Happy Trails For Kids was established in 1993 by Palisadian Pepper Edmiston to give recreational opportunities to children who have physical or mental disabilities or serious illness. The nonprofit organization was originally inspired by Edmiston’s son, David, who was brain-damaged and epileptic as the result of chemotherapy treatment as a child: he passed away from an aggressive seizure in February. This year, under the leadership of two of Edmiston’s children Jon and Susan Abrams, both graduates of Palisades Charter High School, UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School, a weeklong camp will be added for children who are in foster care. Volunteers are sought for the new camp and are needed for eight days as cabin counselors or as part-time activity specialists. There will be a training program prior to the beginning of camp. UCLA students can earn two units of credit for volunteering the full week. The residential camp program held in Malibu, is cost-free to participants ages 8 to 13, and runs from August 30 through September 6. Activities include riding, hiking, surfing, swimming, a ropes course and campfires. Campers will return home with a photo album, t-shirt, sleeping bag and, most importantly, with memories of the fun and friendship that camp provides. In addition to Jon and Susan’s participation, brothers Matt and Ben Abrams will serve as cabin counselors, William Edmiston will teach music and Charlie Edmiston will shoot photographs. Shannon (Jon’s wife) will act as the camp therapist. In honoring the memory of their big brother, David, the Abrams and Edmistons hope to bring happiness and adventure to campers. Meanwhile, Happy Trails for Kids will continue its work by providing a dude ranch stay for children with disabilities and their families at the Alisal Ranch in Solvang. Also in operation is Happy Trails Farm at Ramirez Canyon Park in Malibu, a day program for students in L.A. City Special Education classes, who visit during the school year. ‘Most of the Happy Trails’ boys and girls come from urban settings, where exposure to the natural world is rare, if not nonexistent,’ Susan Abrams said. ‘All of our programs begin with the inherent calmness, freedom and healing qualities of the great outdoors. There is extensive interaction with animals. Riding a horse for the first time creates an enormous sense of accomplishment for a child, and the chance to help care for farm animals can be both empowering and therapeutic.’ For more infromation, visit www.happytrailsforkids.org or call Susan Abrams at (310) 207-1544.
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