The City of Apopka is trying to save the beloved Camp Wewa. According to the YMCA of Central Florida that runs the camp, the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the camp’s finances and have forced the nonprofit to look into selling it. Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson said the YMCA contacted the city three weeks ago that a developer is interested in buying the property to build houses. But the city wants to save it and keep the camp going. “I’ve got a real affection for Camp Wewa, went there as a kid myself so it’s got a special place in my heart,” said Mayor Nelson. The camp has been around since 1947. Nelson said the property has an estimated value of $5 million. In hopes of potentially buying it, the mayor said the city could use a combination of funding: $800,000 from parks and recreation impact fees, money made if the city sells land that it was going to develop into soccer fields and a state grant. The city is working on applying for a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant which could award up to $1 million. “Obviously, this wasn’t something we planned on when we started talking budgets last May, June. But you only get one chance to get it and one chance to lose it,” Nelson said. “So we want this to be our chance to make this happen.”City leaders surveyed the community via an online survey and Nelson said 96% of people who responded want to save Camp Wewa which he calls a local, national and international treasure. “What just blew me away: We had 150,000 people have viewed that Facebook post from 23 countries,” he said. The City of Apopka is holding a fundraiser on Feb. 13 to raise money for Camp Wewa, from 12-4 p.m. on 5th Street.
The City of Apopka is trying to save the beloved Camp Wewa.
According to the YMCA of Central Florida that runs the camp, the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the camp’s finances and have forced the nonprofit to look into selling it.
Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson said the YMCA contacted the city three weeks ago that a developer is interested in buying the property to build houses. But the city wants to save it and keep the camp going.
“I’ve got a real affection for Camp Wewa, went there as a kid myself so it’s got a special place in my heart,” said Mayor Nelson.
The camp has been around since 1947. Nelson said the property has an estimated value of $5 million. In hopes of potentially buying it, the mayor said the city could use a combination of funding: $800,000 from parks and recreation impact fees, money made if the city sells land that it was going to develop into soccer fields and a state grant. The city is working on applying for a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant which could award up to $1 million.
“Obviously, this wasn’t something we planned on when we started talking budgets last May, June. But you only get one chance to get it and one chance to lose it,” Nelson said. “So we want this to be our chance to make this happen.”
City leaders surveyed the community via an online survey and Nelson said 96% of people who responded want to save Camp Wewa which he calls a local, national and international treasure.
“What just blew me away: We had 150,000 people have viewed that Facebook post from 23 countries,” he said.
The City of Apopka is holding a fundraiser on Feb. 13 to raise money for Camp Wewa, from 12-4 p.m. on 5th Street.
