Camp Ministries

 

Camp Kulaqua [MAP] 23400 NW 212 Ave. High Springs, FL 32643 Phone: (386) 454-1351 Fax: (386) 454-8851		Pine Lake Retreat [MAP] 21725 County Road 33 Groveland, FL 34736 Phone: (352) 429-4454 Fax: (352) 429-4484
Stillwaters Lodge (at entrance to Camp Kulaqua) US Hwy. 441 North High Springs, FL 32643 Phone: (386) 454-1351 Fax: (386) 454-8851

groups@campkulaqua.com

http://www.floridacamps.org/

• http://www.campkulaqua.com/
• http://www.pinelakeretreat.com/
• http://www.stillwaterslodge.com/
• http://www.riverranchwaterpark.com/

Mission Statement

The mission of Florida Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries is to serve the constituents of Florida Conference with a friendly and quality camping and retreat facilities that set an atmosphere allowing for the Holy Spirit to touch as many lives as possible. Secondarily, to use these facilities as an outreach to nonmembers who can abide by the policies of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the principles of Christianity.

Camp Ministries traditionally has been the operation of summer camp. Camp Kulaqua, in High Springs, was started as a summer camp in 1953-54. For many years, it functioned as a basic summer camp operation with a few Pathfinder outings. Today, we are seeing a great change in the needs of the Church. Not only is a summer camp needed, but also a retreat facility for Florida Conference departments and local church retreats. This has changed the perspective of the way we serve others.

Camp Kulaqua

• The cafeteria will seat up to 600 people.
• The King Chapel, completed in 1996, will seat 600 in a comfortable, worshipful atmosphere.
• The gymnasium, built in 1992, will hold up to 1,200 people for one general meeting and has small seminar rooms which have a combined capacity of 500 people. This facility is utilized annually for the North Florida Camp Meeting.
• The old cafeteria was transformed into a 200-seat meeting facility now known as the Spring Chapel. It features a beautiful outdoor deck and a small kitchen inside.
• Housing has been augmented and diversified with the addition of the Chalet Village, completed in 1994. It provides comfortable, private, hotel-like rooms with private baths, fully decorated, and supplied with linens. A kitchen allows for a family group of up to eight people to stay at the camp with the choice of eating in the cafeteria or providing their own meals in their own chalet. This helps families who come for retreats to keep costs within their budgets.

Pine Lake Retreat

In 1994, Florida Conference received a gift of the former Groveland Academy property. The 120-acre site is located in the central part of the state between Leesburg and Clermont.

The challenge was to make this facility an acceptable tool for the Conference. During 1995 and 1996, this older academy campus was transformed into a new retreat facility and renamed Pine Lake Retreat. The existing buildings were fully remodeled. A new Chalet Village and RV Park was created, and a swimming pool, spa, and pavilion with a bathhouse were added.

Pine Lake, with its unique proximity to Central Florida and closer proximity to South Florida than Camp Kulaqua, provides for a small group retreat facility. This small group identity is sometimes lost in a large facility such as Camp Kulaqua. Some groups, such as health retreats, need a facility for extended time periods for 30-40 people. Scheduling these events would conflict with large groups that continually use Camp Kulaqua. Thus, a small group facility is available to the constituents of Florida Conference.

Pine Lake is a beautiful place with a unique, quiet atmosphere. We believe God is using this place, just as He has used Camp Kulaqua, to further the gospel and meet the needs of Florida Conference constituents.

Stillwaters Lodge

Stillwaters Lodge has added a new dimension to the lodging hospitality ministry. Small groups can meet in this peaceful bed and breakfast atmosphere with the latest in conference room technologies, communication systems, and private rooms. Stillwaters Lodge is a 6,000-square-foot, nine-bedroom home located on 43.85 acres along the left side of the Camp Kulaqua entrance. It features sunken living and family rooms with fireplaces, a kitchen with all new appliances, a 2,086-square-foot barn, and a boat house/slip with sitting area. Recently remodeled, the lodge will house 20 people and provide conference rooms, family-style or buffet dining, and private amenities.

Phil Younts
Administrative Director,
Camp & Retreat Ministries

Stefi Affron
Marketing Director/
Summer Camp Registrar,
Camp & Retreat Ministries

Kathy Blandford
Accounts Payable,
Camp & Retreat Ministries

Melodie Hopkins
Reservations Director/
Accounts Receivable,
Camp & Retreat Ministries

Paulette Bair
Food Service Director,
Camp Kulaqua

Mike Hopkins
Physical Plant Director,
Camp Kulaqua

Julie Selby
Office Manager/Registrar,
Camp Kulaqua

Ray Queen
Summer Camp Director/
Year-round Programming,
Camp Kulaqua

Dawn Wardecke
Operations Manager,
Camp Kulaqua

Byron Voorheis
Pine Lake Retreat Manager

Jannette Queen
Stillwaters Lodge Manager/
River Ranch Manager