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Camp Keystone

The Salvation Army Keystone Camp and Conference Center is a year-round center, offering a unique, rustic setting for conferences, retreats, camps, school trips and other overnight or day gatherings.

Located in north central Florida on 260 acres and beautiful Bedford Lake, this site offers a variety of lodging and meeting rooms, to suit the needs of groups of all types and sizes.

Many children from low-income families rarely experience life outside their immediate neighborhood. That’s why The Salvation Army’s annual summer camp programs are so important. Every year, thousands of kids get a fresh perspective on life as they meet new friends, discover new activities, and get a taste of the great outdoors. As campers learn to swim, play sports, create music, make art, and scout, their trained counselors help them navigate the complicated emotions and struggles often associated with their lives back home.

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Camp Keystone – Grateful for Everything that we Have

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As the Director of Camp Keystone, it is a high honor to see the campers that come through our gates each summer. I try to make it a point to get on the buses as they prepare to leave Camp Keystone and head home and say farewell to all the campers.

One day I asked a camper sitting on the bus what his favorite thing was about camp. “Was it swimming?” No. He only shrugged his shoulders and said it was just okay. “Was it fishing? Canoeing? Crafts? Bible Class? The night programs?” All of these were just met with the same tepid, ho-hum, it was okay I guess, responses. Finally, I said, “Man! You got to tell me what your favorite thing about camp was?” With a huge smile, the boy finally came to life and said, “I got to eat three meals in one day!”

It was in that moment that I remember why we exist. This kid thought a day with breakfast, lunch, and supper was the best thing to ever happen to him.

This little boy teaches us to be grateful for everything that we have. As Camp Keystone opens for the summer, we remember the nearly 1,200 campers who will come to us grateful for the small things that you help provide.

God bless.
Captain Matt Satterlee
Divisional Youth Secretary

Do you want to sponsor a child for a lifetime experience? It isn’t too late:

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