Camp Live Oak

Camp begins on Monday, and after months of planning, staff training, and preparation, we are excited to welcome campers for another unforgettable summer at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.

As we celebrate our 38th summer, we are also preparing for our American Camp Association reaccreditation. Camp Live Oak has proudly maintained ACA accreditation for 37 years, meeting more than 350 standards for health, safety, staffing, and program quality, making us one of the few accredited day camps in Broward County.

This past year brought record enrollment for our Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Camps, all with waiting lists, and Summer 2026 is following the same trend. Several age groups for Week One are already at capacity, and enrollment throughout the summer continues to be strong. While openings remain in many sessions, families are encouraged to register early.

We’re especially excited about our new Camp Base Tent, which will provide additional space for activities and rainy days. Most of all, we are grateful to have an exceptional team of returning counselors and staff members ready to make this one of our best summers ever.

Camp Live Oak proudly welcomes children from all walks of life. Through the generosity of our supporters and ongoing fundraising efforts, we have been able to provide scholarships to many families in need. We are especially proud of our commitment to inclusion and the successful mainstreaming of children with autism and other special needs, creating a camp community where every child is valued, accepted, and encouraged to thrive.

For nearly four decades, Camp Live Oak has introduced children to the wonders of the outdoors while fostering friendships, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for nature. Many of our current staff members were once campers themselves, and each year we are touched to welcome former campers who now bring their own children to continue the tradition.

Our popular Salty Anglers Fishing Camp is nearly at capacity for both sessions, so families interested in joining should register soon.

At Camp Live Oak, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to explore, belong, and discover the gifts within themselves.

Registration is still open for many summer weeks.

Learn more or register today at:
www.campliveoakfl.com

Thank you to the thousands of families from all over the world who have trusted us over the past 38 summers. We look forward to another season filled with swimming, canoeing, fishing, archery, science, nature exploration, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Know a family looking for a quality summer camp experience? Please share this post and help us continue serving children for generations to come.

Ft Lauderdale BeachChildren's Opportunity Group of BrowardBroward EnvironmentTravel + Leisure@

We are incredibly honored and grateful to have been voted a South Florida Family Favorite for 2026!

For 37 years, Camp Live Oak has introduced children to the wonders of nature through hands-on science, fishing, canoeing, archery, environmental education, and outdoor adventure at beautiful Birch State Park.

This recognition means so much because it comes from the families we serve. Thank you to every parent, camper, staff member, volunteer, donor, and supporter who has been part of our journey. Your trust and encouragement make everything we do possible.

As we prepare for another exciting summer, we look forward to welcoming new and returning campers to explore, discover, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Thank you, South Florida, for making Camp Live Oak a Family Favorite! Hugh Taylor Birch State ParkFriends of Hugh Taylor Birch State ParkChildren's Opportunity Group of Broward

We are incredibly honored and grateful to have been voted a South Florida Family Favorite for 2026!

For 37 years, Camp Live Oak has introduced children to the wonders of nature through hands-on science, fishing, canoeing, archery, environmental education, and outdoor adventure at beautiful Birch State Park.

This recognition means so much because it comes from the families we serve. Thank you to every parent, camper, staff member, volunteer, donor, and supporter who has been part of our journey. Your trust and encouragement make everything we do possible.

As we prepare for another exciting summer, we look forward to welcoming new and returning campers to explore, discover, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Thank you, South Florida, for making Camp Live Oak a Family Favorite!

Learn more about our summer programs at:
www.campliveoakfl.com

EnvironmentalEducation OutdoorAdventure FortLauderdale NatureKids ACAAccredited

We are incredibly honored and grateful to have been voted a South Florida Family Favorite for 2026!

For 37 years, Camp Live Oak has introduced children to the wonders of nature through hands-on science, fishing, canoeing, archery, environmental education, and outdoor adventure at beautiful Birch State Park.

This recognition means so much because it comes from the families we serve. Thank you to every parent, camper, staff member, volunteer, donor, and supporter who has been part of our journey. Your trust and encouragement make everything we do possible.

As we prepare for another exciting summer, we look forward to welcoming new and returning campers to explore, discover, and create memories that last a lifetime.

Thank you, South Florida, for making Camp Live Oak a Family Favorite!

