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Sadie’s journey at Camp For All has been a masterpiece, adding new colors of confidence and joy every year.

“Camp Love Without Limits was the most comfortable away from home I ever was,” said 18-year-old Sadie Nash. “I was surrounded by people that felt like family. It’s a place that you can truly have fun without worrying if it’s too hard, or if someone will judge you.”

Sadie has been a patient at Shriners Children’s Texas since birth. She was born with arthrogryposis, a condition that causes stiffness in multiple joints throughout the body. For Sadie, that has meant challenges with mobility. She cannot bend her knees, and the condition also affects her hands and jaw. In addition, she lives with a leg length discrepancy and scoliosis. Over the years, she has undergone multiple corrective surgeries as part of her care journey at Shriners Children’s Texas.

When Sadie was 9 years old, her physical therapist, Janet, told her and her brother about Camp Love Without Limits. The camp is held at Camp For All, a barrier-free facility designed so children and adults with special needs can enjoy traditional camp activities. With wide sidewalks, ramps, accessible cabins and fully adaptive programming, Camp For All is built to level the playing field for every camper. Janet showed them pictures and gave them a booklet about the camp. Encouraged, Sadie decided to attend.

“My first year I was very nervous,” Sadie said. “But at Camp, you’re welcome to take your time, go at your own speed. That’s why I liked it.” Over the next six years, Sadie returned to Camp Love Without Limits again and again, building confidence and branching out of her comfort zone.

One of her favorite activities was climbing the rock wall. Growing up in a Texas lake town where cliff climbing was a popular pastime, Sadie always wished she could join in. Camp Love Without Limits gave her that opportunity. “The first year I remember asking the counselors four or five times if they were sure that I could go on the rock wall,” Sadie said. “And every year I’ve done it and every year it’s gotten a little bit easier. I like to think that’s because I get a little bit stronger.”

Other camp highlights included zip lining, horseback riding, and the giant swing. Each activity was adaptive, designed so that every camper could participate no matter their level of mobility. But for Sadie, camp was about more than just activities. It was also about friendship. Sadie quickly grew close to other campers, including a fellow Shriners Children’s patient named Kaylee. Sadie and Kaylee grew up together at camp, and they remain close friends to this day.

“Throughout the years, I could slowly see Kaylee get more comfortable with everyone around her. And I think the same about me,” Sadie explained. “I think both of us together slowly just grew into ourselves. And camp is a big reason for that.”

Sadie also valued the support of camp staff. Shriners Children’s team members like Miss Janet and Miss Lakeisha helped her feel safe in an overnight setting. For many campers, this is their first time away from their parents, and the presence of both Shriners Children’s staff and trained camp counselors allows them to gain independence in a safe environment. One staff member Sadie connected with was a college student from the University of Texas. Sadie felt inspired by her to consider attending UT in the future.

Reflecting on her experience, Sadie says that camp gave her something she always wanted. “In the movies, you’re constantly exposed to the traditional summer camp,” she said. “And I think that’s all a lot of kids that are born a little differently want — to have a traditional childhood and get to experience the same things.”

Today, Sadie is a high school graduate and teaches private and group art classes in her community. She hopes to continue pursuing art while exploring her college options, with plans to apply to the University of Texas. Though her Camp days are behind her, the lessons, memories, and friendships from Camp Love Without Limits remain.

For 24 years, Serena Harkins (on right) has been making amazing memories for campers.

Every summer, the quiet hum of anticipation builds in Caldwell, Texas, as the community prepares to send off a very special group of campers. At the heart of this cherished tradition is Serena Harkins, Camp Director of Dreamcatcher, a transformative Camp experience hosted at Camp For All in partnership with McLane Children’s Hospital, Baylor Scott & White. Dreamcatcher serves children with cancer and blood disorders, offering them a week of joy, healing, and connection.

This summer, 75 campers came to Camp For All, accompanied by 10 dedicated leaders and supported by a team of 35 to 40 staff members. Serena has been part of Camp for an incredible 24 years. Now in her third year as Camp Director for Dreamcatcher, she brings not only experience, but also a deep, personal commitment to every camper who comes to Burton.

“Our campers love being here,” Serena said with a warm smile. “They all feel the connection of community.”

That sense of community begins even before the campers arrive. The town of Caldwell gives them a send-off to remember: a festive gathering at the Civic Center complete with hot dogs and sno-cones. The mayor joins in the celebration, and the local Harley-Davidson club escorts the campers to Camp For All in a roaring, unforgettable procession. It’s a moment that sets the tone for the week ahead, one filled with laughter and adventure.

