CHATHAM COUNTY, GA — The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) will host its 16th annual Camp Buddy for Chatham County from Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11, 2025, at St. Andrew’s School, located at 601 Penn Waller Rd. on Wilmington Island.
Camp Buddy is open to children of all ages with Down syndrome and is designed to reinforce academic and developmental skills in a fun, engaging environment. The camp’s unique curriculum is tailored to help students retain what they learned during the school year while also preparing them for the upcoming academic term.
Each day, campers participate in a wide range of hands-on activities including cooking, art, crafts, life skills lessons, physical and occupational therapy, and money and time management exercises. These experiences are aimed at enhancing real-world skills in a supportive and playful setting.
For example, cooking sessions emphasize kitchen safety and following step-by-step instructions to reach a goal, while money and time management activities help campers grasp essential routines and financial awareness. Arts and crafts support fine motor skill development, and physical therapy sessions—such as scooter board rides—promote core strength and muscle coordination.
Now in its 16th year, Camp Buddy has provided hundreds of local children with Down syndrome a summer experience that blends learning and fun. The camp’s curriculum is developed and led by certified special education instructors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Therapy sessions are seamlessly woven into games and group activities, helping to build communication, mobility, and social interaction skills.
In addition to academic and developmental enrichment, Camp Buddy places a strong emphasis on wellness and community involvement, offering campers a holistic summer experience.
Camp Buddy is made possible thanks to the continued support of generous community partners, families, and LDSS fundraising events such as the Buddy Walk and Night of Champions. A separate Camp Buddy session for Effingham County is held in June.
To learn more about LDSS and its programs, visit www.ldssga.org.
To register for Camp Buddy Chatham County, please visit:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQ1Li7CUrKfQImyz2U3qvPC4tN0hmgVOiLyzvTAMRPGUrs-w/viewform
ABOUT THE LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY
The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) supports people with Down syndrome and their families through local leadership, support, outreach, education and advocacy. Please check for Family Support meeting dates and all other LDSS activities in their live calendar at LDSSGA.org. LDSS is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society.
CONTACT
Pam Hussey
pbjhussey@gmail.com
Event Contact:
Lindsey Barron, Administrative Assistant
Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society
lbarron@ldssga.org
229-457-7974
Contact
Candy Bogardus (President)
Cell: 912-663-8573
Fax: 912-728-5247
cbogardus@ldssga.org
Media Contact
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations, Inc.
912-844-9990
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com