Looking for a private group retreat venue in Florida? Orange Springs Retreat Center is an exclusive-use retreat venue on more than 100 private acres bordering the Ocala National Forest.
Every reservation includes exclusive use of the entire campus, giving your group complete privacy for lodging, dining, meetings, recreation, and team-building activities.
Whether you’re planning a weekend church retreat, a student leadership program, a corporate team-building event, or a nonprofit gathering, Orange Springs Retreat Center offers the privacy, flexibility, and amenities needed to create an exceptional group retreat experience.
At a Glance
- 100+ acre private campus bordering the Ocala National Forest
- Exclusive-use property — one group at a time
- Overnight accommodations for 60–200 guests
- 200+ beds in climate-controlled cabins
- Chef-prepared, customizable meals
- Private spring-fed lake with white-sand beach
- Multiple meeting rooms plus theater with AV equipment
- Sports courts & fields (tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer)
- High & low ropes course with zip lines (facilitation available)
- Convenient location: ~35 minutes from Ocala • ~40 minutes from Gainesville • ~90 minutes from Orlando, Tampa & Jacksonville
Our Legacy: Family-Owned Excellence Since 1971
What began in 1971 as Camp Shalom—a beloved Florida summer camp founded by the Sokol family—was transformed in 2002 by Mike Sokol into Orange Springs Retreat Center, a year-round exclusive-use retreat venue designed specifically for private groups. For more than two decades, we’ve welcomed schools, churches, youth organizations, corporations, nonprofits, and other organizations seeking meaningful retreat experiences in a private setting.
The True Exclusive-Use Advantage for Group Retreats
At Orange Springs, “exclusive use” means one group at a time—always. Your group never shares cabins, dining facilities, meeting spaces, recreational areas, or activity schedules with outside guests. This private, distraction-free environment allows participants to stay focused on building relationships, developing leadership skills, strengthening teamwork, and achieving the goals of your retreat.
This model creates the focused environment groups need to achieve real outcomes:
- Church and faith-based groups experience deeper worship, fellowship, and spiritual renewal.
- High school and youth groups benefit from safe, supervised spaces ideal for leadership development and bonding.
- Corporate and organizational teams achieve higher engagement and stronger relationships.
Learn why exclusive-use venues deliver superior results → Why Exclusive-Use Retreat Venues Create Better Group Outcomes for Groups
Prime Central Florida Location
Orange Springs Retreat Center offers the ideal balance of peaceful seclusion and convenient access. Surrounded by the Ocala National Forest and centered around a private, crystal-clear spring-fed lake with a white-sand beach, our campus provides a distraction-free setting where groups can focus on learning, leadership, team-building, worship, and meaningful connection.
Located approximately 35 minutes from Ocala, 40 minutes from Gainesville, and about 90 minutes from Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, our central Florida location makes travel convenient for groups from across the state and the Southeast.
Comfortable Accommodations & Flexible Facilities
Whether you’re hosting a leadership retreat, church retreat, school program, or corporate offsite, our facilities are designed specifically for overnight group experiences.
- Climate-controlled cabins with more than 200 beds
- Multiple meeting rooms for breakout sessions, workshops, and small groups
- Dedicated theater/lecture room with audiovisual equipment
- Spacious dining hall for chef-prepared group meals
- Outdoor pavilions, campfire areas, and gathering spaces
- Private waterfront, sports facilities, and recreational areas all within walking distance
Every cabin, meeting space, dining facility, recreational area, and outdoor venue is reserved exclusively for your group throughout your stay, ensuring complete privacy and uninterrupted programming.Extensive Activities & Amenities Included
Activities & Amenities Included with Your Group Retreat
Your retreat package includes 24/7 access to a wide range of recreational facilities and group activities, allowing your organization to build a schedule that fits your goals without coordinating with outside vendors or sharing amenities with other groups.
Waterfront Activities
Enjoy exclusive access to our private spring-fed lake and white-sand beach.
* Swimming
* Fishing (bass)
* Canoes
* Kayaks
* Paddleboards
* Water park featuring a slide, water trampoline, and climbing iceberg
_______
Team-Building & Adventure Activities
Strengthen communication, leadership, and teamwork through a variety of outdoor experiences.
* High ropes course with zip lines (facilitation available)
* Low ropes course
* Archery range with on-site instructor
* Evening campfires overlooking the lake
________
Sports & Recreation
Our campus offers plenty of space for organized competitions, free time, and recreational activities.
* Four hard-surface tennis courts
* Indoor basketball court
* Outdoor basketball court
* Soccer field
* Indoor and outdoor volleyball, including beach volleyball
* Gaga ball
* Kickball
* Tetherball
* Dodgeball
* Large open fields for group games and activities
Explore activity ideas tailored for group retreats → The Best Team-Building Activities for Group Retreats
Value Comparison: Orange Springs vs. Alternatives for Your Florida Group Retreat
Many retreat planners compare Orange Springs Retreat Center with hotels, conference centers, state parks, and shared summer camps. While every venue has strengths, exclusive-use retreat centers provide a fundamentally different experience.
