What’s Going On With Florida’s New ‘Remote Gay Sex Camp’?
Clewiston, Florida, a town on the southwest corner of Lake Okeechobee surrounded by farmland, is reportedly becoming the new home of a “remote gay sex camp,” with developers purchasing the 269-acre plot once belonging to Eckerd Youth Alternatives, a non-profit dedicated to serving at-risk teens. The organization shuttered the facility several years ago. Snapped up by a Ft. Lauderdale company calling itself Bazu LLC, the land is zoned for certain housing types, but emails circulating are referring to it as the location of a new gay-oriented camping … facility. The new outpost is expected to be called Vitambi Springs Resort, which already has its own Facebook page and website, and whose parent company VSR Development Corp. is owned by the same three men — Steven W. McCloud (president), Martin C. Ruddock (vice president/treasurer), and Antonio P. Barone (vice president) — who own Bazu LLC. And if Vitambi’s Facebook profile is to be believed, as of now 42 people “like” the impending arrival of their new neighbor. And why wouldn’t they? A chance to commune with your fellow gay man in nature, away from it all? Just be sure to pack your condoms, lube, and deet.
Reads the caption to the below photo: “THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!! GET READY FOR A NEW PIECE OF PARADISE IN SOUTH FLORIDA!!”
@Charlie Jackpot: Deet is mosquito repellent.
How long before heteros discover this place and turn it into a Walmart with McMansions?
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I grew up around that area. No idea how they intend to get a gay community interested in going there.
Clewiston has less than 7000 residents, 25% of whom live below the poverty line. Go to the next couple of towns east around the lake and that rises to 40%.
All of the land was devoted to either Sugar Cane, huge vegetable farms or cattle for 75 years. DDT was used by the tanker load to keep the bugs under control.
Even though it sits a hundred yards from the 2nd largest fresh water lake in the country, you can’t see it because of the big dike erected to keep hurricanes from blowing all the water out and drowning anyone around.
Don’t let the natives fool you. A “palmetto bug” is nothing but a giant flying roach, and on an average acre of land you’ll find everything from armadillo’s to any one or more of the 4 or 5 poisonous snakes that infest the area.
For at least 7 or 8 months of the year it’s a humid swamp, not even worth rolling down a window for if you are lost enough to be driving through.
It’s 60 miles or more to any decent town with an airport.
Lots of luck – the community could use the money, but I wonder if it will work.
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Jim’s criticisms about the climate and natural conditions could be leveled at any place around south Florida. That goes with the territory. Some of us like it hot.
This is a camp and recreational facility just sitting there waiting to be reactivated. It is 25 minutes away from downtown Clewiston. That’s part of its appeal. There is a cell tower a few miles away but the point is to get away from urban development and get back to nature. You shouldn’t go camping if you just have to have all the trappings of city life.
I took a tour last month and the place is really nice for being out in the middle of nowhere. It will appeal to tent campers and a limited number of RVers. They have little camping huts scattered throughout the woods with their own open air showers and cooking grills. They have about 6 to 8 dorm rooms where the camp counselors used to live that I think they’re going to rent out for starters until they develop the place more.
They have a huge clubhouse in the main office building with a full kitchen and a patio where they will put in a lounge and dance floor. The original camp also installed a new gigantic water processing plant before it closed so there is plenty of drinkable water which is nice. So you can rough it or be a picky Mary, your choice.
Their plans are very ambitious but these guys seem to have their stuff together unlike other gay businesses who think they can just sit on their butts and drink all day without improving anything. These guys are for real. I’m hopeful that they succeed because it’s half the drive time from Ft Lauderdale to Vitambi Springs compared to Sawmill.
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As a straight guy who happens to sell campgrounds, all I have to say is that it’s too bad the place will cater only to gays, it is a truly beautiful place, and will appeal to anyone who loves nature. Full disclosure: I represented the buyers of Vitambi Springs, and they’re great guys who will make this a first class resort. But, it’s not for everyone; only those who love nature. And, yes, it will be hot in the summer; but what place in central florida isn’t? Check it out, guys….It’s worth the drive!
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if you were never fortunate as a child to get to go camping, then i suggest you get a group of friends together and go as a group – it is always a good idea to take your own fun on the first trip – there is still plenty for each of you to go off and do on your own, or not at all. Make sure a few in your group have gone camping before so they know how to prepare for your trip. if not, then ask others who have – you want it to be a good experience and not a disaster because you failed to be prepared. Also, try and keep your criticism to a minimum – this is not a weekend in a hotel – it is camping – keep an open mind and enjoy and embrace the nature, the quiet and the simple life. I have done this several times with groups of different friends and they still talk about the great experience.
