Camp Dovewood celebrates 38 years

Published 12:00 pm Thursday, July 23, 2015

Nearly 300 girls between the ages of seven and 16 traveled to O’Brien this summer to participate at Camp Dovewood, a Christian camp on 240 acres, celebrating its 38th season.  

Activities abound at Camp Dovewood. They offer a diverse equestrian program as well as a multitude of other activities that keep campers coming back year after year.

“Dovewood offers instruction in horseback riding, swimming, archery, softball, volleyball, tennis, music, drama, art, Bible, river rafting, water ballet, ballet, photography, great books, Christian leadership, grooming and stable management, veterinary care, cheerleading, baton, gymnastics and basketball,” said co-director Roberta Richmond.

There are 31 horses at Camp Dovewood. The types include dressage horses, rodeo: barrel-bending, English and Western Pleasure. They are kid safe and they love to be brushed, groomed and ridden, said Richmond.

The activities are so much fun, they attract participants from all over the world.

Richmond said, “70 percent of the girls are from from Florida, but we do have girls this summer from Moscow, Russia; Dominican Republic; Urugray; South Africa; Ukraine; China; Mexico; Honduras; Texas; Colorado; New York; Pennsylvania; Virginia; New Jersey; North and South Carolina; Georgia; Alabama; and Tennessee.

This camp offers unique opportunities that that set it apart from other camps.

River rafting trips on the Ichetucknee and overnight horseback trips to the Suwannee River are two activities that the girls love, Richmond said.

Christian camping also distinguishes this program from others.

“Girls seem to find their purpose, grow in the Lord, realize their worth, polish talent and make awesome friends who enjoy the out of doors,” said Richmond. “We have a dynamic, Jesus-filled staff that are extremely talented, certified and love children.”

Camp Dovewood employs multiple professionals to facilitate this program.

“We have a registered nurse on staff, three lifeguards, three water safety instructors, certified riding instructors as well as wonderful cooks,” said Richmond. 
She continued by explaining there are 12 senior counselors, three junior counselors and 15 counselors in training.

The camp is accredited and certified in various areas.

“Camp Dovewood is accredited with the American Camping Association, the Certified Horsemanship Association as well as the Christian Camp and Conference Center,” said Richmond.

She directs the program with her husband, Jim Richmond. He is alway behind the scenes making sure everything runs well. He is Dovewood’s engineer and plays multiple important roles that benefit the camp in many ways, she explained.

Richmond has a master’s degree from Emory University and taught school in Suwannee County for 30 years. 
“The girls who come to Dovewood are the type of girls every teacher wishes were in their class,” she said. “They will make an amazing difference in their homes, school, sport teams as well as churches.”

Richomnd explained that she and husband Jim started the camp in 1977. The first year, they had 44 campers sign up. At the time, they offered six activities and riding with four horses, two of which were borrowed. That first year, her mother cooked, she explained.  

They have come a long way since then. Now, the camp has 24 activities, two tennis courts, one large pool and 31 horses. This camp is still expanding. In the future they may offer mother/daughter and father/daughter retreats as well as couples retreats for the day and evening. There is also the possibility of opening the camp in the fall for people who may like to stay as a family in a cabin and do a family farm day, explained Richmond.