Camp Horizon at Orange Springs
It was determined that a property should be purchased to establish a youth camp and conference center. An undated color brochure (c.1963) shows homesites for sale along two sides the a camp which is clearly marked as CAMP FLA-GO-PI.
The Florida Gospel Pioneers purchaed land in Orange Springs in 1963 and the first camp was held in 1964 with 400 campers, 25 staff, and forty professions of faith. The camp was named Camp Horizon and they logo incorporated an indian which reflects their original camp theme, the Indian sounding “Camp Fla-Go-Pi”. In 1964 a separate camp board was created to manage the business of this ministry.
The cost was $20 ($18 tuition and $2 registration). Snak Shak recommended spending allowance was 15-20 cents per day. Transportation was available from five Florida cities at a rage of $2.50 (Orland0) to $6.50 (Hollywood). The first year, the camps ran Sunday-Saturday.
Lots (100′ x 200′) were available for as little as $500 at 1% down and 6% interest ($5 down and $5 per month). By 1964 fifty lots had been purchased.
In 1965 the rates were increased to $22 ($20 tuition and $2 registration). Snak Shak allowance was raised to 3o cents per day. The camps were now Saturday to Saturday – likely due to transportation. By 1967 the rates were increased to $32 ($30 tuition and $2 registration).
The final summer was 1970.
There were youth retreats around Thanksgiving 1970 and Easter in the spring of 1971. That was the last event at the Orange Springs Camp Horizon.
Summer Camp 1971 was cancelled.