Camp Twitch and Shout to throw a benefit concert featuring local talent

The Randall Bramblett preforms

It’s an exciting week for campers, counselors and staff as July 3 starts the eighth year of Camp Twitch and Shout.

Camp Twitch and Shout is a one-week overnight camp for children ages 8 to 17 who have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. According to the camp’s website, “the camp is organized and managed by T.I.C.S. of Georgia, in partnership with Camp Twin Lakes, and is located at Camp Will-A-Way in Winder.”

Camp Twitch and Shout strives to instill confidence in its campers, said Eli Hill, first year camp director and a 2008 graduate of the University of Georgia. The camp recently created a mission statement that says “Camp Twist and Shout is a place where Tourette’s finds friends and friends inspire possibilities.”

“The aim [of the camp] is to rally our campers resilience, champion independence, promote mindfulness, and nourish pride and self-esteem,” Hill said.

This year the staff members are excited to announce they will be hosting their first ever benefit concert for the camp July 8 at The Foundry in Athens.

“We wanted to capitalize on a big celebration at the end and also welcome the community into that energy,” Hill said.

Randall Bramblett, Rick Fowler Band, Dylan Brady, several camp counselors and other special guests will be performing at the concert.

The idea for a benefit concert came when Rick Fowler came to the camp leaders and offered to do a benefit concert for the camp. The leaders gladly accepted.

Fowler and his band have performed in New York, Washington D.C. and Montreal for Tourette-related organizations. Fowler has Tourette syndrome as does the son of one of his band members.

Fowler contacted both Brady and Bramblett who have helped him in the past with raising money and spreading awareness for Tourette syndrome. Brady also has Tourette syndrome.

“A lot of our kids idolize him,” said Tricia Kardon, the camp health care and nursing coordinator of eight years.

The concert will also include raffle drawings, a live auction, camp merchandise for sale and more.

Some of the auction items include a special-edition guitar donated by Deadwood Guitar Company, a copy of the script cover of season six of The Walking Dead signed by the cast and art work contributed by local artists.

It costs $900 for a camper to attend camp, and many of the families cannot afford to pay the full amount, Kardon said. The camp offers a $500 minimum payment if a family cannot afford the full amount, and the camp subsidizes the rest.

“Just like any nonprofit, we rely on donations,” Kardon said.

Camp Twitch and Shout does not turn away families who need their help but cannot afford it. That is why it is so important for the camp to have sponsors, donations and this benefit concert, so it can continue improving the lives of these children, Kardon said.

“Our goal that we keep coming back to is empowering the kids,” said Cody Weavil, a former camp counsel and current member of the leadership team.

The staff members are hoping to continue holding this benefit concert for many more summers.

The concert is being held July 8. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m., and doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets and table reservations are available on The Foundry website.