Welcome to Camp Gilead!

Camp Gilead is a Christian Camp and Conference Center located in Polk City, FL, just 20 minutes from Walt Disney World, centrally located between Tampa and Orlando! We exist to provide a fun and exciting environment to win others to Christ and to assist local churches in training and discipleship through a quality camp ministry. Our motto is “changing lives….one heart at a time.” Camp Gilead offers a wide range of programming and services for children, youth, families, churches, schools, and organizations, so that all guests are able to hear from God without the distractions and pressures of everyday life. We are situated on the shores of beautiful Lake Helene, amidst 33 beautiful acres of God's Creation. At Camp Gilead, just off of I-4 at exit 44 (the same exit as Fantasy of Flight), we are only 1 mile off of the interstate, but when you pull in, it feels as though you’re miles from anywhere!

Camp Gilead is a Christ-centered, Bible-believing, non-denominational, non-profit 501c3 ministry. We are also the first CBM (Children's Bible Ministries) Camp, and CBM was actually founded at Camp Gilead in 1935! Today, there are 11+ CBM camps/ministries nationwide, as well as one in Kenya, Africa! Our mission is to change lives one heart at a time through the gospel and we believe that to win a child is to win a LIFE!

INTRODUCING…….the first-ever “HOOKED ON FISHING” summer day camp at Camp Gilead! Do your kids love to fish? For campers ages 9-15, Camp Gilead now has two full weeks of camp (July 8-12 or July 15-19) designated just for fishing! “HOOKED ON FISHING” is a program designed for beginners and experienced anglers alike. These privileged campers will build their own casting rod, learn how to catch certain types of fish, and drive a fishing boat! They will even take home their own rod and tackle box as souvenirs! During this interactive, educational week, campers will build friendships, catch fish, grow in the Lord, eat amazing food, and have LOTS of fun! Register today – only 20 spots are available per week! Click here for more information!

Summer Camps and Camp Gilead Retreats During the summer, we run our own camps with incredible, godly, trained, qualified, CPR-certified, background- and reference-checked counselors, amazing and solid speakers and worship leaders, and AWESOME activities! We offer swimming, tubing, kayaking, putt-putt, baseball, basketball, Dodgeball, sand volleyball, paintball, a high ropes course (we have partnered with a local business for this), pedal carts, the Oasis camp store, fishing, a "Creation Critters" zoo and programming, and so much more! In summer 2013, we will be adding horseback riding to our list of optional activities! Read More In addition to the FUN we have, every day, the kids experience morning and evening devotions with their counselors, Bible memory time, incredible meals, a morning missions speaker (we invite missionaries that have been to the field or are preparing for the field so that they can create excitement around missions - many kids have been called into full-time future mission work right here in the chapel at Camp Gilead), and an evening chapel speaker (we invite Pastors that we admire, trust, and respect that will share the gospel in a loving and dynamic way)! Our cabins are air-conditioned and feature newly-built (used for the first time in summer 2012) twin bunks and new mattresses. Most cabins feature indoor plumbing; however, the ones that don't have it are within about 5 steps of the large and beautiful outdoor restroom facility. We have a girls side of the camp and a boys side of the camp! Cabin groups sit together at meals and services, allowing the counselors to really bond with their campers. For youth leaders/chaperones that want to join their groups for camp, we offer beautifully-appointed hotel-style efficiency rooms with a lake view or suites (with kitchens, living areas, and TVs) with a camp view. "Chaperones" have no responsibilities while here at camp - we take care of it all! They are basically "on vacation," but here for the kids in case they need them. Because chaperones are welcome at all services and activities, they are able to witness spiritual decisions being made, which makes for great follow-up upon returning home after camp. In October, we host Fun-O-Mania, a one-night retreat for kids in 4th-6th grade, and in January, we host WinterBlast, a two-night retreat for kids in 6th-12th grade. These events have all of the fun of a week of camp but in a shorter amount of time! They are a GREAT way to get spiritually renewed mid-way through the schools year, connect with friends from summer camp, and get that CAMP FIX! Click here to register for summer camp or for one of our retreats! [Close]		Calling All Familes! Bring your family to Camp Gilead this summer to experience the latest in family vacations: summer camp! Our Family Camp is designed for today’s Christian family: relaxed atmosphere, casual dress, great Bible teaching for children and adults, meals prepared with children in mind, and exciting activities for everyone! Best of all, it’s super affordable! Make Camp Gilead your family vacation destination! When your kids come home from camp each summer, don’t you sometimes think – “I wish I could have been there to experience that for myself?” Well, now you can! Read More Activities you will get to enjoy together include: swimming, tubing, skiing, fishing, paintball, nature hiking, crafts, rifle range, campfires, basketball, volleyball, baseball/softball, soccer, high ropes course, bike riding*, canoeing, carpetball, pedal carts, putt-putt golf, street hockey, horseback riding, family devotions, picnics, game night, family photos, tournaments, and so much more! Details and information can be found here! additional charge *bring your own bikes Contact us quickly to register – spots are very limited! (Call 863-984-1353 or e-mail us!) [Close]