Among this year’s campers are three who represent a beautiful legacy: they are third-generation Dreamcatcher campers, continuing a tradition of resilience and confidence that spans decades.

Fishing is one of the most beloved activities at Camp For All, and Serena knows exactly why.

“Our campers love fishing the most,” she shared. “Many get to fish for the first time here. It’s magical to watch their faces light up when they catch something.”

Under Serena’s leadership, Dreamcatcher is more than a Camp. It’s also a place where children facing challenges can simply be kids. Where they can laugh, play, and build friendships that last a lifetime. And where they are reminded, every single day, that they are not alone.

Rado discovered a world of possibilities at Camp For All.

For Rado, who moved to Houston from Bulgaria three years ago, Camp For All offered a chance to experience activities he had only dreamed of. Rado was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare neuromuscular condition, and came to Shriners Children’s for treatment and braces that help him stand upright. When he was 12, he attended Camp Love Without Limits for the first time.

The giant swing, one of Camp’s signature activities, at first intimidated him. “You can choose how high you want to go up,” Rado said. “I was like, ‘You know what, let me just try all the way.’ It was honestly scary while I was going down, but then after I got off, it became my favorite activity.”

As much fun as Rado had swinging, his favorite part was the people. He recalled being able to relate to other campers with similar disabilities and said it gave him a sense of belonging. For many patients, this is also their first time spending the night away from their parents, supervised by trained Shriners Children’s Texas and Camp For All staff.

Rado’s mom, Ralitsa, remembers the first time she let him go on his own. “We are coming from Europe, from Bulgaria. It’s not accessible over there, and Rado was never able to try something like this,” she said. “When they put Rado in the ramp and in the bus, I was sure he will spend good time over there. And that’s what happened. When he came back, he was crying from joy.”

“I realized at Camp that all the things I’ve always wanted to do were possible,” Rado said. “That was a big moment of realization for me where I was like, ‘OK, so I can do what everybody else does.’”

Now 14, Rado has been looking forward to returning to Camp Love Without Limits all year. Over the last decade, the Camp has become a milestone for many Shriners Children’s Texas patients.

Special thanks to our Partner, Shriners Children’s Texas, for sharing Rado’s story.

Sarah Herbek has been creating Camp magic for years.

It’s hard to imagine Camp For All without Sarah Herbek. She’s worn just about every hat — from volunteer to staff member to a Camp director — and through it all, she’s been a steady, joyful force behind the scenes and out in front. Her years of selfless dedication have helped shape Camp into the amazing place it is today, and she’s still cheering it on every step of the way.

Sarah’s connection to Camp began during college, when she spent three summers as a program staff member. “Seeing campers build their confidence, feel accepted, and accomplish things they didn’t think they could made a huge impression on me,” Sarah recalled. “It truly shaped who I am.”

That impact sparked a lasting commitment. Since college, Sarah has remained actively engaged with Camp For All in a variety of roles. She has served as a Camp counselor, directed Camp Pump It Up, helped facilitate Camp For All 2U in hospitals, and has been a passionate member of the Emerging Leaders Board. “Camp For All has been a guiding light for me, both personally and professionally,” she shared.

Camp For All Emerging Leaders are excited to have Sarah bring her energy and passion to the Board Chair role in 2026 and keep their momentum going strong.

Kennedy on the rock wall and with two Discovery counselors.

At Camp For All, every moment is a chance to thrive. And that’s exactly what happened for Kennedy, a Discovery camper with our nonprofit Partner, the American Academy of Dermatology.

When she first saw the indoor rock wall in Star Place, Kennedy felt nervous. But that changed when a Discovery counselor, Chloe, offered to climb the wall right alongside her. With Chloe’s encouragement and support, Kennedy started her ascent. Step by step, she gained confidence, and her fear turned into excitement. “I did it! I did it!” Kennedy said with a big smile afterward.

It’s moments like these that show how courage, friendship, and support can help our campers discover just how strong they really are.

Mandy and Brady Benedix, then and now.

Mothers and sons share a deep, natural bond built on love, trust, and support. This connection shapes who they are and how they see the world. It’s a quiet strength that lasts a lifetime.

Mandy Benedix and her son Brady have this special bond. And Camp For All is a big part of it.

Mandy was a Camp For All program staff member from the summer of 1999 until 2003 when she became a full-time program manager. She continued to serve as on the program staff until the summer of 2005.

