THE FOUNDERS’ MESSAGE
“Courage to Care”
The creative “in community” camp, sponsored by the Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation will be held May 18-21 on Sanibel and will bring the Trailways Camp 25/26 season to a close. Priority for this camp is placed on providing adults with special needs whose caregivers are Sanibel residents or employees of Sanibel business and organizations an opportunity to experience overnight Trailways Camps. Unfilled places will be made available for prior campers seeking return, but who are now on waiting lists and waiting to return for five years plus..
On April 18 Grampy’s Charities announced a $100K Match campaign. Any donations received by Trailways Camps through July 5 will be matched dollar for dollar by Grampy’s– up to the goal of $100,000. These donations will provide camping opportunities for camper return applicants with long waiting times for return. Your gift during the campaign will have a double impact because of the match commitment by Grampy’s Charities. Your gift –small or large — can help make (reconnection) dreams come true.
Your gifts mean so very much, and we love sharing photos, and videos that capture the expressions of Joy that flow from what you enable. Thank you for dreaming with us, for serving, for giving, and supporting adults with special needs and respite for their caregivers.
We wish you Happy Trails. Sharon & Jerry Miller, Founders
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 organization.
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 recipient is chosen and presented by the Founders We now have an Academy of “Joyful Spirits”. All are celebrated at the Annual “I Am Special” Trailways Camper Reunion.
