About Gator Wilderness Camp School
Small Group Living
Experiential Education
Family Involvement
Camp Setting
At Camp, boys have the opportunity to design and build their own tents at their campsite. Boys take pride in ownership of things that they have worked for and built with their own hands.
In the woods, a troubled boy gets away from distractions and the fast pace of life. He has a chance to learn about himself, his own problems, and how to get along with others in his group.
Camp activities include wood chopping, camp-fire-building, tent building, canoeing and cooking out. The campers also enjoy hiking, creating their own games to play, climbing trees, fishing, swimming and exploring swamps and rivers. They also have an opportunity to cook and serve their own meals prepared at their campsite.
Camp Organization
Camp History
The Gator Wilderness Camp School was organized in 1900 when a group of Christian men had a vision to help troubled boys and their families. After visiting similar camping programs in South Carolina and Pennsylvania, it was decided to start a wilderness boy’s camp school. These other programs were modeled after Campbell Loughmiller’s camp with the Salesmenship Club of Dallas, Texas. That camping program has been successful for more than 50 years. Two books, Wilderness Roads, and The Worth of a Boy, have been written to explain the methods used.
Land for the camp was purchased and developed to meet the needs of this type of program. Buildings constructed include a dining hall, maintenance building, a shower house, and a staff house.
Gator Wilderness Camp School began taking boys in January of 2006. The camp presently has one full group of ten boys, two counselors, a supervisor, camp director, and a cook. The goal is to have four groups of ten boys each. These groups are ongoing and live in separate campsites which the boys build. The average length of stay is 18-24 months.
Licensing
Gator Wilderness Camp School is licensed by the Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies. It is a 501c3, not for profit cooperation. It is registered as a private school with the Florida Department of Education. Gator Camp is a member of the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping Association.
Board of Directors
Gator Wilderness Camp School, Inc. is a non-profit corporation and is governed by three separate boards.
A corporate board maintains the non-profit status under Florida State Laws.
The board of Directors assists with capital improvements, staff recruitments, and public relations and other needs pertinent to the camping program.
The advisory board is to help maintain the high standards of child care in this type of program.
Camp Staff