“I originally wanted to work at Camp For All because I was going into my first year of teaching in the fall of 1999 and I wanted a job that summer before working with kids,” said Mandy. “I had a friend who worked at Camp the summer before, and he recommended it to me.”

She added, “I didn’t know what to expect because camp had never been a part of my life growing up.  Once I realized it was everything a career should be – fun, purposeful, impactful, hard, draining, and yet absolutely fulfilling at the same time – I never looked back!”

Mandy led many Camp activities, including the high and low ropes courses and dance classes where campers would learn routines for the talent show. As a program manager, she helped train and support program staff members, as well as collaborated with nonprofit Partners.

“I had so many memorable experiences. Some were big moments, including helping one of our campers with muscular dystrophy conquer his fear of the zipline during his final year of Camp,” said Mandy. “Most were small moments. Every time we saw a camper feeling included, seen, and celebrated, it was a memorable moment.

“The most memorable moment for me was when I realized why Camp For All exists,” she added. “We were hosting a Camp for children with burns. There were campers in full body suits, and some were unable to carry their own trays because of the severity of their burns.

“During the camper carnival, Davey came to my putt-putt station. He was the most severely burned child at Camp. I handed him the putter, but he couldn’t grab it, so he put it between his forearms. He hit the ball until it went in the hole. I then heard a faint sound coming from the small hole in the body suit where his mouth was and realized he was laughing. In that moment, I saw joy in its purest form and realized that it should never be confined to our circumstances,” said Mandy.

Her son Brady, who is beginning his first year at Texas A&M University, was exposed to Camp at an early age. The Benedix family attended every Camp Family Day and volunteered at check-in for muscular dystrophy campers. (Her husband Curt, whom she met at Camp For All, served as a Senior Counselor with the Muscular Dystrophy Association for 27 years.) Brady also raised money for Camp For All by selling lemonade and cookies.

Brady wrapped up his first summer as a program staff member on August 8.

“We always told him that he could work at Camp when he turned 18, and when he chose to do just that, I was so proud,” said Mandy. “I wanted him to do this work because I want him to see people and the world and all that is good in it. I believe no place teaches you that more than Camp For All.”

Mandy spent time at Camp this summer as part of the special Camp For Y’All week. Brady had the day off, so they did the ropes course together, climbed the power pole, and participated in other activities.

“Knowing that 25 years ago, I was where Brady is now and he wasn’t even in the world yet is truly a gift,” she said. “To be able to know what this experience feels like for him and what it will produce in him because I lived it is something that has created a bond between Brady and me that is unique to us.”

Ellie Maddox and Grace Boedy.

You know what many people say — when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

For Ellie Maddox, the five-year-old granddaughter of Laurie and Jack Maddox (Laurie serves on the Camp For All Board of Directors; Jack is the Chair of the Camp Friends Board), and her friend Grace Boedy, when life gave them lemons, they volunteered their time to set up a lemonade stand in Austin, Texas, with the proceeds from every ice-cold cup benefitting Camp For All.

On behalf of our campers, thank you for your initiative, passion, and generosity, Ellie and Grace. Camp For All looks forward to having you as volunteers in the future!

Aline Serinet, General Manager, Camden Property Trust (front row, fourth from the left) with Camden Cares employee volunteers.

First and foremost, I am a mom myself and I felt naturally compelled to volunteer at Camp For All. I am simply blown away and grateful knowing that this kind of organization exists.

We always want the best for our children, so being able to help a camper forget about their challenges even if it was for a few moments meant everything to me.

Life will throw obstacles, but seeing how much joy and courage the campers have despite their challenges is inspiring!

Anya Edelman with a camper on water day.

I first learned about Camp for All while attending Camp for Joy with The Joy School, a private school for students who are neurodivergent or have learning and attention challenges, during my 6th to 8th grade overnight retreats. Later, I discovered that my family and family friends had connections to Camp, which felt like a full-circle moment for me.

As a camper, I recognized that this place was special. The moments I spent bonding with my classmates, facing my fears on the challenge course, and being silly in the costume closet shaped my direction in life and introduced me to the people I look up to.

When I reflect on my experiences, Camp For All stands out as a place where I could truly be myself without fearing that my learning disabilities would hinder my opportunities for fun. For many campers, it is a place where they can hear “yes.” This inclusive environment opens possibilities, and challenges are viewed as valuable learning experiences that will serve me well in my career.