Learn more about our summer programs at:
www.campliveoakfl.com

EnvironmentalEducation OutdoorAdventure FortLauderdale NatureKids ACAAccredited

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Join us…spaces still available.. www.campliveoakfl.com

This Memorial Day, all of us at Camp Live Oak honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country and our freedom.

Wishing everyone a safe, meaningful, and grateful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

For 37 years, I’ve often been asked what makes Camp Live Oak so special.

The answer has never simply been canoeing, fishing, science, art, or campfires under the trees. It’s something much deeper than that.

What makes Camp Live Oak special is how children feel when they are here.

Today, a former camper came to visit with her own child. As we talked, she became emotional and shared something I will never forget. She told me that as a child with disabilities, Camp Live Oak was the one place she attended where she never felt different. She said we simply treated her like everyone else… and because of that, she felt accepted, confident, and free to just be a kid.

That moment reminded me why this camp has mattered to so many families for generations.

Most children will not remember every activity or every schedule years from now. But they will remember how people made them feel. They will remember kindness. Encouragement. Friendship. The excitement of discovering nature. The confidence of trying something new. The counselor who listened. The feeling of belonging.

At Camp Live Oak, we quietly teach children to respect nature, each other, and themselves. We teach them to move around an ant hill instead of stepping on it. To rescue a spider instead of crushing it. To work together in a canoe. To put down screens and look up at the trees, the water, the sky, and each other.

In a world where childhood feels increasingly rushed and disconnected, we try to give children something simple and important… a place where they can still wonder, explore, grow, and feel accepted exactly as they are.

That is why former campers now bring their own children back to us.

And after 45 years as a camp director, I can honestly say there is no greater honor than that.

Thank you to every family, camper, counselor, volunteer, and supporter who has helped make Camp Live Oak what it is today. You are part of something truly special.

Ken Evans
Founder and Chair
Camp Live Oak

www.campliveoakfl.com

Friends of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Hugh Taylor Birch State Park Children's Opportunity Group of Broward Broward Autism Foundation

As we prepare for Camp Live Oak’s 37th summer at Birch State Park, I can honestly say this may be one of the strongest pre-camp leadership teams we have ever assembled.

This year, we have brought together an extraordinary group of talented young professionals whose backgrounds span marine biology, environmental science, technology, operations, research, music production, education, grant writing, and organizational development. What excites me most is not simply their résumés… it is their energy, intelligence, creativity, professionalism, and genuine passion for learning and working with people.

Lianna Rasimowicz joins us as our Science Teacher and brings an impressive background in coral reef research, marine biology, biodiversity studies, shark tagging, conservation, and environmental field work while completing dual degrees at Nova Southeastern University. Our campers are going to have the opportunity to learn from someone already actively engaged in scientific research and environmental stewardship.

Gianni de Cordova-Rolle joins Camp Live Oak as our new Office Manager, bringing a remarkable combination of technical expertise, customer relations, organizational management, and creativity through his leadership experience with Apple, Best Buy, and Florida International University. His calm professionalism, technical knowledge, and problem-solving abilities are already making a tremendous impact behind the scenes.

We are also incredibly fortunate to have Christian Hunter Johnson joining our foundation and grant development efforts. Hunter brings more than 16 years of operational leadership experience across multiple industries including clinical research, housing management, hospitality, staff development, and strategic growth initiatives. His experience with grant writing, research coordination, organizational systems, and leadership development will help strengthen Camp Live Oak well into the future.

When I look at this team, I truly feel inspired and optimistic about where Camp Live Oak is headed. Great organizations are built by people who believe in the mission, bring fresh ideas, and are willing to work hard together… and I see that spirit very clearly in this group.

The future of Camp Live Oak is bright.

After full programs and waiting lists during Thanksgiving Camp, Winter Camp, and Spring Camp, we are already seeing many Summer Camp weeks begin to fill quickly… especially in certain age groups and specialty programs.

If your child wants a summer filled with fishing, ocean adventures, science, canoeing, nature, and unforgettable memories at Birch State Park, now is the time to register before your preferred weeks close out.

Every summer tells a story… and we can’t wait to welcome another season of discovery, friendships, and outdoor adventure at Camp Live Oak.

For information and registration:
www.campliveoakfl.com
Or call the Camp Office at 954-563-4880.

Happy Mother’s Day from Camp Live Oak!