THE FOUNDERS’ MESSAGE
“Courage to Care”
It is with grateful hearts we celebrate Trailways Camps 10th anniversary of providing overnight camping experiences adults with special needs in SW Florida. In this Winter/Spring Season 2025 we will wrap up a year of serving 80 campers and a list of new applicants hoping to come in the 25/26 season. We will also close with a long list of campers waiting to return –and the waiting time is averaging 6 years given current capacity. We need more camp sessions and added Fun Days for those waiting to return.
We are grateful and rejoicing because we were selected as a 2025 United Way Lee, Hendry and Glades partner. This support has enabled us to add part-time operations and outreach support for the Camp Director.
Thanks to the Presenting Sponsorship of Grampy’s Charities for a 1st Trailways Camp Charities Golf Tournament and the Pagel Foundation sponsorship for the 1st Trailways Artistic Abilities Auction we have added our very first fundraising event to the spring celebration season. Your participation would be so wonderful.
Month of March– The Trailways Artistic Abilities Auction –We are beaming with pride to auction on line and in person at the Sanibel Community House original works of art by our campers. Trailways gives our campers the opportunity to sell their art work to Trailways Camps to be auctioned off to provide funds for more campers to experience the joy of Trailways Camps. On line auction opportunities are available @trailwayscampsfundraising.com You can also view and bid on pieces in person at the Sanibel Community House beginning March 1.
March 24th The First Annual Trailways Golf Tournament and Online Auction–Join us for a day of FUN and FUNDraising at Shell Point Golf Club! Mark your calendars, secure your golfing buddies, and brush up on your swing to help us provide another ten years of amazing camp memories. Golf registration is live and sponsorship opportunities are available. If you have a passion for providing overnight camps for adults with special needs and golfing is your passion also then reach out to us directly about sponsorships today. Just click on the home page popup NOW!
If you are not a golfer or additional art pieces aren’t in your plans right now. Perhaps you will consider a Trailways Camper Scholarship donation for one of the camp applicants. See the opportunities at www.trailwayscamps.org/give
April 5th is the day of The Trailways “I Am Special” Camper Reunion & Birth Day Party. It is a Decade Celebration of Trailways Camps’ ten years in Southwest Florida. We are going back to where it all began. The Sanibel Community Church! Online registration is open! The celebration is open for all past campers and their caregivers. To Sponsor a Table of 4 campers, 2 caregivers, yourself and another host volunteer visit www.trailwayscamps.org/give
We want to personally thank you for encouraging the Trailways Team, for creating joy filled experiences as volunteers, and for your financial support that is also helping us grow partnerships in the community. Please join us for the season ahead!
We wish you Happy Trails,
Sharon & Jerry Miller, Founders
Guess Who Is Coming to the “I AM SPECIAL”?
Thank you Grampy’s Charities for your continued encouragement and support for Trailways Campers. Jim and Jonatha Castle are supporters of families and those providing caregiving support for adults with special needs. Visit https://www.grampys.org to read more about this amazing team leading an amazing
Did you know that we have a You Tube Channel? If you subscribe you will always be able to be aware of any new video’s from the Camps or “I AM SPECIAL” events. Just go to You Tube, the handle is @trailwayscamps
EVENT & CAMP HAPPENINGS–Sharing our gifts and talents
Are you ready for our horse experiences?
Thank you Chapel by the Sea for providing a grant to renew and upgrade horse experiences for all campers who come while maintaining care standards for the animals who serve us. New safety helmets in several sizes for those who are without medical restrictions to mount a horse and have a led horse experience. A new Mounting Block. For those who are not able to sit atop a horse, we have Mini Horse Entertainment through Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, and pony hand painting experiences. We are so grateful for this very special donation that will benefits all Trailways Campers.
Benjamin G. Miller “Joyful Spirit Award”
A tradition that is part of each Trailways Camp Session is the Awards Assembly at which campers themselves are recognized for the gifts they bring, the achievements reached, and the most remarkable character reflections visible during the gathering. This tradition is carried forward to the Annual “I AM SPECIAL” Camper Reunion & Birth Day event. There are four Founders Awards—one of which has been The Birth Day Closest to that of Benjamin Miller. Upon thoughtful and spiritual reflection we made the decision to release this award, and to establish a new award going forward.
Benjamin lived each day as a joyful spirit. Disappointments or frustrations on a day never carried forward to another day. He loved His Lord and loved each person created by Him. Loving others, serving others, participating in relationships with others were at the core of who he was. This new award recognizes these exceptional characteristics in a participating camper. The new award was presented by the Founders to Julie Lyle on October 15, to Janee Combee on October 21, and Glen Stilley on November 18. Thank you to each one for the opportunity to celebrate you! We now have an Academy of “Joyful Spirits”