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It seems there are some very different views on this place.
Can anyone tell me, as a non-camper, what you actually do here. Are there nature walks? Do they have “springs” in Vitambi springs where you can swim or go boating?
Are there group events like special parties or gatherings, or is the experience more like you make a fire, cook your meals and relax? Is there a real toilet?.. I hate those hole in the ground stinky portopotties.
What do you do IF you run out of food or need some supplies, where do you go to get some basic stuff?
Last question: why is there no pool??? As these posts have all said…….it IS hot here in south Florida! On that note…..is there electric so you could have air-conditioning in a cabin or at least plug in a fan?
Thanks!!,
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@Shorefun:
Gee, opinions vary. That never happens elsewhere, does it? I’ve visited there on a day pass and bought a year membership, so I will be camping some day soon.
First, you might not fit the type of guy who would enjoy Vitambi Springs if you don’t like the things you list. There are plenty of “campgrounds” where you basically bring your whole house with you, which is less like camping and more like moving. Perhaps they would be more to your liking?
Most of your questions are answered on their web site so that is the place to start. I’ll summarize here.
Vitambi Springs is a campground. You bring a tent, pick a spot either on a wooden platform, on the ground in one of the clearings set aside for it, or really rough it out in the woods away from everybody. Bring everything you need. This means EVERYTHING, not just a few things. Remember, you are camping. They have a little camp store there to buy essentials or you can drive 20 miles or so up to Clewiston to go to the grocery store or “Walmark”.
They have a new brick/block dormitory building that was used by the Eckerd’s camp counselors with 8 air conditioned rooms, but I have to believe those sell out fast on weekends. There are a few other cabins and trailers for rent also. RV spaces are coming, but will not be a big focus for Vitambi.
They have a small lake for canoeing, but not swimming. The pool is in the works, but you can’t reasonably expect a new place to start business fully grown, they have to get permits, find contractors to do the work, build the pool, and then you can swim in it. They are well aware of how hot it gets in Summer and I predict the pool will be the focal point of Vitambi.
Because this used to be an operating camp for troubled youths (no doubt with plenty of government funding) it came ready made with a brand new bathhouse that even you might find acceptable. I mean it is BRAND NEW with a row of toilet stalls, showers, sinks, nice new clean tile, shiny new fixtures, the works. It was the last thing Eckerds put in before they closed the camp a few years ago so it had never been used. They have a huge water treatment plant that was part of that installation so there is fresh water with no aftertaste.
For the civilized crowd there is a bar/lounge and full commercial kitchen in the air conditioned main clubhouse that serve on weekends for now. Maybe on busy weeks in the summer they might serve during the week, I don’t know. They have dances out back in the “tool shed”, but you might get hot and naked and sweaty and enjoy yourself there, so I’d avoid that place.
I don’t think it would kill anybody to try it out on a day pass one day just to hang out, walk around to see the place, have a few drinks, go to the dance, whatever. See for yourself, then you don’t have to take somebody else’s word for it. It’s called living. Live a little.
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Well I visited the resort as they so called call it. I was not impressed has a lot to go to be a campground or a resort. I understand it is a new concept in the middle of the everglades/swamp. I received there invite via the Ft Lauderdale Gay Pride Fest. I took a plesant ride from Miami to the suite on a Sunday, I nice ride, but would never find the place at night. I was also concerned the resort is dark,poorly lighted and has no closed gates or gaurds. The place would make a great Jamestown Guiana Spot. The concept is there for potiental, the welcome center is a beautiful attraction, the lounge and bar is nice, the food was actually very good and reasonable prioed. Many of the guests that were dining and as I were comparing it to Sawmill Resort in Dade City Florida a much longer established gay campground. I must admit the theme nights and the theme areas are a nice market tool, but cant see anything for those place in real life only a self drawn map. The shower house are clean and large. The swamp like lake needs a deck or pation or paddle boats. The ruff tent cabins, look like they have been vacant for year. I do like the location, providing you bring all your food supplies or plan on eating in hall intire stay. The Hotel/dorms appear nice. I think a pool or some lighting should have been in place before opening or celebrating a new camp. I love to be nude, love public sex, outdoors, natures. I did purchase a seasonal pass and a day pass. I wish to have been more impressed on my first visit. The concept is great, the potential is there, the privatcy is great. The drive is nice during the day, just dont stop if a buzzared is following. There web suite and brochures are very professional and inviting just a bit deceiving when comparing to what you actually see upon arrival. I will return to use my pass even stay a night, just hope the economy and most first impressions dont stop returns.
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The name Vitambi sounds lame. I don’t know, it doesn’t sound too inviting.