Campers, families reunite at ‘I Am Special’ reunion
An annual celebration of relationships built through the Trailways Camps recently took place.
The 8th “I Am Special” Trailways Camper Reunion was held on April 1 at the Grace Church in Cape Coral. More than 200 attendees enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment, activities, games and more.
“We had about 140 campers and family members, plus table community hosts, volunteers and community guests,” Sharon Miller, who founded Trailways Camps with her husband, Jerry, said.
She explained that they can only serve 20 participants at each camp and their priority is to offer the opportunity to attend one to those who have not been, so many campers cannot take part again.
“So they don’t get to come back and see people over and over again,” Miller said, noting that the reunion offers campers the chance to get together with old and new friends and to reconnect.
“And it’s the only thing we do that also involves family members and caregivers,” she added.
Camp Director Jamie Senkeleski continued that for the families of the adults with special needs who attend their camps, the reunion is an opportunity for them to network and make local connections.
“It gives them support in their community,” she said.
This year, Steve Greenstein returned as the emcee for the event. Grampy, the mascot for Grampy’s Charities, made a special appearance as usual, and he was joined by Way Too Tall Torrie on her stilts.
“He interacted with the campers,” Miller said, adding that there was dancing and balloon figures.
A deejay provided the tunes while attendees showed off their moves on the dance floor.
“We had an airbrush tattoo artist,” she said. “We had a photo booth.”
Campers also took part in a game of Bingo, with items like beach towels and candy up for grabs.
“They get prizes for that, so that’s a big deal,” Miller said of the popularity of the game.
There was the traditional “I Am Special” birthday cake and singing.
“It’s brought in in a big procession,” she said, adding that they serve up cupcakes and ice cream.
During each Trailways Camps session, a talent show is held where campers can spotlight their skills. For the reunion, they select some campers from throughout the year to perform their routine again.
“They get to perform on the big stage,” Miller said.
The reunion also includes the presentation of the Founders Awards. This year, Bobby Senich was recognized with the Eldest Camper Award and Abigail Nordics received the Youngest Camper Award. Senich also was the recipient of the Biggest Fish Award for hooking a 26-incher during his camp.
The new Benjamin G. Miller Joyful Spirits Award went to Niki Dondero and Allison Occhionero.
“The campers get a medal, they get a certificate,” she said, adding that the winners also get a gift card.
Another highlight of the event is the drawing to win a respite stay for the parents of a camper. It provides the winners with a chance to de-stress and recharge from the day-to-day care they provide.
Miller reported that last year’s winners were unable to use their coupon at the Shalimar Cottages & Motel on Sanibel because of Hurricane Ian. However, donors Ed Lamotta and Betsy Houston provided coupons for the ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva for this year and last year’s winners.
It was also announced at the reunion that the Millers established their own nonprofit organization, Trailways Camps Inc., to enhance future sustainability through public support for camping experiences for adults with special needs and respite for their families. They filed and were approved last year.
“The joy that you saw in the faces of the campers and their parents and caregivers — and the volunteers. The joy after Ian and many of them losing their homes,” she said of the reunion. “People just grabbed and embraced each other — it was a dominant response to everything going on.”
The first “I Am Special” event was held in 2007. It began as a celebration honoring the life of Robert V. Miller, in whose memory a camping program for adults with special needs was initiated in Texas. The Millers moved to Sanibel in 2011 and decided to initiate the camping program in Southwest Florida. In 2012, the first camp took place at the Riverside Retreat in LaBelle. With the passing of their other son, Benjamin G. Miller, Trailways Camps now honors the lives of both.
For more information, visit https://www.trailwayscamps.org/.