Central Florida Youth & Family Camp: Faith, Fun, and Fellowship in St. Cloud

Central Florida Youth & Family Camp Introduce

Welcome to Central Florida Youth & Family Camp, an expansive and purpose-driven Christian camp dedicated to fostering spiritual, physical, social, and mental development for youth and families in the heart of Florida. More than just a campground in the traditional sense, this 100-acre facility serves as a vibrant hub for transformative experiences, offering a diverse array of summer camps, weekend retreats, and events throughout the year. For Floridians seeking a faith-centered environment where children can grow, families can bond, and individuals can deepen their spiritual connection, Central Florida Youth & Family Camp (often referred to as Central Florida Bible Camp) provides an ideal setting. In a state known for its thrilling attractions and beautiful coastlines, this camp offers a valuable alternative – a place where meaningful relationships are built, outdoor activities are embraced, and spiritual growth is encouraged. We understand that parents and group leaders look for safe, enriching, and well-managed environments for youth programs and family gatherings. This article will delve into what makes Central Florida Youth & Family Camp a truly suitable choice for locals, highlighting its comprehensive programs, its strategic location, and the impressive range of facilities and activities available.

Central Florida Youth & Family Camp is strategically located at 3600 Deer Park Rd, St. Cloud, FL 34773, USA. This address places it within Osceola County, a region that beautifully blends natural landscapes with growing communities. While offering a serene and immersive camp environment, its location ensures good accessibility for residents across Central Florida. St. Cloud is a city known for its historic downtown, Lake Tohopekaliga, and its proximity to major Florida attractions. The camp is situated away from the immediate urban sprawl, providing a sense of natural escape, yet it remains within a reasonable driving distance from larger metropolitan areas like Orlando, Kissimmee, and Melbourne. This means that families and groups traveling from various parts of Central Florida can easily reach the camp. Essential services, including grocery stores, medical facilities, and various dining options, are accessible in nearby St. Cloud, ensuring practical needs are met during stays. The location also offers a unique balance for attendees: they can enjoy the peaceful and focused camp experience while still being close enough to Florida's world-famous theme parks, attractions, and cultural centers for pre- or post-camp visits. The camp's setting amidst Florida's natural environment also provides opportunities for outdoor exploration, complementing the structured activities within the camp. The blend of a dedicated, spiritual retreat with convenient regional access makes Central Florida Youth & Family Camp an excellent choice for a variety of programs and events.

Central Florida Youth & Family Camp offers a comprehensive range of services and facilities designed to support its mission of spiritual, physical, social, and mental development. The camp is primarily a venue for organized programs and group rentals rather than individual public camping.

Summer Camp Sessions: The busiest time of year, with seven summer sessions generally held from mid-June through late July. These sessions cater to various age groups, from kindergarten through high school, with specific programs designed for each.
Winter Camp: Held annually over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in January, specifically designed for middle and high school students.
Year-Round Retreats & Events: The camp sponsors various retreats aimed at building stronger families, promoting friendships, and encouraging spiritual growth. These include Mother/Daughter Retreats, Latina Ladies Retreats, Scrap-the-Weekend events, Lads 'n Dads Father/Son Retreats, Spring Fling & Corn Roast, Father/Daughter Retreats, Fall Festival & Barbecue, and Bible Alive! / A Walk Thru the Bible.
Facility Rentals: Central Florida Youth & Family Camp is a popular venue for external groups, including church groups, scouts, schools, and families, to host their own retreats, reunions, or other events. Guests can reserve all or part of the camp facilities.
Accommodations: The camp features eight air-conditioned cabins, each equipped with 10 bunk beds to accommodate 20 people. There are also 16 tent sites with access to a central bathhouse, and three RV sites with hookups. Specialized trailers for priesthood leaders are also available for rental when not in use for Young Women Camps.
Catering Services: Catering for meals is available for groups renting the facilities, providing convenience for event planning.
Large & Small Pavilions: Screened, multi-functional areas for meals and activities, complete with covered cooking areas, large gas burners, griddles, a large Brazilian Barbecue fireplace, and seating for up to 192 people in the Large Pavilion.
Bath House: A large, centrally located, air-conditioned bathhouse with flush toilets, sinks, private hot showers, and handicap-accessible accommodations.
Administrative Building: Houses the office, restrooms with showers, and a multi-purpose room.

