About Us

“Every acre of this camp is sacred ground. Here young people by the hundreds come to meet Christ and accept him as Savior and Lord of their lives. Through many generations, we trust that these beautiful and substantial buildings and these lovely grounds on the shore of this gorgeous lake will be saying to all who pass that Florida Methodists believe that the gospel of Christ is exactly suited to mingle with the warm rush of youth’s blood and to keep time with youth’s bounding heart.”

– Dr. Ira Barnett

In the years following WWII, American churches across the nation launched into a massive undertaking to develop programs for young people. Among Florida Methodists, that movement happened in the form of “Youth Caravans” and “Comradeship Teams,” young adults who traveled the state all summer to put on programs for children and youth. These “Adventure Camps,” “Life Institutes,” and “Youth Assemblies” were so successful that in 1944, the Methodist Conference in Florida formed a committee to look for a suitable property to build a permanent campus for youth ministry. In 1946, they acquired 47 acres from the city of Leesburg and the Central Florida Boy Scout Council, and fundraising began to build a camp on the shores of Lake Griffin. At the time, Leesburg was a bigger city than Orlando and the meeting point of two major state highways that connected the north and south of the state. That same year, Warren W. Willis was appointed Director of Youth Work. Warren went to work leading the traveling summer team and raising funds to build on the Leesburg property.

The dream for a camp took off. Donations came in from churches, and young people gave their own money at regional youth rallies. Additional land was donated and purchased, and acres were cleared. Lake County built a road from the highway out to the property, the first buildings went up in 1948, and the first summer programs were held at Florida Methodist Youth Camp in 1949. Residential camp programming took off in Florida, and additional properties were developed over the next few decades on the northern and southern ends of the state and on the west coast. 

The two sites operated separately for decades, each with its own staff, budget, and client base. In 2016, the decision was made to merge the youth camp and the conference center into one cohesive site. Today, the Warren Willis United Methodist Camp and Conference Center continues its mission of 70+ years, as we prepare a sacred space in a natural setting for all to grow in community and connect with Christ.

We are located in Fruitland Park, FL, only a few miles from the intersection of state highways 441 and 27. We are on the shores of Lake Griffin, part of the Harris Chain of Lakes. We are 60 miles from the Orlando Airport. Tampa airport is 94 miles away. We are 72 miles from Gainesville and 130 miles from Jacksonville. 

We are only 3 miles off the highway, so guests are never too far from stores and supplies.