Our Mission
To develop the skills in our youth that will help them become environmentally aware leaders by promoting appreciation, understanding, and awareness of our natural environment and resources through an educational and fun summer camp experience.
- To promote awareness and understanding of our natural environment
- To increase camper knowledge of native Florida habitats
- To develop leadership skills
- To foster skills to help campers enjoy and appreciate outdoor recreation when not at camp
- To provide leaders and staff the training and resources to educate and promote the goals of FFGC Wekiva Youth Camp
Our Story
- 1945to 1952
A camp on the move
The partnership between the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. and the Florida Park Service for a Conservation Camp has a long history. From 1945 to 1952, Conservation Camp moved around the state, from O’Leno, Gold Head Branch and Fort Clinch State Parks in the north to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in the south.
- 1959July
In the beginning…
A conservation-nature study camp was established in July 1959. First known as “Junior Nature Camp” it was operated by volunteer FFGC members for Junior Gardeners and other Garden Club-sponsored young people. Special emphasis was placed on conservation, nature, ecology, crafts, swimming, boating and recreational sports.
It was organized by Mable “Petunia” Miller of the Bartow Garden Club, who gathered nature and craft leaders, a nurse, a waterfront person and a cook, and a first group of 12 boys and then 12 girls, at Camp Kiwanis on Mill Dam Lake. “Petunia” loved her native state and had a fervent desire to instill in youngsters a love of, concern for, and desire to protect the flora and fauna of Florida.
From 1959 to 1972, Junior Nature Camps were held in the Ocala National Forest and O’Leno State Park.
Also, in 1959, a fund, “The Penny Jar for Little People”, was created for the building of a youth camp. As the fund grew, planning and legal work went forward aimed at bringing the dream of a youth camp to fruition.
- 1966
The first independent camp
After several years of sending Juniors to other camps, the Federation’s first independent camp was opened in 1966 at a leased facility at Lake Eaton Conservation Camp in the Ocala National Forest. The Sears Foundation gave 12 camperships, one for each district.
- 1972
Wekiva is born
In 1972 the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs entered into an agreement with the Florida Department of Natural Resources, Division of Recreation and Parks, wherein a Youth Camp limited to conservation and nature study would be built on Lake Prevatt in the central section of the State, located within Wekiwa Springs State Park, a 6,000 acre unimproved property the State purchased from the Apopka Sportsmen’s Club in 1969.
This historic agreement continues to be the only one of its kind, not only in the state but in the nation.
- 1972
The donations came in!
The 1972 Florida Legislature provided $100,000 in building funds to match the $75,000 provided by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs through contributions secured primarily within Districts. Each District contributing a minimum of $2,500 had a cabin named in its honor.
Jean Villareal spearheaded this “gargantuan” fund drive and obtained the matching funds that built Wekiva Youth Camp, so that the dream of owning our own camp became a reality.
- 1973March 14
Groundbreaking
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held March 14, 1973, for the youth camp facility which includes a dining hall, office/infirmary, staff/volunteer housing, cabins for campers and a craft building. The long-awaited hour was at hand… Florida Federation had its own Youth Camp!
- 1974July 21
Camp becomes official!
The bright and joyous occasion of the dedication of Wekiva Youth Camp by Florida Federation of Garden Clubs President, Mrs. Sidney R. (Berne) Davis on July 21, 1974, on Lake Prevatt near Apopka, could not be dimmed by the overcast skies or falling rain that threatened the ceremony. In our dining hall at camp, we have a plaque dedicating the camp.
That June, the camp gates opened wide as the first 104 eager youngsters were welcomed to camp.
- Since
Growing the campus
Later we would add the Nature Hut, the swimming pool and the Canteen, purchase canoes and continue to enhance the beauty and usefulness of the campus.
- 1982 Nature Hut
- 1984 Swimming pool
- 1995 Canteen
- 1997 Leader cabin porch
- 2001and 2002
New programs
In 2001 the Leaders in Training program began for 9th graders who have completed the 8th grade program. Graduates may be invited to become Counselors in Training the following year, training our leaders for the future.
In 2002 Critter Camp was introduced, a mini-camp for youngsters completing 1st and 2nd grade. It proved so successful that it has become part of the regular camp program.
Wekiva Remembers
Wekiva was built, and is still run, by Garden Club volunteers. Among them were Jean Bates Villareal, known to all as Jean-Jean, and Mrs. Nan Knox, a generous volunteer and donor to Wekiva Youth Camp. Together they ran the 8th grade program from its very beginning, and passed what they knew on to the volunteers who lead it today.
Today a memorial garden at the Youth Camp sign remembers Jean-Jean, and a camp canoe still carries her name down the Wekiva River.
Explore Camp
As you prepare for coming to Wekiva Youth Camp, here are some details you might enjoy.
Wildlife You Might See
You have an excellent chance of catching a glimpse of the wildlife we share space with.
Gopher TortoiseCrossing your path or strolling down the road.
White-Tailed DeerUsually seen in the early morning or as the sun sets, often close to the cabins.
Florida Black BearWe usually spot one at least once a summer. This one strolled past the spring in June 2022. Watch the video →
Zebra Longwing ButterflyLook for these close to the Craft Hall.