Aldersgate Homes, Inc.

for more information:
Aldersgate Homes, Inc.
4105 Briarcliff Rd. NE
Atlanta, GA 30345

Phone:404-327-9491
Fax:404-327-9097
aldhomes@bellsouth.net

What is Collinswood?

Aldersgate Homes is a related agency of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church in ministry with and to the developmentally disabled and their families, friends, caregivers, churches, and communities. There are special challenges for all of the family members, caregivers and / or service providers when one of their own has special needs. Being outdoors is such a joy, but it can present special challenges for the developmentally disabled. This is an area of ministry that the United Methodist Church is addressing through Collinswood of Aldersgate Homes.

For about 12 years now, Aldersgate Homes has had several group homes and apartments where we facilitate independent living for developmentally disabled adults at the level they are able to sustain. Over the last few years, we have developed Collinswood.

Collinswood is a lovely property that was donated to us by a family in memory of their now deceased developmentally disabled adult child. In keeping with honoring Todd’s memory, Collinswood was architecturally designed for physically and mentally disabled persons. The entire recreational and retreat facility is accessible to all persons.

Collinswood is 27 acres, located on Lake Oconee near Greensboro, GA, just off Interstate 20. On the grounds are two cottages that will each sleep 10 people. Each cottage has bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas and modified kitchen facilities designed for wheelchair access. There will be 8 cottages when the facility is fully complete.

Near the cottages are basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts and a lovely meadow area. The nature trail is a ramp that winds down through the woods just as any other nature trail does. The trail leads to a lakefront picnic area with gazebo, bathhouses, and an accessible fishing dock.

The cottages were completed and dedicated in the fall of 2004 and are now open for use. Word about Collinswood and the opportunities it offers is beginning to spread! The facilities at Collinswood provide opportunities for those with physical and mental disabilities to be out of doors and experiencing nature. We want the facility to be used and enjoyed by many.

Collinswood is available for day and overnight retreat use. While all of the on-site facilities are built to accommodate the developmentally disabled, and also the physically disabled, any small group can use Collinswood. The rates are very affordable and any funds resulting from use of the facility will be used to maintain and continue to develop Collinswood.

For all use of Collinswood, we have registration forms and request these be sent to us 30 days prior to the event. The forms are available on the left side of this page. You may click on them and print them directly from the web. The fee schedule is:

Day use:

• Day use of grounds, including the bathhouse (restrooms), gazebo, and the fishing dock: $5.00 per person
• Day use of grounds and a cottage for the day: $25.00 plus the $5.00 per person day fee.
• A deposit of $25.00 is due with the registration forms. The entire fee is due upon arrival, and the registration fee will be credited towards the total owed.

Overnight use:

• Overnight use of a cottage, each sleeping 10 people: $150.00 per cottage per night. We do allow up to 13 in a cottage if anyone wants to “camp” on the floor in a sleeping bag or something that they provide for themselves (this is geared towards Youth Groups!) at an additional charge of $15.00 per person.
• Registration is requested 30 days prior to the event and must be accompanied by a non-refundable deposit of $100.00.
• The entire cost for participants is due upon arrival.
• After your event, if all is left in good order, the deposit will be credited to your total costs and the excess returned to you by mail.

Aldersgate Homes is committed to ministry with and to the developmentally disabled and their families, caregivers, and service providers. The retreat and recreation facilities at Collinswood are carefully and joyfully planned so that those with limitations can enjoy God’s creation out of doors! Plan a visit to Collinswood today. You’ll be glad you did!