provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Trailways Camp has provided overnight camping experiences for adults with special needs and respite for their caregivers in Southwest Florida since 2012.
After establishing a Board of Directors and incorporation as a 501(c)3 in 2021, the organization employed a camp director to manage and oversee camp operations. Trailways opened a camp office in June 2024 at 1177 Causeway Rd., creating a home base for the operational and advisory teams.
Today, it announces the appointment of Jamie Senkeleski as Executive Director. After three highly successful years of leading camp operations, including the 40th camp session, Senkeleski is ready to move into an executive leadership role, said Trailways Founders Sharon and Jerry Miller.
She will lead the way forward as the organization seeks to bridge the gap for adults with special needs as they exit special education services and seek participation in community life.
An estimated 1,500 adults aged 18-21 exit from Lee, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, and Collier County’s special education programs yearly. Where do they go?
Day activities service providers have limited spots available for new entrants. Job carving, training, and location services are minimal. Social programs available through churches, community organizations, and nonprofits are limited.
Respite services are sparse, and overnight respite is almost nonexistent for parent caregivers – often into their 70s, 80s, and beyond. This gap extends outward throughout the state of Florida.
Working with community partners to enable creative, efficient, and practical resource alignment is a high priority.
Senkeleski is representing Trailways Camp as a member of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, the SW Florida Community Foundation, DBA Collaboratory’s Health and Wellness Coalition taskforce, the Lee County Schools Transition Council, and a participant in the Lee, Hendry, Glades United Way provider network collaborations.
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