How it Works: 2027 Rates, Available Dates & How to Reserve Our Exclusive-Use Retreat Center in Florida
The first questions retreat organizers often ask are: “How much does it cost, and what dates are available?”
This guide provides full pricing transparency, explains how our calendar works, details why popular dates book more than a year in advance, and outlines the exact steps to secure your preferred timeframe.
Our 2026 calendar is fully booked and we are currently maintaining a waitlist for cancellations. All new bookings are focused on Fall 2027 – Summer 2028.
Because Orange Springs operates under a strict “one group at a time, always” policy, our available calendar dates are limited each year. When your group books Orange Springs, you never share the property with another group..
Fall/Winter 2027 Rates (September – April)
Florida’s mild autumn, winter, and spring weather makes September through April ideal for outdoor retreats. The off-season features lower minimum attendee requirements (60+ guests) and greater calendar flexibility.
(Includes lodging, all meals, full facility use, and property exclusivity.)
| Length of Stay | 60+ Guests | 100+ Guests |
| 2 Night / 3 Day | $255 | $205 |
| 3 Night / 4 Day | $315 | $255 |
| 4 Night / 5 Day | $375 | $315 |
| 5 Night / 6 Day | $435 | $375 |
| 6 Night / 7 Day | $485 | $425 |
Example for group booking a 2 night /3 day weekend retreat: The cost is $255 person for a guaranteed minimum of 60 attendees and includes all meals from dinner Friday through breakfast Sunday(5 meals). This includes meals, lodging, and exclusive use of the entire property!
Usage also includes access to all our meeting spaces, AV equipment, sports equipment for the available activities such as soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball, canoeing kayaking, paddle boarding, and a campfires when requested!
2028 Summer Rates (May – August)
Summer are considered premium with a 100+ guests minimum for booking:
Option 1: Per-Person Pricing with Meals Included
(Minimum 100+ attendees. Rates include climate-controlled lodging, 3 chef-prepared meals per full day, standard activities, and exclusive property use.)
| Length of Stay | Per Person |
| 2 Night / 3 Day | $215 |
| 3 Night / 4 Day | $265 |
| 4 Night / 5 Day | $325 |
| 5 Night / 6 Day | $385 |
| 6 Night / 7 Day | $435 |
Example for group booking a 6 night /7 day weeklong retreat: The cost is $435 person for a guaranteed minimum of 100 attendees and includes all meals from dinner the first evening through breakfast the seventh day(17 meals). This includes meals, lodging, and exclusive use of the entire property!
Usage also includes access to all our meeting spaces, AV equipment, sports equipment for the available activities such as soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball, canoeing kayaking, paddle boarding, and a campfire when requested!
Option 2: Summer Flat-Rate Facility Rentals (No Meals)
(For groups providing their own food service or outside catering. Includes lodging, full campus access, and standard recreational activities.)
| Length of Stay | Up to 100 Guests | 150+ Guests |
| 2 Night / 3 Day | $14,500 | $17,500 |
| 3 Night / 4 Day | $17,500 | $20,500 |
| 4 Night / 5 Day | $20,500 | $23,500 |
| 5 Night / 6 Day | $23,500 | $26,500 |
| 6 Night / 7 Day | $26,500 | $29,500 |
You can find more details relating to the “Flat Rate Without Meals” options on our summer camp rental pricing page.
Here is a breakdown of our inclusive packages for groups of different numbers of attendees, days, and meal options:
| Package | Group | Stay | Price | Includes |
| Off-season weekend | 100+ | 2N / 3D | $205/person | Lodging + meals + activities + exclusive use |
| Summer weekend | 100+ | 2N / 3D | $215/person | Lodging + meals + activities + exclusive use |
| Summer 4-day | 100+ | 3N / 4D | $265/person | Lodging + meals + activities + exclusive use |
| Summer week | 100+ | 6N / 7D | $435/person | Lodging + meals + activities + exclusive use |
| Summer flat-rate | 150+ | 2N / 3D | $17,500 | Lodging + activities + exclusive use |
Why Availability Is Limited:
Orange Springs Retreat Center operates differently from shared retreat facilities:
- No unrelated groups in the dining hall
- No competing teams using the lake, beach, or boats
- No outside visitors sharing the cabins
- No scheduled conflicts over sports fields, meeting rooms, or campfires
Your organization enjoys complete privacy and exclusive control over the facility.
The natural trade-off is calendar capacity: there are only a set number of weekends, summer weeks, holidays, and extended breaks available each year.
Because of this exclusivity, summer weeks, major holidays (Labor Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July), and popular 4-day extended weekends are routinely requested and reserved well over a year in advance.
How Far in Advance Should You Book?
To secure a premium weekend or a specific summer week, we recommend initiating the booking process at least 12 to 14 months ahead of time.
Many returning groups review and lock in their dates for the following year while still on site for their current retreat or within days of departing.
If your group’s schedule is flexible, finding an open date is usually straightforward. However, if you require specific calendar windows, advance planning is essential.
A Real-World Example: Securing Labor Day Weekend
Suppose your organization wants to book Labor Day weekend 2027:
- A returning group is likely occupying that exact weekend during Labor Day 2026.
