Wekiva Youth Camp a residential
nature camp for 3rd through 8th grade youngsters,
sponsored by the Florida Federation
of Garden Clubs (FFGC)
with the purpose of instilling a love and
respect for the “Real” Florida in our youth,
as well as a knowledge of
nature, the importance of conservation, and the protection of our
environment.
WEKIVA CRITTER
CAMP
A two night mini-camp experience for those
who have completed K – 2nd Grade.
Wekiva Youth Camp is comprised of six one-week sessions during June to
July and is located in Wekiwa Springs State Park, where FFGC partners
with the Florida Parks Service to maintain the camp. It is
non-profit and self-supporting, and is accredited by the American Camp
Association.
All who attend or serve at our camp have an unforgettable experience
enjoying nature, crafts, and the beauty of the natural world in a
magical, beautiful and pristine setting. Campers should be interested
in nature and like the outdoors. They do not have to be a Florida
resident and we welcome participation without regard to race, color,
religion or ethnicity. At Camp our boys and girls enjoy a unique
outdoor living and learning experience, with close supervision. They
explore the beauty of wild Florida, enjoy the plants and animals of
Wekiva and discover the importance of conservation for the future of
our state and our planet. Our motto for our youth is
"Campers Today – Environmental Leaders Tomorrow”
Location
Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka, FL. 32712
Just north of Orlando. Wekiwa Springs Road, off State Road 434.
Our telephone number during camp is (407) 884-2019.
Enter Park at Welch Road Gate, Counselors will direct you Map
Programs and Activities
Campers participate in the following activities throughout their stay
at camp:
• Nature Study including Nature Hikes and Nature
Photography
• Crafts
• Field Sports
• Bicycling
• Swimming in the Camp Pool and at the Springs
• Night Rides
• Skit Night
• Evening Programs
• Campfires & S’mores
Camp Wekiva offers programs for children from kindergarten through 8th
Grade, based on the most recently completed grade at the time of camp,
with accommodations for up to 104 campers each week.
Kindergarten- 2nd grade: Critter Camp
3rd – 6th grade: Entire Summer Session
7th grade: Tent Camping (offered on select weeks)
8th grade: Environmental Education/Canoeing Program (offered on select
weeks)
The 7th Grade Program offers campers the outdoor experience first-hand.
Campers get a taste of truly living in nature, spending 2-3 days and
nights at a camp site less than a mile from the main camp. They learn
how to tent camp, cook over an open fire, and build everlasting
friendships while learning the importance of teamwork, as well as about
nature and the natural environment. Away from the rest of the
camp, boys and girls learn the true meaning of responsibly and
determination in a fun and adventurous environment.
The 8th Grade Program is also known as Environmental Education (EE). EE
focuses on building leadership skills which will stay with boys and
girls long after their week at Camp! These skills are fostered through
the week as campers learn to canoe, an activity which will help them
learn team building, communication, and problem solving. Campers also
learn and see first hand the importance of Florida's water systems and
the human impact upon them.
Our Staff
John Morand, Director
&
Mickey Quigly Assistant Director
Director:
John
Morand, Wekiva Youth Camp Director, E-mail:
campwekivadirector@hotmail.com
Registrar: Margaret
Kirkpatrick, 481 Wild Oak Circle, Longwood, FL 32779, E-mail:
wekivaregistrar@gmail.com, 407-574-8009
Under the supervision of Wekiva Youth Camp’s Chairman, the Wekiva staff
consists of a Director, Assistant Director, Waterfront Director, as
well as Senior and Junior Counselors,
Counselors in Training, Lifeguards, and many Volunteers.
Volunteers include members of FFGC’s Garden Clubs from around the state
as well as highly qualified members of the environmental community, and
our infirmary is staffed by a registered nurse twenty-four/seven.
Our kitchen staff, headed by our excellent “5-Star” Chef Bettie,
provides three hearty meals each day.
Many members of the staff are former Wekiva campers and counselors, and
background checks are required for all who interact with the campers.
Instructors:
Garden
Club volunteers and paid staff.
Camp Nurse:
Garden
Club volunteer - trained in nursing
Counselors: 11th
&
12th grade & college age selected.
CIT Counselor in Training:
9th
&
10th
graders.
Swimming instructor:
Paid
qualified
instructor
Security person
Cook and helpers
CAMP FEES
Registration
Activity
Fee
Processing
Total
Fee
Camper Not Sponsored by a Garden
Club
$275.00
+
$35.00
+
$5.00
=
$315.00
Camper Sponsored by a Garden Club
$200.00
+
$35.00
+
$5.00
=
$240.00
Camper Child/Grandchild
w/Volunteer
$100.00
+
$35.00
+
$5.00
=
$140.00
Scholarships are available based on financial need and deservedness,
awarded on a first-come basis. Scholarship
Application, PDF
Camp fees cover housing, meals, sports, waterfront activities,
programs, staff salaries and administration costs. Our Director
and Staff plan and supervise the camp sports program, field trips and
special day/evening programs. Adult Garden Club Volunteer
specialists from all over the state lead programs that emphasize nature
study, conservation and crafts.
