Adventure Skills Workshop

Where adventure meets possibility

Camp registration opens Monday, March 17, 2025

Discover a weekend like no other at Shepherd Center’s annual Adventure Skills Workshop (ASW)! Held each spring, this exciting weekend event is your chance to dive into activities you’ve always loved or have always wanted to try — all in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Designed for people with spinal cord injury or disease, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, post-polio syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome, transverse myelitis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ASW is designed to empower and inspire. Whether you are newly injured and attending for the first time or an ASW veteran coming back for more, be assured that you’ll have the opportunity to explore new activities, learn new skills, meet new people, and have fun. We believe you’ll leave with a new outlook on life — seeing every day as an adventure.

What to expect at ASW

ASW takes place each May at Camp ASCCA, an accessible facility on Lake Martin in Jackson’s Gap, Alabama. About 2.5 hours from Atlanta, this setting is equipped with air-conditioned group cabins (with limited private rooms available). Participants receive directions and a detailed information packet. If you require assistance with self-care, mobility, or other needs, be sure to bring a friend or family member to help.

Featured leisure skill instruction

Discover a variety of engaging recreational opportunities at ASW. While some activities may have physical ability requirements, there’s something for everyone to enjoy:

• Water adventures: Water skiing, scuba diving, tubing, jet skiing, swimming, water polo, kayaking, and fishing
• Outdoor challenges: Climbing wall, zipline, skeet shooting, and riflery
• Creative fun: Art and mini golf
• Team sports: Basketball

Experience the joy of adventure

Details for Camp ASW 2025

• Dates: Friday, May 16 – Sunday, May 18, 2025
• Location: Camp ASCCA, Lake Martin, AL
• Registration Deadline: Friday, April 18 (registration may close before the deadline if spaces fill)
• Cost:
  • Participants: $225 (includes meals, lodging, activities, instruction, and a t-shirt)
  • Caregivers: $200 (includes meals, lodging, and a t-shirt)
  • Limited financial assistance is available

Registration details

Please note that each participant must register for themselves. This means:

• The main participant should complete the registration in their CompDoc account using their own email address — not the email address of a caregiver, relative, or friend.
• After registering, accepted participants will receive an email from Shepherd Center with instructions on how their caregivers, relatives, or friends can register separately once accepted.
• Accepted participants will be notified starting March 21, and this process will continue until the camp is at total capacity.
• The registration deadline is Friday, April 18. Space is limited; registration may close before the deadline if spaces fill.

Why is this important?

This process ensures that each participant receives the information they need to fully register for the workshop. Caregivers, relatives, and friends will have their own separate registration process. Thank you for helping us make the registration process smooth for everyone involved with Adventure Skills Workshop!

Participation notes and requirements

• Caregivers/family members under the age of 18 are not allowed.
• If you need any type of personal or mobility assistance, a caregiver or family member will be required. The camp is very large and has different types of terrain environments.
• To participate in water activities, each participant must complete the swim test. The swim test consists of wearing a life jacket and completing the following:
  • Holding your breath for 20 seconds while face-down in the water
  • Rolling over from your stomach to your back
  • Floating on your back, with a lifejacket on, for one minute unassisted (only if you wish to swim unattended in the pool)

Additional accommodations

If you would like accommodations other than the camp’s lodging, you can contact the following area hotels to make your reservations. Please note that no discount on the registration fee will be given if you choose to provide your accommodations outside of Camp ASCCA. Each hotel has limited accessible rooms, so please reserve your room before returning your registration form.

• AmericInn by Wyndham, Alexander City, AL: 256-329-8858
• Days Inn by Wyndham, Alexander City, AL: 256-234-6311
• Quality Inn, Alexander City, AL: 256-234-5900
• Super 8, Alexander City, AL: 256-234-7099

Contact information

For more information, email Kelly Edens at kelly.edens@shepherd.org or call 404-350-7793.