1970s

1975:  The Georgia Jaycee Wives (GJW) held a fundraiser.  Having children of their own, they decided to apply the money to a summer camp for "handicapped kids".  

Upon further research, they discovered that there wasn't any camps for handicapped children in Georgia. The largest nonprofit organization serving individuals with disabilities at that time was the Easter Seals Society. Therefore, they developed a relationship with the Georgia Easter Seals Society (GESS) and pursued building a camp for children with disabilities that would be called Camp Dream.

1980s

1981:  Since discussions and negotiations had been going back and forth with GESS, the GJW decided to expand the concept. Research revealed that the only facility that recognized handicapped children in any capacity in the entire State of Georgia was the Rehabilitation Center at Roosevelt Institute in Warm Springs. 

Hence, Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation (RWSIR) and the Georgia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS, the overseeing agency of RWSIR at the time) were brought into the negotiations.

1982:  The GJW formed the Georgia Jaycettes Foundation, Inc. (GJF) to be the trustees of the funding and pursue the task of building the camp. GESS, with the cooperation of RWSIR and GJF contracted an architectural firm for the design of the camp.  A resolution by the Georgia General Assembly then declared the property "appropriate for the joint needs" of RWSIR & GESS.

1985:  Construction began on the dam at RWSIR.  Trent Sanford was elected as the President of the GJF.

1988:  The dam at RWSIR was completed and the filling of the lake began.

1990s

1991: Gary Tilt was elected as President of the Camp Dream Foundation. Under his leadership, a major fundraising campaign was launched and over $4,000,000 was raised through grants, brick sales, and Jaycee chapter projects. 

RWSIR & GJF agree to "jointly pursue development of Camp Dream." In the words of Marge Smith, former Director of Development for RWSIR, "Keeping in mind that the above events dragged on for some fifteen years, the events of the next six months happened with the speed of lightning." GJF contracted for the engineering and installation of water & sewer to camp site – approximately $70,000. The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation grant of $150,000, the Francis Wood Wilson Foundation grant of $75,000, and the Callaway Foundation grant of $300,000 were received to aid the development of the summer camp facility.

1992:  Construction began on Callaway Lodge, and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the Lanier Lodge.

1993:  RWSIR qualified for federal matching funds of $4,800,000.  Camp Dream concept expanded to be a component of the Center for Therapeutic Recreation – total cost $9,600,000. GJF & RWSIR secured the assistance of Vince Dooley as Honorary Campaign Chairman. The Georgia Jaycees contributed $200,000 to the effort. Fundraising efforts reached $2,400,000.

1994:  Georgia Jaycees contributed $50,000 to the effort.

1995:  Mike Frost was elected as the Camp Dream Foundation President. The Goals of the GJF for the year 1995/96 included a priority "to create and maximize opportunities for recognition of Jaycee contributions to creating the summer camp facility."

1996:  GJF and CTR dedicated and opened the grounds to athletes training for the 1996 Paralympic Games. Georgia Jaycees contributed approximately $50,000 for a bus to transport campers to and from both locations. Under foundation President Mike Frost, the first camp session initiated served seven Campers. Mike Frost also served as the first Camp Director.

1997:  An additional $40,000 was raised and a bus was purchased by the Georgia Jaycees and donated to the Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Institute. 

1998-99:  Mike Frost continued to serve as both Foundation President and Camp Director for the third and fourth annual camp sessions.

2000s

2000:  Denise Bauer takes over as Foundation President and Camp Director for the fifth annual camp session. 

2001:  Remaining under Denise's leadership, the Foundation celebrated the sixth annual camp session that served 30 Campers. Pam Frost joins as Camp Co-Director. 

2002:  Denise continues to serve as the Foundation President while Pam Frost moves into the Camp Director position for the seventh annual camp session. Beverly Taylor served as Co-Director. The camp increased to serve 40 Campers. Junior Counselors are introduced to the camping sessions. 

2003:  Ribbon cutting ceremonies for the Bathhouse that was built for the outdoor swimming pool. Georgia Jaycees name resides on the Bathhouse as a major donor. Mike Ringel is elected as Foundation President. Pam and Beverly continue to serve as Camp Director and Co-Director, respectively, for the 8th annual camp session. Camp sessions expanded to serve 45 Campers with the theme, "Express Yourself!"

