Camp Twitch and Shout serves kids with Tourette's

After a day of physical activities, the 10-year-old said she and her friends like to return to their cabins to do and talk "girl stuff."

That's hair, makeup — and Max.

"I have a crush on an 18-year-old. He knows but says we can only be friends," said a smiling Amanda, clad in a football jersey with pink trim.

Such is life at the weeklong camp for youngsters like Amanda, who has Tourette Syndrome.

Camp Twitch and Shout in Winder boasts 50 campers with varying degrees of the neurological disorder known for its involuntary movements and vocal sounds, called tics.

The camp, which started Sunday and runs through Friday, is the first one in Georgia geared to kids with Tourette's. Youngsters have come from as far as New York and California and range in age from 7 to 18.

Activities — from canoeing and kayaking to archery and arts and crafts — are held at the 53-acre Camp Will-A-Way, a new addition to Atlanta-based Camp Twin Lakes. For 17 summers, Camp Twin Lakes has served kids with special needs.

Brad Cohen, a Cobb County educator whose life with Tourette's was chronicled in a television movie in December, is camp director. He's quick to point out that Twitch and Shout is about having fun, not dwelling on the disorder.

"We don't sit around and talk about Tourette's," he said. "This isn't therapy. This isn't a doctor's office. It's not school. We just come here and let them do camp activities ... just be kids."

And by engaging with others with Tourette's, campers realize they're not alone, said Cohen, a Tritt Elementary teacher.

"We all know we have a disability," Cohen said. "We have a disability because the rest of the world thinks we have one. The reality is, these kids can do anything they want."

Gil Berman, 16, of Sandy Springs wants to be a comedian.

"I've always loved making people laugh. It's a great feeling," said Berman, who came to camp straight from an improv performance in Midtown.

Actor Jimmy Wolk, who played Cohen in "Front of the Class" on CBS, flew from California to volunteer. "When Brad told he was doing this, I booked my ticket," he said.

A camp counselor growing up in Michigan, Wolk and others showed the youngsters the ropes as they climbed 35 feet up a tree. He said was excited to see them soar.

Rhett Sewell, who's one of the camp's 30 volunteers, said Twitch and Shout hits close to his heart.

"I have Tourette Syndrome as well, so it really touches home," said 18-year-old Sewell of Newnan. "We've been treating them as campers first, kids with Tourette's second."

Ken Frazier, 14, of Powder Spings has been to a Tourette's camp before in Chicago. He is drawn to archery and swimming, as well as kayaking — up until he fell out of the boat Tuesday.

Frazier finds Twitch and Shout relaxing and spacious, but he does have a camp criticism. "They need to supply everyone with bug spray."