About Us

Session One:
Youth Campers
June 8th to June 13th, 2024

Session Two:
Adult Campers
June 15th to June 20th, 2024

Camp Big Heart, a 501(c)(3) non-profit operating since 1984, is a unique overnight summer camp offering a broad range of recreational activities to children and adults 8-60 living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD). The program is designed to provide much needed respite for parents who desperately need time to rest and recharge from the stress of caring for their child. Camp Big Heart welcomes participants who fall between the cracks of other medical and special needs camping programs—either their unique diagnosis renders them ineligible, the family fee required is unaffordable or they simply live too far to travel to a camping program that meets their needs. It is recognized as one of the outstanding camps of its kind in the country and serves the entire state of Georgia. Camp Big Heart originated as a special project of the Georgia Civitan District and is still sponsored in great part by Civitan Clubs of Georgia, non-profit service organizations throughout the world with a proud history of serving people with disabilities. The organization is an independent, 501©3 exempt charity that still   maintains its status as a Civitan Club. Camp was awarded 1st Place for Outstanding Service to People with Disabilities by Civitan International in 2018. 

Our mission is to provide the highest quality summer recreational camping experience for Georgia’s developmentally challenged children and adults. Camp Big Heart has a 40-year history of providing safe, affordable, high quality, individualized and group camping programs staffed and supervised by committed and caring volunteer professionals, the majority in the fields of human services and healthcare.

A Day at Camp

We are intentional about creating a fun and rewarding environment for everyone. Click below to read about a typical day at camp!

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Our Goals

  • Have fun!

    • There are countless planned activities and entertainment throughout the week, including pool time, water games, archery, arts & crafts, sports, and many more.
    • Our staff brings the fun. The Camp Big Heart staff is energetic and passionate about camp, so every moment is a possibility to have fun.

  • Celebrate individuality

    • Each camper gets to choose his/her own Discovery activity for the week.
    • Each camper gets a superlative trophy at the end of the week celebrating their contribution to the cabin.

  • Support growth

    • We keep our campers moving! Campers exercise and experience the outdoors.
    • Every cabin goes to six activities throughout the week, where campers try new things and learn new skills.

  • Create friendships

    • Our staff becomes extremely close to each one of the campers in their individual cabins throughout the week.
    • Campers often become best friends with the other campers in their cabin by the end of the week.

  • Encourage giving and helpfulness

    • Every camper is encouraged to help the clean the cabin and tables at mealtimes as their abilities allow.
    • Many of our campers help each other by opening doors, pushing wheelchairs, and helping each other get ready in the morning.

  • Relax

    • Throughout the week, campers enjoy a boat ride, sit back during nightly entertainment, and get a midday rest as a break from the summer sun.
    • Both campers and their parents and caretakers take a break from their normal routine by letting Camp Big Heart plan all of the fun.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Camp Big Heart. I am looking forward, with great anticipation, to sharing an exciting, challenging, and fun-filled camp experience with you. As we strive together to make this an enjoyable, meaningful, and safe experience for all, your ideas and suggestions are welcomed at all times in any phase of camp. Be assured that I am available for help with any problems at all times. Have a great camp.Lucas Brooks, Camp Director