My position as a member of the summer Camp Program Staff has already provided me with so much in just a few weeks. I have connected with fellow staff members who share my passion and fun attitude, which is truly refreshing.

Every Camp group that comes through the gates leaves me with lasting memories and makes a mark on my heart, but my week with Camp Bayou Bruisers was particularly special. One memorable moment was coaching a group of timid campers at the canoe dock. When they were fitting into their life jackets, they asked if they were allowed to do it. I replied, “Of course you can. This is Camp For All!” The light that appeared on their faces is something I will never forget.

Initially, the campers were eager to come back to the dock, but after helping them take some deep breaths, they found the resilience to work together as a team to paddle the canoe. This moment of resilience closely mirrors my experience with Camp For All. It has become a place where I have grown stronger as a leader, navigating new roles as a program staff member and learning new skills, while embracing my learning differences.

Nick and a camper take aim at an archery target.

Cross paths with Camp For All staff member Nick Narcisse and you probably won’t forget it anytime soon. Upbeat, supportive, and focused, he’ll go out of his way to say hello and offer a friendly handshake or embrace before he leaves. You can’t help but get a strong sense that Nick loves discovering life.

Nick first learned about Camp For All during his freshman year at Blinn College in nearby Brenham, Texas. He attended a campus career fair where Camp For All was recruiting new staff members.

“Camp For All made a big impression on me. As soon as I interacted with the campers, I wanted to be a part of it,” Nick said. “Not only does Camp For All transform the world for children and adults with challenging illnesses, disabilities, or special needs, it also transforms staff members. Being at Camp makes me want to be better in every aspect of my life.”

A staff member since 2023. Nick acknowledges that he has grown a lot during his time at Camp For All. He cites the many opportunities he and other staff members have to make a positive impact on campers, whether it’s serving as a lifeguard, running an activity, or sharing words of encouragement.

“You eventually blossom into someone the campers look up to and, at the same time, a person you didn’t think you could be,” he said.

Some of Nick’s favorite experiences include dancing with campers during the daily “Energizers,” making himself a target during “Water Days” at Camp, and belaying climbers in Star Place and on the climbing tower.

“One of the greatest rewards of being a Camp For All staff member is when our campers trust and confide in me because I made an impact on them,” Nick said. “It’s an incredible feeling and one of the reasons I love what I do and why I do it.”

Nick’s Camp For All experiences and surrounding himself with what he calls, “amazing people,” have also positively impacted his life beyond Camp. He has built relationships with major industry influencers in music and entertainment, which has grown his passion in these areas, as well as in entrepreneurship. Nick has also helped lead food drives for retired veterans, which has created an interest in the military.

“At Camp For All, everything we do is about joy, fun, and enabling our campers to discover life,” Nick said. “Camp For All has also helped me discover life in more ways than I could have ever imagined.”

Ashley Gumbert and Karen Bunger.

Spend just a few minutes with Karen Bunger and Ashley Gumbert and you’ll be able to tell that they’re lifelong friends. All the unique characteristics are there to see – the shared smiles, simultaneous nods of approval, and comments that build seamlessly on each other’s thoughts and ideas.

Their bond is easily recognizable when Karen and Ashley, event co-chairs, talk about the 2025 Camp For All Gala, “Bubbles & Brews – A Toast for All,” on Thursday, October 9, 2025 in Brenham.

Their connection also includes their shared passion for serving others.

Karen has more than 20 years of experience as an Educational Diagnostician, with the past four years working with the special education department in the Brenham Independent School District. During her time in Dallas, Karen worked with Pediatricians of Dallas providing evaluations for children with special needs, including developmental delays, ADHD, and learning disabilities.

Ashley was a member of The Junior League of Houston where she volunteered at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, co-chaired the bookfair at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, co-chaired Fathers and Flashlights, a fundraiser for West University’s parks, and worked with children with special needs at the Conroe Independent School District.

Both raised in Brenham, Karen and Ashley have been close to Camp For All for many years. They’re regular volunteers at Camp, and two of Ashley’s sons are volunteering this summer.

Karen and Ashley’s bond extends to their relationships in the community. Marita and Robert Mikeska, the honorees of this year’s gala, are close friends. Marita invited Karen and Ashley to join the Camp Friends Board, which they’ve each served on for the past two years.

“I hope our community continues to recognize just how important Camp For All is – not only as a place for children and adults with special needs to come together to discover life, but also for its ability to touch the lives of so many,” Karen said.

