Circle F Dude Ranch Camp - Lake Wales, Florida

Stephanie C.

My son has just returned from Spring Break camp and is so sad that he can't just stay there! He has told me several times, "I want to go back to camp!" This was his second Spring Break camp and he attended last summer session B as well. He had been to another camp in the GA mountains for two summers and likes Circle F much better.

The peer group is inclusive, the counselors are fun and work hard, the camp is well run from decades of experience, activities are nonstop, my son loves the food, I'm not aware of any negatives about Circle F. It's also a good value, as sleep away camps go. Drop offs and pickups are smooth, fast and efficient.

The few negative reviews I read here lead me to believe that some people are expecting something Circle F is not. It's a Dude Ranch, emphasis on "ranch". It's about having fun mostly in nature, the bunkhouses are functional and totally in keeping with the setting. The mattresses are exactly the same ones every boarding school uses. This is not luxury, it's not meant to be! And even if the bunkhouses were immaculate upon arrival, the kids get dirty and bring their dirt where they go and are no doubt delighted to have the break from having to worry about it. Think scouting, not Ritz Carlton!

When my son is at Circle F I feel 100% confident that he is safe, respected, learning and having a blast. Love Circle F!!

Levana A.

The place is great but I did not enjoy the way the staff was speaking to the kids like if they were all kids who were disrespectful when they did not even start talking. Staff was trained to yell and repeatedly shame the kids for not being polite and that was not how you model a behavior .
The people there could use some training on positive reinforcement.

Shaun P.

Our daughter attended the Spring Break session for the first time. We were unsure of what to expect but she had an amazing time! She's already begging us to come back for both the Summer sessions and next Spring Break! Thanks to all the counselors and directors that operate this wonderful program for our kiddos!

Randy M.

This was the first year we sent our twin 9 year olds to Circle F. The staff was amazing. My children made new friends and the counselors loved our children as their own. I felt confident that my children were being cared for safely. There were many tears as we were leaving which to me is a good sign. We will be back for many more summers!

Update**

My kids are now 13 and just attended their 5th spring break camp and will complete their 5th summer camp this July. They absolutely love it at Circle F. They have fallen in love with the horses and the counselors are great. My daughter cried the first 3 years on the way home because she missed her counselors. They participate in the rodeo in the summer and have nothing but great memories.

Chris B.

My daughter has been going for 4 years now and she just loves it. The kids, counselors and support staff are always very friendly and helpful. We will be back!!!

Karyleen M.

It is a great place. The personnel is amazing. The food is mouthwatering, the cooks when I went were Hispanics, soooooo taaaassstefullllllll ! The only thing that I don't like it was the bed mattresses ( bring air mattress or sleeping bags) other than that , spectacular !!! Beautiful views!

James D.

This place is really special. Well run. Family friendly. And the outdoor expedition (OE) team knocked it out of the park for our entire group.

Dave M.

My 9 year old girl loved her 3 weeks. It was her first time away for longer than a couple days. She made friends and loves her councilor. She won a soccer award and she was very proud. We loved watching all the campers in the rodeo. We had a smile every day looking at the daily pictures. So, happy she had such a great time!