College and Career Retreat It is often difficult to stay focused and to walk by faith in a distracting and alluring world. While we know that Christ is to be preferred above all else, we can soon find ourselves seeking fulfillment and satisfaction from seemingly easier, but inferior idols. Our B.A.S.I.C. Retreat for college students will help you keep Christ preeminent in all things (Colossians 1:18). Join us this coming September 11-12, 2013. Offering fervent and Christ-centered teaching from God's Word, your choice of action or relaxation, refreshing fellowship with like-minded young adults, and great food, the B.A.S.I.C. Retreat will reenergize you in your weariness, refocus you on your mission, and re-establish you in Christ. Call 863-984-1353 or e-mail us for more information!		Group Conferences and Retreats Camp Gilead is a year-round conference and retreat center, and is the perfect place for your school or church group to host its next planning meeting, banquet/reception, ladies’ conference, men’s conference, couples’ retreat, youth camp or retreat, scrapbooking retreat, church picnic, church baptism, or so many other possibilities! We can accommodate groups of up to approximately 200 guests. We offer cabins with twin bunks, hotel-style efficiencies, and apartment-style suites, as well as RV hook-ups and tent camping areas! Our facilities and activities are yours to enjoy while you’re here, and it is our prayer that during your event, lives will be changed for the glory of God! For more information, click here!

Bible Correspondence Lessons The deadline to sign up for lessons to receive a discount for summer 2013 camp has passed. Parents, you will be able to sign up for lessons to receive a discount for summer 2014 camp during check-in for this summer’s camp. If finances are a concern, please click here to learn about our scholarship opportunities.		Volunteer Opportunities Teens in 8th or 9th grade, are you looking for a wonderful place to earn community services hours? Become a summer TEAM (Teens Excited About Ministry) member at Camp Gilead! You will earn 40 hours of community service for each week worked! Click here to download our application, and the sooner the better, because this program fills up completely each year by mid-March! Read More Retirees, are you looking for a meaningful (and WARM!) way to spend your winters? Join us at Camp Gilead for Camp Swamp (Seniors With a Mission and Purpose)! Winter, Spring, and Fall programs are available. Bring your skills, your tools, and your energy to help us complete projects around camp! If you will be staying with us for multiple days/weeks, we offer RV hook-ups, hotel-style efficiencies, and suite-style apartment with kitchens/living rooms. During January and February, we also offer a daily morning snack, lunch, and Thursday evening potluck, as well as many other opportunities for fellowship, such as putt-putt golf tournaments, game nights, sings, carpetball tournaments, and weekend outings! Click here for more information or to sign up for one of our 2013 or 2014 sessions! For everyone else, do you enjoy mowing, weed eating, lawn/garden work, or maintenance/repairs? If this is you, and you would like to donate your time to Camp Gilead, while having a blast and serving the Lord, we would be honored! Please click here to sign-up and we will be in touch with you shortly! [Close]

Bible Clubs Camp Gilead was founded on the after-school Bible Club ministry back in the 1930s, and God is still abundantly blessing these clubs today! Each week, we minister to children from local schools at local churches (or here at Camp Gilead)! At Clubs, kids play games, have a snack, learn a Bible lesson and memory verse, make friends, and have a great time! After club is over, parents can pick up their children or Camp Gilead vans can transport them home. Read More Our current schedule is: On Mondays, we pick up from Polk City Elementary and BAMS. Club is from 3pm-5pm. We also pick up from Discovery, and that club is from 4pm-6pm. Both Monday clubs meet at Camp Gilead. On Tuesdays, we pick up from Lincoln Academy, Rochelle, McKeel downtown, and Blake (all in Lakeland), and club is from 3pm-5pm at Parkview Baptist Church. On Thursdays, we pick up from St. Paul Lutheran School and Scott Lake Elementary. Club is from 3pm-5pm at Fellowship Baptist Church. For more information or to download our permission slip to get your child(ren) signed up for one of our Bible Clubs, click here! [Close]		Creation Critters Creation Critters offers something for everyone! We have an indoor and outdoor “zoo,” comprised of birds, fish, snakes, a skunk, rabbits, flying squirrels, bearded dragons, a chinchilla, leopard geckos, a tarantula, a Florida gator, snapping turtles, an Arctic fox, and so much more! This aspect of our ministry is PERFECT for homeschool field trips, or we can also travel to your church or school with our animals and/or fossils! For more information or to schedule a visit or speaking engagement, click here.

	Copyright © 2011 - 2013. All rights reserved. Camp Gilead 1444 Camp Gilead Drive Polk City, Fl, 33868 Web site developed and managed by LongviewNET, LLC
Home \| About Us \| Contact Us \| Donate \| Camps \| Retreats \| Bible Clubs Page updated: May 01 2013 01:45:58 PM Polk City Weather Forecast, FL (33868)

Welcome to Camp Gilead!

Summer Camps and Camp Gilead Retreats

Calling All Familes!

College and Career Retreat

Group Conferences and Retreats

Bible Correspondence Lessons

Volunteer Opportunities

Bible Clubs

Creation Critters