“Riding on the Crest of Change”:
FREE Family Camp Respite Retreats

These free Family Camp Respite Retreats are for individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) and their families.  Family Camp Respite Retreat dates are reserved for families with a Family Camp Voucher from Lifespan Respite WA. (see how to apply for a voucher below).

Priority will be given to families with family members who identify as Black/African American, Hispanic, American Indian/Native-American/Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian, or Two or more races.

The camps are free because Lifespan Respite WA received a grant from the Dan Thompson Account.

The camps are offered due to the determination of the late Dan Thompson-a young man with Down Syndrome – and his family. He and his family “rode on the crest of change,” and fought for his right to be valued, belong, and be included in all aspects of life in the same ways that a non-disabled person would. The Dan Thompson Account is one of Dan’s many legacies and is funding this Family Camp Respite Retreat program. 

What is a Family Camp Respite Retreat?
Family camps are for families rather than individual campers. A “respite retreat” camp is when family members who usually take care of a family member with a disability can take breaks during the camp, while the person with a disability (the “camper”) goes to group activities supported by trained staff. Staff may be assigned 1:1 or 1:2 or 1:3 to campers based on what a camper needs to enjoy a particular activity.

Camps which host family respite camps/retreats offer all the usual activities you’d find at a day or overnight camp. Camps decide which activities may be available based on weather and on campers’ supports. Family members are free to join activities along with their family member with I/DD, do an activity on their own, or use camper activity time for respite while enjoying camp amenities. Siblings who meet camp age limit requirements are free to take part in activities without adult family members, and to either join an activity with their sibling with I/DD or on their own. Possible activities include:

Frequently Asked Questions and Important Facts

Which families are eligible?

• You, or someone else in your family, must care for a person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (I/DD)
• You and the family member with I/DD must live in Washington State.

Families who get priority: Priority will be given to families with family members who identify as Black/African American, Hispanic, American Indian/Native-American/Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian, or Two or more races.

Who is a “family member”? We define families broadly and understand families come in many different variations, including people who are not formally related to each other, such as a very good friend, a neighbor, or someone considered a relative in your culture. All are welcome and any can be invited. If the camp can’t fit everyone you would like to attend, we’ll contact you to work that out.

Both camps have age limits on who can come to camp. Limits are based on camp policies, which are based on staffing and licensing requirements. 

Camp Beausite: Age 6 and above may attend camp
Camp Stand By Me: Age 7 and above may attend camp

Locations, camp website links, dates:

Camp Beausite NW: 510 Beausite Lake Road, Chimacum, WA 98325 

#1 Friday-Sunday, January 31-February 2, 2025  

 #2 Friday-Sunday, March 7-March 9, 2025

EasterSeals Camp Stand By Me 17809 S Vaughn Rd NW, Key Center, WA 98394

 #3 Friday-Sunday, June 13th-June 15th, 2025

How Do We Apply for a Family Camp Voucher?

• Think about the camp locations, dates, and other factors. Decide which camps and camp dates will work best for your family
• Fill and submit the online application. Filling out the application does not guarantee selection for a voucher.
• Selection decisions are based on:
  • Eligibility
  • Prioritized families
  • Camp lodging and staffing limitations
  • Dates of camps

Camp space is limited!! We will keep all applications on file. If you are not placed in a camp, and there are cancellations, we will contact families by email to see if you are able to participate in that camp. We will fill empty camp spots based on 1) how much space is available and 2) the date and time of your email response.

When will we be notified if we are selected for a family camp voucher? How do we register?

Notification that you have received a voucher to allow you to register for one of these reserved family camps will begin in November 2024 and continue periodically until all camps are filled.

Once you are notified, your next step is registration, so camps can collect the information they need about your family member with I/DD and other family members planning to attend. Your notification email will have a link to sign up for these reserved camp dates. Do NOT register on these camp’s “regular” registration pages. Your family camp voucher is only good for these reserved camps.

Your email notification will have your family camp voucher approval letter attached. You will be asked to upload or email the voucher approval document to the camp when you register.

Will There be a Wait List? Yes. The camps will try to place families in their earliest selected camp. Once a camp fills up, families who have a voucher but did not get into the earlier camp will be given a choice of joining a waitlist for the camp with the earlier date, or pre-registering for a later camp.

What happens if we need to cancel? If there are other camps with openings, we will try to place you in a different camp. If the camp is in a different location, you will have to register again to give the new camp the information they need to support your family member with I/DD, and confirm lodging.

If you cannot attend any of the camps, or decide that the camp experience is not for your family, we will reclaim your camp voucher and use it to assist a family on the waitlist.

If you can’t make either or any camp date but would still like to go to a family camp weekend–please contact us at getrespite@wapave.org and put “alternate camp” in the subject line.