A Family Story
The idea of camping experiences for adults with disabilities began as a vision of the Miller family, after the passing of their son Robert in the Fall of 2005. Robert was born with a rare, progressive disease causing severe disabilities, and truly enjoyed the time he spent attending camp as a child and young adult. These experiences brought Joy to his inner being. This Vision of his joy was reflected when the family memorialized him with the inception of Trailways Camps in Texas.
The Millers, along with their son Benjamin, became full time residents in Southwest Florida in 2010. Here they began seeing the same service gaps for adults with disabilities. There wasn’t much for Benjamin to do, and so many families had few options for overnight respite. Seeing the void in his life led to the launch of Trailways Camp in SW Florida.
Sadly, Benjamin Miller passed away at 44 in April 2020. Benjamin fought a lifelong battle with what is now known as Zellweger Spectrum Disease, a multisystem disorder. He was the oldest known prolonged survivor according to researchers in North and South America and the Netherlands– with most individuals now passing as newborns or prior to the age of 10.
The Idea Forms & The Vision
2005-2007
The family envisioned bringing quality of life through camping experiences to not only adults with disabilities but also to their caregivers and families through the provision of overnight respite opportunities. Ideas began to flow from the Vision. Collaborations and partnerships were created to enable campers to thrive by having fun, friends and support while parents and caregivers received rest, relaxation and enjoyment because of some time for themselves .
The first Trailways Camp was held in Texas in 2007.
The Texas Experience
2008-2012
30 camps were provided in partnership with the Community Foundation, Easter Seals Central Texas, Imagine Art, PLAN and other non profit organizations.
In addition to the camps, the Robert V. and Benjamin G. Miller Fund initiated hosted Fun Days and an annual reunion gathering. The “I Am Special” Trailways Camper Reunion party, was launched in 2008 to celebrate Robert and Benjamin’s birthdays, but the Millers quickly made it an inclusive birthday party to celebrate everyone’s birthday. The daytime event draws scores of adults with disabilities and their families for fun and community each spring in April or May.
The Southwest Florida Experience
2012-2021
The Millers along with their son Benjamin became residents in Southwest Florida in 2010. Here they began seeing the same service gaps for adults with disabilities. There wasn’t much for Benjamin to do, and so many families had few options for overnight respite.
The Need is Here
The Millers estimate that about 1,600 young adults exit from special education programs in Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte and Collier counties each year, and most have few opportunities for participation in community life. They seek community partnerships to bridge resource gaps to help “Fill The Void.” They will continue to make a difference– now in memory of both Robert and Benjamin. With capacity for 20 at each camp, they see a great need for much more.
Accelerating Community Collaborations & Partnerships
The Millers started building off the strength and momentum of the successful camping sessions to create collaborative efforts with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and other area community organizations. Hosted camp partnerships with local non-profits were initiated. In 2013, the first Southwest Florida “I Am Special” was held on Sanibel bringing campers, caregivers, community partners and volunteers together.
The Millers brought the first Night to Shine, by the Tim Tebow Foundation, to the area in 2018. Fun Days have been added to the annual events to provide opportunities for the long list of campers waiting to return to Trailways overnight camps.
2022 – Forward
-
Attained 501(c)3, Non-Profit Status
-
A Growing Board of Directors
-
An Executive Director Appointed
-
United Way Partnership
-
Decade Celebration of the “I Am Special” Camper Reunion
-
Charity Guide Platinum Status
-
Strategic Plan
-
Foundational Support (Golisano, Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation)
-
Annual 50k in 50 Days – Grampy’s Charities Match Campaign to support more camps at Riverside Retreat
-
Charitable Foundation of the Islands partnership
-
The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation launches the first “in community” camp on Sanibel
-
Launch of Trailways Camp Annual Charitable Golf Tournament
-
100+ Women Who Care – Launch of day camping experiences in Sanibel
