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Hankley Lake

Camp Kateri

Camp Kateri is located in Hawthorne, Fla., just 30 minutes southeast of Gainesville. Camp Kateri is a 550-acre property with opportunities for archery, canoeing, sailing, kayaking, hiking and exploration. The main gate is locked and requires a code, which will be given upon confirmation of reservation.

There are 213 beds available; additional overnight capacity can be accommodated by self-tent camping with camper supplied tents, ONLY permitted upon raised wooden tent pads. Self-tent camping outside of the raised platforms must be approved in advance of your arrival through Vice President of Property. Number of campers on site during time of self-tent request (outside of raised platforms) is based off maximum capacity ratios of location. Additional capacity requires rental of one portable toilet per 20 people. 

Camp information

Camp Kateri physical address:

183 Camp Shalom Trail, Hawthorne, FL 32640 

*Use for 911 purposes and utilities.

Camp Kateri mailing address: 

Girl Scouts Camp Kateri PO BOX J, Orange Springs, Florida 32182 

• Troop camping prices*
• Camp map
• Make a reservation for Girl Scout members

*For reservation assistance or questions on pricing, please contact us at customercare@girlscouts-gateway.org

 

Units

Hankley Air (North)
HAS Cabin

Maximum capacity: 16
Contains four screened cabins in a semicircle. Cabins each contain four metal cots with mattresses. Each cabin has a short set of stairs up to a screened front door with interior hook-and-eye lock. Cabins have planked floors and include (1) electrical outlet and (1) ceiling fan. A shared bath house with toilets and showers is located between Air and Sea. This unit is nearest the swimming area at Hankley Lake. There is no unit house and cooking at this location will be outside at the fire pit which includes a fire ring and an outdoor charcoal/wood grill. The adjacent covered pavilion is for outside eating and meal preparation. Telephone for emergency and local calls are located near utility shed closest to Hankley Lake. These cabins do not include A/C.

Hankley Sea (South)
HAS Cabin

Maximum capacity: 16

Contains four screened cabins in a semicircle. Cabins each contain four metal cots with mattresses. Each cabin has a short set of stairs up to screened front door with interior hook-and-eye lock.  Cabins have planked floors and include (1) electrical outlet and (1) ceiling fan. A shared bath house with toilets and showers is located between Air and Sea. This unit is nearest the swimming area at Hankley Lake. There is no unit house and cooking at this location will be outside at the fire pit which includes a fire ring and an outdoor charcoal/wood grill. The adjacent covered pavilion is for outside eating and meal preparation. Telephone for emergency and local calls are located near utility shed closest to Hankley Lake. These cabins do not include A/C.

Bunkhouses

Maximum capacity: 30

UNIT WILL NOT BE READY TO RENT UNTIL JANUARY 2022

Bunk House camp site completely renovated 2021! Renovated layouts consist of (1) building utilized as sleeping quarters with 11 bunk beds. 2nd building renovated into camp site unit house to include full kitchen (oven, cook top, refrigerator (no ice) and microwave) tables and chairs within new unit house kitchen can accommodate all campers dining needs. Each renovated building (sleeping quarters and Unit House Kitchen) include air conditioning, ceiling fans and additional wall electrical outlets to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Bathhouse building located between kitchen and sleeping quarters completely renovated to provide 4 individual restrooms with 4 individual shower units. Outside showers located on east side of bathhouse can serve as extra shower stalls when needed. Large firepit centered between buildings can accommodate all of your outside cooking needs, to include large, covered pavilion with picnic tables and outdoor barbeque grill. Location includes (2) full canvas tents that sleep 4 campers per tent when needed as well as a self-tent raised platform for the true outdoor experience!  

