Florida Elks Youth Camp

Welcome to the Florida Elks Youth Camp, a truly exceptional destination designed to provide unforgettable summer experiences for Florida's youth. Nestled on a sprawling 405-acre complex in Umatilla, our camp is a project of the Florida State Elks Association, committed to molding the current generation of youth into responsible and compassionate adults. For Florida families seeking a safe, engaging, and enriching sleepaway camp experience for their children, the Florida Elks Youth Camp stands out as a highly recommended choice. We understand that parents across the Sunshine State want a place where their kids can thrive, make new friends, and create lasting memories, and our camp is dedicated to delivering just that.

Our mission is to "inspire, connect, and expand" young minds. We inspire through the quality of our facilities, the dedication of our staff, and the creativity of our programming. We help kids connect with themselves, their peers, their counselors, and nature, all while taking a break from electronics. Through these connections, we expand their compassion for others, boost their self-confidence, and empower them to make a positive impact on the world around them. Parents consistently rave about how well-run and incredible the experience is, noting that their children are so engaged they don't even have time to be homesick. We invite Florida families to explore how our camp can be a transformative summer adventure for their children.

The Florida Elks Youth Camp is conveniently located at 24175 SE Hwy 450, Umatilla, FL 32784, USA. This central Florida location makes it accessible for families from various parts of the state. Umatilla is situated in Marion County, an area known for its beautiful natural landscapes, including rolling hills, forests, and lakes, providing a perfect backdrop for outdoor camp activities. While offering a serene natural environment, the camp remains within reasonable proximity to major transportation routes, ensuring relatively easy travel for drop-off and pick-up for families from across Florida.

For Florida locals, the accessibility of the Florida Elks Youth Camp is a significant advantage. Families don't have to worry about extremely long or complicated journeys to get their children to a high-quality summer camp. The camp also offers a bus program from various districts across Florida (e.g., South District, NWD, SEC District), providing convenient transportation options for many. This makes it easier for children from different regions of the state to attend, fostering a diverse and inclusive camp community. The Umatilla setting offers a refreshing change of scenery for many urban and suburban Florida kids, allowing them to experience the joy of the outdoors in a safe and structured environment.

The Florida Elks Youth Camp is equipped with a wide array of facilities and offers a comprehensive range of services designed to provide a rich and engaging experience for every camper. These services cover everything from accommodation and dining to a diverse program of activities, all supervised by dedicated staff. Here are some of the key services offered:

• Accommodations:
  • Modern cabins with heat, A/C, hot water, and private bathrooms, each sleeping up to 9 campers (7 kids, 2 staff).
  • Hotel-style rooms and executive cabins with private bathrooms are available for adult groups during non-summer camp periods.
  • "Rough camping" (tent camping) area with screen shelter, charcoal grills, ice machine, running water, and access to a comfort station with bathrooms and showers.
• Meal Service: Full-service catering with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided. Ability to accommodate dietary requests.
• Supervised Activities: A wide variety of scheduled activities designed to keep campers engaged and active.
• Lifeguards: Certified lifeguards are on duty for all swimming and lake activities involving youth groups.
• Activity Facilitators: Trained facilitators provided for specialized activities like archery and the ropes course.
• Safety and Supervision: A dedicated staff committed to providing a safe camp experience, contributing to each camper's mental, physical, and social growth.
• First Aid/Medical Support: While not explicitly detailed, standard youth camps like this are expected to have provisions for medical care.
• Scholarship Opportunities: The Elks organization may provide scholarships to campers unable to afford the cost, demonstrating a commitment to accessibility.
• Military Family Program: The 7th week of summer camp is free for dependents of active military members.
• Group Rentals (Non-Summer Camp): The property is available for rental by individual user groups (youth groups under 18) during the rest of the year (outside June and July).

The Florida Elks Youth Camp is renowned for its exceptional features and highlights that create a truly memorable and highly recommended experience for children and families. These aspects make it a standout choice for summer camp in Florida:

• Extensive and Modern Facilities: Situated on a "beautiful and modern 405-acre complex," the camp boasts an impressive range of amenities, including two full-size and shaded swimming pools (Bates Aquatic Center), a large lake for canoeing and pedal boating, a multi-lane archery range (Archery Center), a gymnasium with three full-size basketball courts (Grafton "recreation" Center), and a premier Challenge Ropes Course (Lynn Warburton Adventure & Education Course).
• Diverse Activity Programming: Campers have "so many things to do and play," ensuring there's "not even enough time for them to be homesick." Activities include swimming, canoeing, pedal boating, archery, gym and ballfield recreation, frisbee golf, outdoor sand volleyball, and gaga ball pits.
• Exceptional Staff and Counselors: Parents consistently praise the staff and counselors as "amazing" and "so well run." This high level of professionalism and care ensures a nurturing and positive environment for the campers.
• Focus on Holistic Development: The camp's motto, "inspire, connect, and expand," highlights its commitment to fostering compassion, self-confidence, and a desire to make an impact on the world, going beyond just recreational fun. They help kids build connections without electronics.
• Safe and Accredited Environment: The camp is accredited by the American Camping Association, signifying adherence to high standards of safety and programming.
• Positive First Sleepaway Camp Experience: As evidenced by parent testimonials, the camp excels at providing a fantastic first-time sleepaway camp experience, easing parental nerves and creating immediate excitement for return visits.
• Support for Military Families and Special Needs Groups: The dedication of the 7th week to active military families (free attendance) and the ability to serve special-needs groups during the off-season showcases the camp's inclusive and charitable mission.
• "Incredible Time" Guarantee: Children's enthusiastic reports of having an "incredible time" and immediately wanting to return demonstrate the profound positive impact the camp has on its participants.

For more information about the Florida Elks Youth Camp, including summer camp registration, group rentals, or general inquiries, please use the contact details provided below. We encourage Florida families to reach out early, especially for popular summer sessions, as spots fill quickly. Our dedicated team is eager to answer your questions and help your child embark on an unforgettable summer adventure.

Address: 24175 SE Hwy 450, Umatilla, FL 32784, USA

Phone: (352) 431-8701

Mobile Phone: +1 352-431-8701

The Florida Elks Youth Camp is an ideal choice for Florida locals seeking a premier, safe, and incredibly enriching summer camp experience for their children. For parents across the Sunshine State, the camp offers peace of mind, knowing their kids are in a "so well run" and "amazing" environment. Its extensive 405-acre complex boasts a wide array of activities, from swimming and canoeing to archery and a ropes course, ensuring that children ages 9-13 are constantly engaged and inspired. The fact that kids "cannot stop talking about everything that they did" and "cannot wait to return to camp next year" speaks volumes about the quality of the experience.

What truly makes this camp suitable for Floridians is not just its impressive facilities and diverse programs, but also its core mission to "inspire, connect, and expand" the youth, fostering self-confidence and compassion. The accessibility from various parts of Florida, coupled with the Elks' commitment to community, including support for military families and scholarships, makes this camp truly inclusive. If you're a Florida parent looking for a camp that provides more than just fun – one that actively contributes to your child's mental, physical, and social growth in a safe and electronics-free setting – the Florida Elks Youth Camp comes "highly recommend!" It's where Florida kids can truly be kids and create incredible, lasting memories.

Florida Elks Youth Camp

24175 SE Hwy 450, Umatilla, FL 32784, USA