By Mike Sokol
Yes. Many private groups rent summer camps for weekend retreats across Florida each year. Churches, high schools, youth organizations, leadership programs, nonprofits, adult camps, and corporate teams are increasingly choosing summer camp rentals because they combine lodging, dining, meeting space, recreation, and privacy in one location.
If you’re planning a church retreat, student leadership weekend, youth group event, team-building program, or organizational gathering, renting a summer camp for a weekend in Florida can be one of the most effective and memorable options available.
Providing groups with a weekend summer camp rental space in Florida is exactly what we do at the Orange Springs Retreat Center.
Who Rents Summer Camps for Weekend Retreats?
Church Groups
Churches regularly rent summer camps for youth retreats, men’s retreats, women’s retreats, worship weekends, leadership development, and fellowship gatherings. The natural setting encourages reflection, community, and spiritual connection while providing dedicated space for worship, small groups, recreation, and campfires.
High School Retreats
High schools and student organizations often choose camp rentals for leadership retreats, orientation weekends, honor society events, and team-building experiences. The combination of lodging, meeting spaces, dining, and outdoor activities creates an ideal environment for student engagement and growth.
Leadership & Nonprofit Retreats
Nonprofits, educational organizations, and leadership programs seek locations that allow participants to focus without everyday distractions. A private camp setting supports collaboration, personal development, and stronger group dynamics.
Youth Organizations
Youth groups, clubs, scouting organizations, and educational programs frequently rent summer camps for weekend events. These venues provide built-in recreational opportunities alongside safe accommodations and structured meeting spaces.
Corporate & Team-Building Groups
Businesses are increasingly choosing camp-style retreats over traditional hotel conference rooms because they encourage teamwork, communication, and relationship building through shared outdoor experiences.
Why Rent a Summer Camp Instead of a Hotel?
Hotels can work well for meetings, but they often fall short for retreats that depend on shared experiences and meaningful interaction.
When you rent a summer camp, your group typically has access to lodging, dining facilities, meeting spaces, recreational areas, sports fields, waterfront activities, and outdoor gathering spaces all in one location. Participants stay together throughout the event rather than dispersing to separate rooms or public areas. This often leads to stronger engagement and more meaningful outcomes.
Why Summer Camps Work So Well for Weekend Retreats
Unlike hotels, many summer camps offer lodging, dining, meeting space, recreation, and outdoor gathering areas on a single property. This allows groups to spend more time connecting and less time coordinating logistics.
At Orange Springs Retreat Center, groups have access to:
- More than 100 private acres near the Ocala National Forest
- Over 200 beds across climate-controlled buildings
- Dining hall seating for up to 200 guests
- Multiple meeting and gathering spaces
- Spring-fed lake with white-sand beach
- Kayaking, canoeing, and waterfront recreation
- Sports fields, tennis courts, and archery
- Campfire gathering areas
- Ropes course activities (including high and low elements upon request)
True exclusive use of the entire property
Summer Camp Rental vs. Hotel Retreat
| Feature | Hotel Retreat | Summer Camp Rental |
| Lodging | ✓ | ✓ |
| Meeting Space | Often additional cost | Usually included |
| Outdoor Recreation | Limited | Extensive |
| Campfire Areas | Rare | Common |
| Team-Building Activities | Often extra | Often available on-site |
| Exclusive Use | Rare | Often available |
| Group Interaction | Moderate | High |
For groups focused on community building, leadership development, or team bonding, a summer camp rental often provides a more immersive experience than a traditional hotel setting.
What Is Included When Renting a Summer Camp?
While every facility is different, many Florida summer camp rentals include:
- Overnight lodging
- Dining facilities and meal service
- Meeting rooms and gathering spaces
- Sports fields and recreational areas
- Waterfront access
- Campfire locations
- Hiking and nature trails
- Team-building opportunities
- Parking for buses and large groups
Many venues also offer ropes courses, climbing elements, kayaking, canoeing, archery, and other outdoor recreation options.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Summer Camp in Florida?