- That returning group often has the first option to re-book the same holiday window for 2027 before they check out.
- If you wait until after Labor Day 2026 to inquire, that 2027 holiday weekend may already be locked in.
Pro Tip for New Groups: To get ahead of a returning group on a prime holiday or extended weekend, submit your inquiry, agree to terms, and place a deposit roughly a month ahead of that current year’s holiday weekend.
The same principle applies to Memorial Day, Fourth of July, popular spring weekends, summer weeks, and other extended weekends.
Important: Penciled-In Dates vs. Confirmed Reservations
We frequently work with planning committees that need time to finalize details, obtain board approval, or check leader availability. In these cases, we may temporarily “pencil in” a date as a courtesy while you work through your process.
However, please note the distinction:
A penciled-in date is not a secured reservation.
Your retreat date is only officially confirmed and locked on our calendar once Orange Springs Retreat Center has received both:
A signed usage agreement
The required deposit
Until both items are submitted, held dates remain subject to opening for other fully committed groups.
What Is Included with Your Rental?
When you reserve Orange Springs Retreat Center, you get complete, uninterrupted access to a 100+ acre private lakefront facility:
Waterfront & Beach
Private spring-fed lake, white-sand beach, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, swimming, and fishing
Athletics & Recreation
Gymnasium, indoor/outdoor basketball courts, 4 tennis courts, beach volleyball, soccer field, walking trails, and campfire sites
Accommodations & Dining
Climate-controlled cabins sleeping up to 200+ guests, full dining hall with customized chef-prepared meals (special dietary needs accommodated)
Meeting & Gathering Spaces
Theater, meeting rooms, outdoor pavilions, and multimedia/A-V equipped spaces
How the Booking Process Works
- Submit Your Inquiry — Share your target dates, estimated guest count, meal needs, and retreat goals.
- Check Calendar Availability — We will confirm open dates or present adjacent options.
- Select Your Pricing Structure — Choose between all-inclusive per-person meal packages or flat-rate facility options.
- Pencil In Your Date (when appropriate) — Temporary hold status while finalizing internal approvals.
- Execute Usage Agreement & Deposit — Submit the signed contract and required deposit to lock the dates on the official calendar.
- Plan Your Program — Coordinate custom meal menus, meeting space setups, and activity schedules with our team.
First-Time Groups: Work Directly with Mike
If this is your first time organizing a retreat at Orange Springs, you don’t have to figure out the logistics alone.
Mike Sokol, owner and operator of Orange Springs Retreat Center, works directly with group leaders to help align retreat goals with budget constraints and scheduling needs. If your group has non-standard arrival times, unique budget considerations, or requires creative scheduling, Mike is available to explore practical solutions to make your retreat work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should we book?
For popular summer dates, holidays, and extended weekends, we recommend planning 12–14 months ahead whenever possible.
Can we hold a date without paying a deposit?
We may sometimes pencil in a date while you finalize plans, but a date is not secured until the signed usage agreement and required deposit have been received.
Do returning groups get first choice of their dates?
Returning groups often begin discussing the following year’s dates while still on site or shortly after their current retreat. This means popular dates can be requested well in advance.
Is summer more expensive than the off-season?
Rates are structured differently by season and group size. See the tables above for current pricing. Larger groups generally see lower per-person costs.
What dates are most difficult to get?
Summer weeks, major holidays, popular school breaks, and extended weekends tend to be the most competitive.
Can we book a weekend rather than a full week?
Yes. We regularly host 2-night/3-day and 3-night/4-day retreats. Current rates are shown in the tables above.
What if we are a first-time group?
Contact Mike. We regularly work with first-time groups and can help you think through dates, accommodations, meals, activities, and logistics.
Does our group get the entire property?
Yes. Orange Springs operates under a one-group-at-a-time policy. Your group does not share the campus with unrelated groups. Learn more about what exclusive-use really means.
Where is Orange Springs located?
Orange Springs Retreat Center is located in North Central Florida near Ocala and the Ocala National Forest, within comfortable driving distance of Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Orlando.
Ready to Check Your Dates?
Popular dates book quickly due to our exclusive one-group policy. Contact us today to check current calendar openings or discuss pricing for your Fall 2027 – Summer 2028 retreat.
Mike Sokol
Owner, Orange Springs Retreat Center
Phone: (561) 221-7773
Email: campshalomfl@gmail.com
Contact / Availability: https://orangespringsretreat.com/contact/
Related Resources
- How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Summer Camp in Florida? 2027 Guide
- What Does “Exclusive-Use” Really Mean at a Retreat Center?
- About Orange Springs Retreat Center
- Our One of a Kind Exclusive-Use Retreats
- How to Budget a Church or Youth Retreat in Florida
Retreat center rental costs in Florida vary based on group size, length of stay, meals, lodging, season and whether the facility is shared or exclusive-use. At Orange Springs Retreat Center, 2027 overnight retreat packages for groups of 60–200+ range from approximately $205–$485 per person, depending on season, group size and length of stay. Rates include lodging, meals, standard recreational activities and exclusive use of the entire 100+ acre property.
Our 2026 calendar is fully booked and we are currently maintaining a waitlist for cancellations. All new bookings are focused on Fall 2027 – Summer 2028.