Inaugural Camp Summer Smiles creates magic for children
July 16, 2025
Fifty young people with disabilities and their siblings enjoyed a summer camp experience – many for the first time – in July 2025 thanks to a pilot project between Limitless Purpose and Camp Cole.
Camp Summer Smiles Day Camp, held at the state-of-the-art Camp Cole in Eastover, was filled with laughter, adventure and unforgettable moments. From arts and crafts to water fun, every minute was made brighter by the spirit and energy of our incredible campers of all abilities.
“This week reminded us what camp is truly all about – connection, inclusion and celebrating every single smile, “ says Kelsey Carter, Camp Cole’s Cofounder and executive director.
It was an absolute joy to watch these young people grow in confidence, try new things, make friends and share laughter in a space built on love, support and belonging, Carter added. Campers spent time at the pool, fishing at the waterfront, playing games, doing arts and crafts and enjoying the sensory gym, among other activities.
Limitless Purpose, a statewide nonprofit celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2025, hosted its annual event in March at Camp Cole. When nearly 200 people attended, the organizations decided to pilot a summer day camp to determine how to best serve these families year round.
“Children with disabilities and their families have few, if any, opportunities for summer fun,” says Padgett Mozingo, Cofounder and President of Limitless Purpose. “Families send siblings off to summer camp while they struggle to find activities for their children with physical or intellectual disabilities.”
Every child deserves summer fun, as well as opportunities and options to help them thrive. Limitless Purpose exists because of the struggles Mozingo’s family faced in finding inclusive educational and recreational opportunities for their own daughter Lila, who has Down syndrome.
Interested in learning how to support Limitless Purpose and more inclusive camps and programs like this one? Visit LimitlessPurpose.org or contact Padgett Mozingo at [email protected].
Limitless Purpose is a statewide nonprofit working to help all children grow, learn and thrive.