“Camp For All is truly a unique and special place that we are lucky to have right in our own backyard! Camp provides life-changing experiences for both campers and volunteers,” Ashley said.

On behalf of everyone at Camp For All, we’re lucky to have the unwavering support, service, and selflessness of these lifelong friends. Thank you for everything you do, Karen and Ashley!

Sharee and “Mr. Steve” at the Camp For All fishing pier.

While being raised in Channelview, Texas, east of Houston, Sharee Hebert grew up with a deep sense of value for volunteerism and service. She didn’t have to look very far for two exceptional role models: her parents, Steve and Sharon Walker. Campers affectionately know Steve as “Mr. Steve” or “Pops,” depending on the Camp.

“Our parents were always helping with everything. They were always the last ones to leave,” Sharee recalled. “Our parents taught us to give what you could through serving others.”

While Sharee was in high school, her sister was a patient at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital in Houston. It was through MD Anderson that her father learned about Camp Star Trails, a Camp For All nonprofit Partner.

“It was back in 2001 when my dad asked me if I wanted to join him as a counselor with Camp Star Trails. I immediately fell in love with the people and experience,” she said.

Sharee continued volunteering with Camp Star Trails in the early 2000s and again in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Following time abroad, including living and teaching in China, Sharee relocated back to Katy, Texas with her 12-year-old daughter in 2022. The move to Texas gave her an opportunity to renew her passion for Camp For All.

“When I started volunteering again in 2022, I decided I wanted to try some new experiences, so I signed up to help at Camp For All,” Sharee said. “I’ve found this side of volunteering is also incredibly rewarding. I get to do it all.”

Sharee is shaping future generations of medical professionals through her teaching career at The Village School in Houston. She recently took 20 students from the high school’s pre-med program to Camp For All. “I wanted the students to understand the medical side of Camp For All and how campers may be treated and cared for when they’re at Camp. The experience really touched them, and they asked to go back next year,” she said.

Speaking of future generations, Sharee is also eager to have a third-generation member of her family follow in her and her parents’ footsteps toward volunteerism and service. “I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to volunteer at Camp For All,” she said proudly. And we can’t wait to see Mr. Steve’s photos of that memorable day.

Elizabeth and a camper having fun.

Elizabeth Gonzales’ involvement with Camp For All and Emerging Leaders stems from a lifelong passion for meaningful inclusion and advocacy.

As a former respite provider for more than 10 years and a volunteer with Easter Seals Greater Houston, Elizabeth has worked closely with individuals of all abilities, witnessing both the barriers that exist and the unique strengths and talents each individual brings. Her time volunteering at Camp For All was transformative – it reinforced her belief that true inclusion isn’t just about access, but it’s also about creating spaces where everyone is valued, empowered, and celebrated.

As a former development team member at Camp For All, Elizabeth also understands the critical need for advocacy and sustainable support to ensure these life-changing programs continue. She is committed to championing spaces like Camp For All, where every individual, regardless of ability, can experience joy, independence, and belonging.

Through Camp For All Emerging Leaders, Elizabeth hopes to amplify these efforts, ensuring that inclusion is not just a concept, but also a lived reality for all

Tim, Ally, and their children, Charlie and Zoey.

As a husband, father, and Senior Product Manager at Autodesk, Tim Kelly’s experiences at Camp For All taught him invaluable lessons about teamwork, adaptability, and empathy.

Each week, as new groups of campers arrived, it was his duty as a staff member to ensure they felt welcome, engaged, and ready for fun. Because there’s such a large variety of responsibilities for staff members, it was critical for everyone to be flexible and collaborate effectively. Tim and his Camp For All colleagues were constantly adapting to meet the unique needs of each group, ensuring they were safe and comfortable while enjoying every activity.

Camp For All welcomes diverse campers, volunteers, and staff members. Therefore, Tim found it was always important to make sure everyone was included, no matter how much was required to adjust the game or activity. Tim also found that collaborating with a diverse staff was especially important because it provided different perspectives on those situations.

These lessons – and so many more from Camp – have become a core part of Tim’s personal and professional life and benefit him every day. He and his wife Ally, a member of the Camp For All Board of Directors, met at Camp as staff members in 2005. Two decades later, they often find themselves reflecting on their experiences.

The influence of Camp For All extends to Tim and Ally’s personal values and community involvement, as well as Tim’s approach to leadership in his career because of all that Camp provides to campers and staff members. Tim and Ally said their commitment to Camp today is a testament to the magical feeling and pride they get from being a part of the staff at Camp For All.