Pricing varies based on several factors, including:
- Group size
- Length of stay
- Number of meals included
- Time of year
- Exclusive-use versus shared-use facilities
- Available amenities and activities
For many organizations, renting a summer camp can be more cost-effective than booking hotel rooms, meeting space, dining, and recreational activities separately. Most camps provide customized pricing based on your group’s specific needs.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Camp Rental?
Exclusive Use
Will your group have the property to yourselves? True exclusive-use venues offer greater privacy and allow uninterrupted programming.
Capacity
Make sure the venue can comfortably accommodate your full group for lodging, dining, and meeting space.
Recreation & Activities
Look for waterfront recreation, sports fields, campfire areas, ropes courses, trails, and other amenities that support your retreat goals.
Location
Choose a venue that is accessible for attendees while still providing a peaceful, distraction-free environment.
Food Service
Ask about meal quality, menu flexibility, and accommodations for dietary restrictions.
Renting a Private Summer Camp in Florida at the Orange Springs Retreat Center.
For groups seeking a truly private and exclusive retreat experience, Orange Springs Retreat Center offers a standout option in North Central Florida.
Located on more than 100 acres near the Ocala National Forest, Orange Springs specializes in exclusive-use weekend and multi-day retreats for churches, high schools, youth groups, leadership organizations, nonprofits, and private teams. Only one group occupies the property at a time, giving you complete privacy and full access to the entire campus.
Groups enjoy comfortable climate-controlled lodging, a large dining hall, flexible meeting spaces, a spring-fed lake with white-sand beach, kayaking, canoeing, sports fields, tennis courts, archery, campfire areas, and extensive outdoor recreation opportunities — including a ropes course with high and low elements(available upon request).
Whether you’re planning a church youth retreat, student leadership weekend, men’s or women’s retreat, nonprofit gathering, or corporate team-building event, renting a private summer camp for a weekend in Florida at Orange Springs can create an experience that brings people together in ways traditional venues often cannot.
Although 2026 dates are fully reserved, we are currently accepting inquiries and bookings for 2027 group retreats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a summer camp for a weekend in Florida?
Yes. Many private Florida camps offer weekend rentals for churches, schools, youth organizations, leadership groups, nonprofits, and corporate retreats. Early booking is recommended for popular dates.
What size groups can Orange Springs Retreat Center accommodate?
We comfortably host groups of approximately 60 to 200+ guests with lodging, dining, meeting facilities, and activities all located on one private property.
Is the property available during the summer months?
Yes. Orange Springs Retreat Center offers year-round rentals, including traditional summer camp season, for private group use.
What’s typically included in a weekend camp rental?
Most rentals include lodging, access to dining facilities, meeting spaces, recreational amenities, waterfront access, sports fields, and standard outdoor activities. Additional programming (such as facilitated ropes course sessions) can be arranged.
How far in advance should we book?
Popular weekends often fill well in advance. We encourage groups to begin planning as early as possible to secure preferred 2027 dates.
Do you offer true exclusive use?
Yes. Orange Springs Retreat Center hosts only one group at a time always, providing complete privacy and exclusive access to the entire property.
Can meals be customized?
Yes. Meal plans can typically be adapted to accommodate dietary needs and group preferences. at the Orange Springs Retreat Center we present a “sample menu” but our menu is fully customizable. We accommodate all dietary restrictions. It is important, however, to make sure your group communicates any special requests so that we can make sure that everyone is accommodated! Groups often return, year after year, for Chef Kevin’s signature meals!
Located just south of Gainesville, Florida, Orange Springs Retreat Center offers Group Retreat Rentals, Fall & Spring School/Church Camp venue, and an ideal Summer Camp Location.
What separates us from other retreat venues is true exclusivity: “One Group At a Time Always- No Shared Spaces, No Outside Guests” That means you have the entire property to yourself!
About the Author
Mike Sokol is the owner and founder of Orange Springs Retreat Center. He has hosted church retreats, school retreats, youth camps, leadership programs, and private group events at the property since 2002. Orange Springs Retreat Center operates on the same site where Camp Shalom ran its summer program and welcomed generations of campers since 1971.
Read the story of how we went from a 50 year old summer camp to a full time retreat center here- and see how Orange Springs Retreat Center was featured in the New York Times!
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