2004:  Kay Buchanan was elected to serve as Foundation President, Beverly moved up to serve as Camp Director while Lori Palo stepped in as Co-Director for the 9th annual camp session. This camp session served 42 Campers with a "Circus" theme.

2005:  Lori Palo is elected as Foundation President. Beverly and Lori continue to serve as Camp Director and Co-Director, respectively, for the 10th annual camp session which served 40 Campers with a "Pirate" theme.

2006:  While Lori continued to serve as Foundation President, she graduated to serve as Camp Director. Pam Kachmar serves as Co-Director for the 11th annual camping session which served 44 Campers with a "Racing" theme.

2007:  Pam is elected as Foundation President. Lori and Pam continued to serve as Camp Director and Co-Director, for the 12th annual camp session which served 45 Campers.

2008: The inaugural Camp Out session took place at a water park in Helen, GA. Pam continued to serve as Foundation President and graduated to serve as Camp Director. Beverly Taylor served as Co-Director for the 13th annual camp session.

2009:  JR Clark is elected as Foundation President. Pam and Beverly continue to serve as Camp Director and Co-Director, for the 14th annual camp session which served 50 Campers. The theme was "Renaissance". Camp Dream became certified as a "Guide Star" nonprofit group.

2010s

2010:  JR Clark continues to serve as Foundation President. Beverly moves up to serve as Camp Director, while Amber Hamby steps in as Co-Director for the 15th annual camp session. This camp session served 53 Campers with a "Wacky and Tacky" theme. 

2011:  The Foundation officially changed their name from the Georgia Jaycettes Foundation to Camp Dream Foundation. This 16th anniversary marks the first year for holding multiple camp sessions. The three sessions served a total of 116 Campers with a "Pirate" theme.

2012:  The number of camp sessions increased to four and served a total of 157 Campers with a "Super Heroes" theme.

2013:  During the 18th Anniversary, the number of camp sessions increased to five and served a total of 200 Campers with a "Harry Potter" theme.

2014:  During the 19th Anniversary, The Foundation proudly entered into a relationship with Yvette Pegues, Ms. Wheelchair USA, as its National Spokesperson. Chassity Carter and Sarah Meadows served as co-Camp Directors while Campers enjoyed "Wild West" themed sessions.

2015:  Camp Dream celebrates its 20th Anniversary and was commended by the Georgia General Assembly, by declaring March 18th as Camp Dream Day. Kassie Phillips served as the Camp Director, themed "Dr. Seuss". The 'Camp Dream Team' participated in over 50 local community events throughout Georgia.

2016: Camp Dream continued to host four summer camp sessions, serving nearly 200 Campers. The theme was "Weird Science". Camp Dream initiated its Horses and Hula Hoops Camp Out, in partnership with the Easterseals West Georgia held at the Exchange Club Horse Park in Phenix City, AL. The Camp Dream Team participated in over 60 local community events throughout Georgia.

2017: During its 22nd year of summer camp, Camp Dream served nearly 200 Campers. The theme was "Star Wars" and Kassie Phillips served as Camp Director. Horses and Hula Hoops Camp Out program was expanded to Milledgeville, GA in partnership with the Milledgeville Jaycees and held for the 2nd year in Phenix City, AL in partnership with CherAmi Farms and SPARK Art. The Camp Dream Team participated in over 60 local community events throughout Georgia. Acquired 337 acre former Girl Scout camp in Cuthbert, GA.

2018: The Camp Grace facility in Roberta, GA helped save Camp Dream, 92 Campers were served during one 4-day session. Held Camp Out in Milledgeville and Columbus, serving about 450 participants. UGA College of Environment + Design completed Cuthbert Master Plans. Cuthbert property was devastated by Hurricane Michael causing over $400k in damages.

2019: Camp Dream hosted two Summer Camp sessions in Roberta, GA, serving 149 Campers. The inaugural Savannah Camp Out was held in partnership with Easterseals Southern GA, Pegasus Riding Academy and the Savannah Jaycees.