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Best Overnight Summer Camps in Florida

YMCA Camp Winona is a place where kids learn, grow, and have fun. Photo courtesy of the YMCA
YMCA Camp Winona is a place where kids learn, grow, and have fun. Photo courtesy of the YMCA
2/19/23 - By Charlotte B

Overnight summer camps  provide a great opportunity for kids to gain independence in a safe environment. Happily, Florida has a whole host of great ones, from Apopka to Silver Springs and beyond! These camps offer activities like archery, kayaking, performing arts, horseback riding, rock climbing, and so much more.

And, since all these overnight summer camps are in Florida, kids are never too far from home. The camps offer mini-stays (2-3 nights) up to entire summer-long programs for kids as young as 6 and up to age 17, so every kid of every age can find the perfect program.

We've rounded up some of the top overnight camps in the heart of Florida. To find more Florida summer camps, visit our Orlando Summer Camp Guide. It's packed with the best local free and affordable summer camps, sports summer camps, and many more.

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Camp Kulaqua's Summer Camp offers a camp rich in fun, friendship, and adventure. Photo courtesy of the camp
Camp Kulaqua's Summer Camp offers a camp rich in fun, friendship, and adventure. Photo courtesy of the camp

Sleep Away Camps Near Central Florida

Camp Crystal Lake

Starke
This co-ed residential summer camp is open for 2nd through 9th-grade students, in 1-2 week sessions. At Camp Crystal Lake, campers can choose between several classes to make up a personalized schedule, with options such as fishing, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, mountain biking, yoga, newspaper, arts & crafts, and more. READ MORE

Camp Frontier

Haines City
Located on over 12,000 acres, Camp Frontier is an overnight adventure camp for kids ages 7-17. Campers choose their own activities from over 50 options, including art, bike riding, challenge course, cheerleading, drama, field games, fishing, horses, nature exploration, outdoor life skills, soccer, swimming, tubing, videography, volleyball, wakeboarding, woodworking, and more. Camp runs in 1-5 week sessions. READ MORE

Camp Horizon

Leesburg
Camp Horizon provides weeklong camps for ages 8-17. Campers choose from a variety of activities, including but not limited to archery, riflery, basketball, volleyball, swimming, canoeing, sailing, waterskiing, and crafts. Tubing and skiing are available for an additional cost. READ MORE

Camp Ithiel

Gotha
Camp Ithiel is a Christian camp and retreat center offering overnight weeklong summer camps for kids entering 4th through 12th grades. A shorter 2-3 night camp is offered for kids entering 1st through 3rd grades. Camps feature activities like canoeing, archery, hiking, campfires, arts & crafts, and more. READ MORE

Camp Kulaqua

High Springs
Camp Kulaqua offers an individualized summer camp experience in a Christian environment. These sleepaway camps are open to ages 7 through 17, and broken up into different age groups: Cub Camp (ages 7-9), Junior Camp (ages 10-12), & Teen Camp (ages 13-17). Camp Kulaqua offers a wide variety of activities for campers, including archery, gymnastics, kayaking, painting, performing arts, rock climbing, wilderness survival, and more. READ MORE

Camp Wewa

Apopka
Camp Wewa offers both traditional day camps for ages 8-14, as well as overnight camps for ages 9-14. Camp activities include fishing, team building, nature activities, arts & crafts, archery, canoeing, rock climbing, sports, and swimming. READ MORE

Cedarkirk

Lithia
Cedarkirk hosts a variety of small group residential camps for kids who have completed 1st through 12th grade (broken up by age group). Camps run throughout the summer in one-week sessions. Campers participate as a small group in activities such as archery, canoeing, swimming, cookouts, and more. READ MORE

Circle F Dude Ranch

Lake Wales
Experience a real dude ranch at this traditional sleepaway camp for boys and girls ages 6-16. Enjoy activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing, water activities, paintball, team sports, and more. The camp also offers western fun such as ax throwing, chuck wagon cooking, leather craft, roping, and a slingshot range. Camp is offered in 1-3 week sessions. READ MORE

Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp

Silver Springs
The Ocala Outdoor Adventure Camp provides week-long camps for ages 8-14 throughout the summer, as well as a leadership training camp for ages 15-17. Camp themes include wildlife adventures, hunter safety, wilderness camping, shooting sports, archery, bowhunting, and more. READ MORE

San Pedro Center

Winter Park
Located on the shores of Lake Howell, the San Pedro Center provides day camps for kids entering grades 1-8 (ages 5-14), and overnight camps for kids entering grades 3-12 (ages 8-18). Camp includes themed daily art projects, water activities such as canoeing and paddleboarding, ropes course, and more. READ MORE

Wekiva Youth Camp

Apopka
Located at Wekiwa Springs State Park, Wekiva Youth Camp is a residential camp for boys and girls in 3rd through 8th grade. This nature camp's purpose is to instill a love and respect for the Real Florida through nature study, conservation, and environmental protection. Camp is offered in one-week sessions. Under close supervision, campers enjoy an outdoor living and learning experience featuring activities such as crafts, field sports, night rides, nature study, swimming, and more. A Critter Day Camp is also offered for grades 1 & 2. READ MORE

YMCA Camp Winona

DeLeon Springs
Located on spring-fed Lake Winona, Camp Winona offers residential camps for ages 6-17 including mini (two-night) camps, traditional one-week camps, two-week teen camps, and leader-in-training camps. Campers can choose their own personalized experience with activities such as archery, riflery, arts & crafts, kayaking, fishing, outdoor living skills, athletics, music, and more. READ MORE

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