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In 1995, while recuperating at Shands Hospital from heart transplant surgery, Eddie Mulock witnessed the plight of many children with disabilities and chronic illnesses. During his extended stay, he wondered what these children did away from the hospital. These musings turned into a dream; to build a camp for children with special needs. By 1996, Eddie had founded the Foundation for Dreams, a non-profit dedicated to building and funding Dream Oaks Camp.

In August of 2000, the Foundation for Dreams formed a collaborative partnership with the Southwest Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America. This effort allowed the Foundation to build Dream Oaks Camp on the grounds of Camp Flying Eagle, thereby utilizing the existing facilities and focusing on refurbishing older buildings. In addition, the Foundation leased 10 acres of Camp Flying Eagle for 30 years, providing space for the construction of cabins and allowing the Board of Directors to concentrate on a long term vision of providing camping programs to children with special needs on a year-round basis. The Foundation for Dreams and Dream Oaks Camp remain independent from the Boy Scouts of America.

By summer 2001, Dream Oaks Camp welcomed its first set of campers. Children between the ages of six and eighteen who have physical or mental disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses and those considered "at risk" were riding horses, canoeing on the Manatee River, up to their elbows in arts and crafts and singing along to camp songs. In the camp's debut, 56 children experienced Dream Oaks Camp.

During camp 2002, over 150 children participated in the fun and games, while learning to enjoy their independence, strengthen their life management skills and participate in activities with other children in an inclusive barrier-free environment. Renovations were completed on the Manatee Memorial Hospital Infirmary and Splash Pool Complex. In May, the newly constructed Neal Nature Center was dedicated. For the first time, Dream Oaks Camp hosted residential camps on a weekly basis. Campfires and night hikes were a welcome addition to the existing program schedule. 

Throughout the fall and spring, camping programs were expanded to include weekend retreats for children and adults with special needs. In an effort to provide special experiences to more children, an additional week of camp was added to the summer schedule, focusing on outdoor adventure and sports. The board of directors is also looking to include family and sibling weekend camps a new aspect of Dream Oaks Camp programming.

Since the summer of 2003 seven cabins have been constructed, furnished and decorated for the children and counselors’ overnight stay. Each cabin is equipped with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, can sleep up to twenty persons, and is completely accessible to meet the needs of the children we serve. Up to ten or twelve campers share a cabin and rooms with the counselors they are paired with during the week.

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