To help you evaluate options, here’s a clear side-by-side comparison for a typical 100-person group on a 3-night / 4-day summer retreat in Florida.
| Orange Springs (Exclusive Full Property) | Hotels + Separate Venue + Catering | Typical Resort or Shared Camp | |
| Total Estimated Cost (100 people, 3N/4D summer) | ~$26,500 total (~$265/pp) — All-inclusive with exclusive use | Often $38,000 – $60,000+ (highly variable) | $28,000 – $55,000+ (varies widely) |
| Hassle / Planning Time | Low — One point of contact. True all-inclusive. | High — Multiple vendors and logistics. | Medium to High — Still requires coordination. |
| Privacy & Exclusivity | Excellent — Full exclusive use of 100+ acres. One group only. | Low to Medium — Public/shared spaces. | Low to Medium — Often partially shared. |
| Customization | Very High — Full control over schedule and meals. | Medium — Requires coordinating multiple vendors. | Medium — Limited by shared facilities. |
| Activities & Facilities Included | High — Private lake, beach, canoes, kayaks, sports, ropes — all exclusively yours. | Low to Medium — Usually requires separate bookings. | Medium — Often shared or limited. |
| Food Quality & Group Dining | High — Customizable meals in dedicated dining hall. | Variable — Depends on caterer. | Variable — Shared dining common. |
| Atmosphere & Setting | Excellent — Pristine lake, white-sand beach, 100+ acres bordering Ocala National Forest. Peaceful and distraction-free. | Variable — Depends on specific hotels chosen. | Variable — Often lacks private camp feel. |
Costs for Orange Springs are based on current 2027 summer all-inclusive pricing (meals included). Alternative costs are realistic estimates and can vary.
See full 2027 pricing, off-season rates, and more details → Rent a Summer Camp in Florida
Planning Your Group Retreat in Florida
Orange Springs gives you the freedom to design your own itinerary. Whether you’re organizing a weekend church retreat, high school leadership program, corporate offsite, or multi-day youth camp, our team supports you every step of the way.
Helpful planning resources:
- The Retreat Planner’s Guide → Read the Guide
- Summer Camp Rental Checklist → View the Checklist
- What Does “Exclusive-Use” Really Mean? → Read the Article
Continue planning your 2027 retreat with these helpful guides:
- What Is Included When Renting a Summer Camp?
- How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Summer Camp in Florida?
- Can You Rent a Summer Camp for a Weekend?
- About Orange Springs Retreat Center
- Florida High School Retreats
- Florida Church Retreats
- Florida Youth Retreats
- Rent a Summer Camp in Florida
- Orange Springs Retreat Center Home
Frequently Asked Questions About Group Retreats at Orange Springs
What types of groups can book Orange Springs Retreat?
We specialize in high school retreats, church retreats, youth camps, corporate retreats, leadership programs, wellness retreats, nonprofit retreats, and large private group gatherings of 60–200+ guests.
Is Orange Springs a private or shared venue?
NO. It is offered as a true exclusive-use property. Your group will have the entire campus to itself with no other guests on site.
How many people can you accommodate?
We accommodate groups of 60 or more, with a total capacity of just over 200 people.
Are meals included?
Yes. Our experienced chef prepares customizable group meals served in our dedicated dining hall. Dietary needs can be accommodated.
What activities are included?
All standard activities are included: waterfront recreation, sports facilities, archery, ropes course (facilitation available), and evening campfires.
How far in advance should we book?
We recommend booking 6–12 months in advance for peak seasons (spring and fall), especially for school and church groups.
Where is Orange Springs Retreat Center located?
We are located in Orange Springs, Florida — a quiet, natural setting that is still easily accessible from major cities across the Southeast.
For more frequently asked questions, visit our full FAQ page → View All FAQs
Learn More About Our Story
Orange Springs Retreat has a rich legacy that stretches back decades. Read the full storyof how Camp Shalom summer camp, founded in 1971, evolved into the exclusive-use group retreat venue it is today.
You can also visit our About Us page to meet the team and discover what makes this 100+ acre property special for meaningful group experiences.
Orange Springs Retreat Center | Florida’s Exclusive-Use Retreat Venue for Private Groups, Schools & Churches (60–200 Guests)
What separates us from other retreat venues is true exclusivity: “One Group At a Time Always- No Shared Spaces, No Outside Guests”
See how Orange Springs Retreat was featured in The New York Times in the article “For Sleep-Away Camps, More Endless Summers.”
Ready to plan your retreat?
Contact us today to check availability or request a customized proposal. We look forward to welcoming your group to Orange Springs Retreat Center.