autistic brother will have an opportunity to attend Camp Twin Lakes next year. If you are in GA and know a family with children/young adults with special needs Camp Twin Lakes is the place for them. If you are also interested in volunteering and being apart of the Camp Twin Lakes Y’ALL committee there are openings for that as well.
Kiwi is the free spirited blogger and content creator of KiwiTheBeauty.com. As a digital influencer, she produces creative inspiration around beauty, lifestyle, media and travel leisure. Her life mantra is to make manifesting fun! When she’s not blogging, she is eating trendy hipster food, carrying crystals, making it rain at her local farmer's market and binge brunching.
Follow her on her blog and social media at kiwithebeauty.com + @kiwithebeauty
This sounds like it was really fun. My oldest son used to camp a lot in boy scouts and every once in a while, he would drag me along with him. I always gave him a hard time about it but I actually enjoyed it every time.
The Campfest at Camp Twin Lakes looks like a fun place to be. I love that the even organizers encouraged the re-use of glasses. Great reminder for us to care for our environment.
First of all your pics are EVERYTHING! And second of all what a fun experience and a great way to share the beauty of camp. Also shake shack and s’mores are never a bad idea! Looks like you had a fabulous time!
Wow!!! That looks like sosss much fun. I have never been to camp or camping, so this looks like something that I would be interested in attending. I’m all for learning to overcome obstacles in my life!!!
I never went to a camp as a kid but there is an adult camp weekend coming to Nashville I’ve been thinking about attending. It’s for adults who didn’t go to camp as a kid. Great post!
Oh wow, that place definitely would make me feel like an awesome kid with a cool world out there to explore. Good food, music, it’s more amazing with the fact that camps like this happen almost everywhere all the time and for a good cause!
My son goes to a boarding school so he attends camp regularly. But my nephew is autistic and has not had the opportunity to attend. I think my sister would have 8 heart attacks just thinking about sending him away overnight for more than a day. But I am glad that places like this exist so all children have the opportunity to have outdoor recreational fun that isn’t therapy or skill related. Kids just want to have fun. Even those with a disability.
This is really good to know because I work with children with special needs in Atlanta and I didn’t know about this camp. Parents are always asking so I will definitely pass on the info! Looks like you guys had a great time and ate well too lol!
Wow. This event looks so fun! I didn’t go camping as a kid, but I would definitely do this as an adult. The food and decor look awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Shake Shack? OMG I Love me some Shake Shack!!!! Sounds like a fun event 🙂
Looks like a really fun event! I like that you got to keep the #Campfest cup. That’s a nice touch.
AHHH! I want to go to Camp Twin Lakes just for the S’Mores. Om nom nom.
This sounds like it was really fun. My oldest son used to camp a lot in boy scouts and every once in a while, he would drag me along with him. I always gave him a hard time about it but I actually enjoyed it every time.
The Campfest at Camp Twin Lakes looks like a fun place to be. I love that the even organizers encouraged the re-use of glasses. Great reminder for us to care for our environment.
This looks like such a fun event. I’m sure you had a great time.
This sounds like such a fun event! I’ve never heard of Twin Lakes but I would love to go!
First of all your pics are EVERYTHING! And second of all what a fun experience and a great way to share the beauty of camp. Also shake shack and s’mores are never a bad idea! Looks like you had a fabulous time!
This looks so fun! What a great idea!!
This looks like a blast! I’ve never went to camp but this looks like an event that would make me feel as if I’ve gone! How fun!
Wow!!! That looks like sosss much fun. I have never been to camp or camping, so this looks like something that I would be interested in attending. I’m all for learning to overcome obstacles in my life!!!
This seemed like a fun event!! I seriously need to get to Atlanta and try out Shake Shack. I’ve heard so much about them!
Camp was always life-changing for me and I love this concept. Good for the organization and its love for kids!
Aw, looks like you had fun. Shake Shack is so good. They just opened one here and I really need to go back and get s’more. 😉
I never went to a camp as a kid but there is an adult camp weekend coming to Nashville I’ve been thinking about attending. It’s for adults who didn’t go to camp as a kid. Great post!
OMG that looks like it was so fun!! I would love to go to something like this!
Looks like a fabulous fun event. I love that children with disabilities get to have a wonderful camp experience. This is just an amazing idea.
Oh wow, that place definitely would make me feel like an awesome kid with a cool world out there to explore. Good food, music, it’s more amazing with the fact that camps like this happen almost everywhere all the time and for a good cause!
This looks so fun. I really love the idea, Glad you share this
This looked like fun, especially with Shake Shack there.
This sounds like a fun and successful publicity event for the camp. Glad you had fun.
P.S. now I want a burger and fries. Lol
My son goes to a boarding school so he attends camp regularly. But my nephew is autistic and has not had the opportunity to attend. I think my sister would have 8 heart attacks just thinking about sending him away overnight for more than a day. But I am glad that places like this exist so all children have the opportunity to have outdoor recreational fun that isn’t therapy or skill related. Kids just want to have fun. Even those with a disability.
I love great events for a great cause and this definitely sounds like one of them! Any event with smores is a good one in my mind LOL.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
This is really amazing! I love the theme for the event, and I love the cause even more. I loved summer camp as a kid.
I love everything about this event. I’ve only been to camp once as a child. I wish I had tried to enjoy it a bit more than I actually did.
I would love a do-over at an adult camp experience. lol
This is really good to know because I work with children with special needs in Atlanta and I didn’t know about this camp. Parents are always asking so I will definitely pass on the info! Looks like you guys had a great time and ate well too lol!
Wow. This event looks so fun! I didn’t go camping as a kid, but I would definitely do this as an adult. The food and decor look awesome. Thanks for sharing.