When Sgt. Samantha Minnucci became the director of Camp Cadet of Chester County in 2014, her youngest brother, Gabriel Minnucci, was eager to help her set up for the event. After Camp Cadet ended, Gabriel couldn't stop asking his sister about the program and noting how he wanted to enroll in the camp one day. However, Samantha knew that wouldn't be possible because Gabriel has special needs and is over the age limit. As a result, she decided to create a program so that her brother could learn about the law enforcement agencies that serve the local community.

"Gabriel has an amazing personality and lights up any room when he walks into it," said Samantha. "He has the biggest heart and has always been my No. 1 fan in my career choice."

Founded in 2016, Sunny Day Camp is a one-day event where individuals of all ages with special needs and/or disabilities can develop friendships with first responders. Sunny Day formed on the foundation of Camp Cadet of Chester County and has since then been adopted by several Camp Cadet programs across the state, including Camp Cadet of Lancaster County.

"This program also gives our troopers the opportunity to learn more about the special needs communities we serve," commented Pennsylvania State Trooper Kelly Osborne.

This year's Sunny Day Camp hosted by Camp Cadet of Lancaster County will take place on Saturday, May 14, at Lafayette Fire Company, 63 Lafayette Way, Lancaster. Registration will open at 9 a.m., and the event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program is open to people of all ages who live in Lancaster County. The rain-or-shine event will feature static displays of and demonstrations from the canine unit, the bomb squad, SERT, an aviation-rescue helicopter, police vehicles, and emergency equipment. A free lunch will be provided to all attendees, and there will be games, music, and dancing. The camp will conclude with a formal graduation ceremony where participants will receive a certificate, a Sunny Day T-shirt, and a name tag with their photo.

Preregistration is required for participants and accompanying family members and caregivers, and it must be completed by Friday, April 29. To preregister, visit http://campcadetoflancastercounty.com/sunny-day-camp/. For more information, email Osborne at kosbornefi@pa.gov.

Lancaster County's weeklong 2022 Camp Cadet program will run from Sunday, Aug. 14, to Friday, Aug. 19. Registration, which will close on Friday, April 15, is open to boys and girls ages 12 to 14. "We changed the age just for this year to give the kids who may have aged out the opportunity to attend," explained Osborne. The program will be held at Camp John H. Ware, 239 Jubilee Road, Peach Bottom. To learn more, visit http://campcadetoflancastercounty.com/cadet-info/registration/.