Central Florida Youth & Family Camp offers an impressive array of features and highlights that make it a robust and engaging venue for its various programs and rentals.

Extensive Recreational Activities: The camp boasts a wide range of activities including a thrilling Zip Line, a challenging Leap of Faith, and a comprehensive Challenge/COPE Course designed to enhance leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Water-Based Fun: Guests can enjoy the use of five canoes and three peddle boats on Lake Liahona (swimming is not allowed). There's also a 250-foot long Waterslide located on a berm for cooling off.
Fishing Opportunities: Registered campers are allowed to fish in Lake Liahona or the Canal on the property, with all state fishing laws applying and a catch-and-release policy for largemouth bass over 18 inches.
Sports Facilities: A large activities field is available for full-sized soccer games and softball. There's also a 5-hole Frisbee golf course and a "Rain Cloud" (60' diameter sandy area with sprinklers) for cooling off after games.
Rifle Range: A rifle range is provided, with specific rules requiring an NRA certified range master and use of .22 rifles (ammunition not provided).
Hiking Trails: Various hiking trails are available, including a five-mile hike named Connie's Trail, connecting the campsite to an amphitheater.
Amphitheater and Fire Rings: A large amphitheater with bench seating and a stage is available, along with designated fire rings behind each cabin and tent site, and a large fire ring for group activities.
Volunteer-Staffed Programs: Summer camp sessions and many retreats are coordinated and staffed by dedicated volunteers who are faithful members of Churches of Christ, passionate about serving youth and providing Christian examples.
Spiritual Development Focus: Programs and activities emphasize Bible study and spiritual growth, with morning and evening rallies.
Comprehensive Facilities for Groups: With spacious cabins, pavilions with cooking facilities, and a large walk-in refrigerator/pantry, the camp is well-equipped to handle large groups and events, including providing seating for 192 people in the Large Pavilion.

For direct inquiries about programs, facility rentals, or general information regarding Central Florida Youth & Family Camp (Central Florida Bible Camp), please use the following contact details:

Address: 3600 Deer Park Rd, St. Cloud, FL 34773, USA (Note: The provided information initially listed "Florida 34773, USA" but further search refined the address to St. Cloud, which is within the 34773 zip code.)

Phone: While a direct general phone number for the entire camp isn't prominently displayed as a single point of contact for all inquiries, information suggests that for specific needs:

Camp Office/General Inquiries: (For specific group rentals or inquiries, it's best to use contact forms or direct emails often found on their official website, cfbiblecamp.org).

The website (cfbiblecamp.org) is the primary resource for detailed program schedules, registration, and contact forms for various departments.

In conclusion, Central Florida Youth & Family Camp in St. Cloud is an exceptionally suitable and valuable resource for locals, particularly families, youth groups, and churches across Florida. Its primary appeal lies in its unwavering commitment to providing a safe, structured, and spiritually enriching environment, as evidenced by its volunteer-driven programs and focus on Christian values. For Floridians seeking an alternative to commercial attractions, this camp offers a profound opportunity for children to engage in wholesome outdoor activities, learn valuable life skills through challenge courses and sports, and participate in meaningful Bible study. The sheer breadth of its facilities, from comfortable air-conditioned cabins and RV sites to expansive pavilions with cooking areas, makes it highly versatile for various types of groups and events, including family reunions and church retreats. Its location, offering both a serene natural setting and convenient access to Central Florida's amenities, enhances its practicality. While it operates primarily for organized programs rather than individual drop-in camping, the comprehensive nature of its offerings—including exciting summer camps and a packed schedule of year-round retreats—makes it a truly unique and beneficial institution for fostering growth, fellowship, and unforgettable memories within the Florida community.