LABELLE -- Twenty adults with special needs, along with 50 staff, volunteers, and invited guests, will gather together at the 4-day, 3 night residential retreat at Riverside Retreat, Nov. 13-16.

Each day and evening is packed with activities that provide opportunities for fun, creating friendships, and establishing connections as a community of diverse individuals. The Trailways Camp experiences enable parents and caregivers an opportunity for respite knowing their adult son or daughter will be in a safe, high-quality environment with care provided by trained and joyful people.

A highlight of the November Camp is the family style Thanksgiving Feast on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m., followed by the Talent Show which is open to visitors.

There is a Community Give Back project at every camp session - campers are asked to participate as volunteers in giving back to the community. At the November camp they will be participating in creating baskets of Thanksgiving side dishes to give to the Alva Food bank. The Food Bank will be distributing hams and turkeys.

If you wish to visit contact Jamie Senkeleski, Camp Director to register your visit and receive a gate pass code. There is no charge for visiting and cheering folks on. Email TrailwaysCampDirector@gmail.com, text or call 941-564-9861

The Miller Family established Trailways Camps in Texas in 2007 following the passing of their son Robert who had a rare, progressive disorder that presented major life challenges. Thirty camp sessions were provided there.

The Miller Family moved full time to Sanibel, Florida in 2010 and decided to initiate the camping program in SW Florida. They established a Donor Advised Fund at the SW Florida Community Foundation, DBA Collaboratory, selected a site partner—the Riverside Camp & Retreat in LaBelle, In October 2012 the first Trailways Camp in SW Florida became a reality. Camps were operated in partnership with non-profit providers. Following 34 successful Trailways Camps in SW Florida, and the passing of their younger son Benjamin, The Founders have established TRAIL.WAYS Forward... as a mission theme for the next decade. They registered as a non-profit in Florida in 2021, and became an IRS approved 501(c) 3 to lead plans and organize leadership for sustaining the program in the event of their passing. More information is available on the website www.trailwayscamps.org.