Do you remember the first time you walked into a room where you didn’t know anyone? The uncertainty. The nervousness. The hope that someone might say hello first. Many guests arrive at Quest’s Camp Thunderbird feeling exactly that way.
Summer Camp Friendships that Last
Nicole began attending Camp Thunderbird more than 15 years ago after another camp she attended had closed. Unsure of what to expect, she arrived knowing no one.
“I was shy, and I didn’t know anybody at the time,” Nicole says. “I’m like, ‘Who are these people?’ Then from there, I met my friend Sammy, and I met even more people and came out of my bubble.”
Over the years, Camp Thunderbird became more than a summer tradition. It became a community. Nicole looked forward to reconnecting with friends each summer, bonding over favorite activities like arts and crafts, swimming, karaoke and talent shows.
When her longtime friend and housemate Danielle was looking for a new experience, Nicole encouraged her to give Camp Thunderbird a try. The two women, who have been friends for 15 years and live in the same community, arrived at camp together. While Nicole already felt at home, Danielle was experiencing many of the same nerves Nicole once felt.
But it didn’t take long for those first-day nerves to fade. Through shared cabins, camp activities and simple conversations, Danielle began building friendships of her own. Now in her third year, Danielle looks forward to returning each summer to reunite with friends and make new memories alongside Nicole.
A Place to Belong
Nicole and Danielle’s experiences reflect what Camp Thunderbird is designed to create: meaningful friendships, greater confidence and opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to experience the same independence and social connections many people enjoy every day.
“We all want to do things outside of home. We go on vacations, hang out with our friends, and our guests get an opportunity to come here and do that as well,” says Meggie Hall, program director at Camp Thunderbird. “When they’re here, they can be themselves with no judgment in a place where they are safe and loved.”
Whether guests arrive with a friend by their side or step off the bus knowing no one at all, Camp Thunderbird has a way of turning introductions into friendships and strangers into a community. For Nicole and Danielle, those friendships are what keep them coming back year after year.
“It’s a fun and fantastic experience, and you’ll meet different people and learn about their disabilities,” Danielle says. “I really love Camp Thunderbird. I’ll be coming every year.”
About Quest’s Camp Thunderbird
Quest’s Camp Thunderbird provides overnight camp experiences for adults with developmental disabilities in Florida. Guests enjoy choice-based programming, recreational activities and opportunities to build meaningful friendships in a safe, supportive environment. Through shared experiences and community, Camp Thunderbird helps guests develop confidence, independence and lifelong connections.
To learn more about Camp Thunderbird, support the program or inquire about future camp sessions, visit QuestInc.org.