Daisy Lodge
DL Int

Maximum capacity: 20

Single building located close to main parking lot and dining hall. Building consists of (3) individual sleeping quarters that can accommodate up to 20 people. Room located left side of building includes the beds, an interior restroom with walk-in shower stall and full kitchen with refrigerator. Additional beds are located in the 2nd private room on the right side. This space contains refrigerator and large restroom area with (1) toilet, (1) sink basin and (3) individual shower stalls. All rooms located within Daisy lodge have air condition and concrete sealed floors. A Large fire pit with outdoor barbeque grill can be found on left side of building with 3 picnic tables and a teether ball area located adjacent to main structure for hours of outside fun!

DL Ext
Lilypad
LP Unit

Maximum capacity: 36

Contains 4 cabins that include electricity with overhead lights and ceiling fans, covered and paved front porches. Each individual cabin can house up to 8 campers per cabin. Cabins are wheelchair accessible. 

Cabins are arranged in a semicircle around unit house with paved connecting walkways. The unit house provides full kitchen accommodations with stove top, oven, microwave, and refrigerator. Bathrooms and showers are attached to the unit house. Telephone is available for emergency and local calls. External lighting is controlled by covered switch on outside of house. A fire circle with benches is located near the unit house.

Lonestar
LS Tent

Maximum capacity: 36

Contains nine platform tents with planked floors, and 4 metal cots and mattresses per tent. Tents are arranged beneath trees near an enclosed unit house that includes a kitchen with stove top, oven, microwave and refrigerator, fireplace, and an attached bath house. The unit house is equipped with electricity, ceiling fans, overhead lighting, and power outlets. The telephone is available for emergency and local calls. A fire circle with benches is located near the unit house.

LS Unit Int
Nancy's Nook
NN

Maximum capacity: 18

Nancy’s Nook is an enclosed unit house that includes a sleeping area for 18, a full kitchen and electricity including ceiling fans and power outlets. The house is partially covered with a planked porch. The bathrooms and showers can be accessed from the interior as well as the exterior. The telephone is available for emergency and local calls. A fire circle is located between the house and the water and includes a barbeque grill so you can enjoy the views of McCarthy Lake during your stay.

Rainbow Circle
RB Cir

Maximum capacity: 8

Rainbow Circle includes 2 platform tents and 3 raised tent platforms with rain covers over tent platforms. It is located adjacent to main dining hall for easy access. The camping area includes fire pit with outdoor barbeque grill, covered picnic pavilion with tables under, electrical power to covered pavilion, and a water spigot. The restrooms include shower stalls and are located to the rear of dining hall main restroom, providing campers Rainbow circle privacy.

Seagull Port
Port Int

Maximum capacity: 18

This Seagull unit contains one cabin that sleeps 18 people. The center of the cabin houses a kitchenette, including a microwave, refrigerator, and electricity. The bathrooms are located inside the cabin. The outdoor pavilion has picnic tables and access to power for outdoor cooking. A shared fire circle with benches is located between Port and Starboard. 

Seagull Starboard
Starboard

Maximum capacity: 18

This Seagull unit contains one cabin that sleeps 18 people. The center of cabin houses a kitchenette, including a microwave, refrigerator, and electricity. The bathrooms are located inside the cabin. The outdoor pavilion has picnic tables and access to power for outdoor cooking. A shared fire circle with benches is located between Port and Starboard. 

Treehouses
Treehouse 1

Maximum capacity: 31

Treehouses contains 9 cabins on stilts and an enclosed unit house. Each cabin contains four built-in wooden bunk beds (however occupancy is 3 individuals per treehouse unit at this time) with mattresses and are enclosed on the sides with screened front and back walls.  Treehouse Units are accessible via a flight of wooden stairs that lead to a small porch area. The front door has a hook-and-eye latch, and the rear emergency door locks with a slide bolt. The adjacent unit house contains sleeping arrangements for 4 people, a full kitchen, functioning fireplace and electricity. The telephone is available for emergency and local calls. There is a separate bath house that includes toilets and shower stalls. 

**Note: Treehouses are only available to girls and troops who are Juniors and older.

  

 

Other areas

Archery Range
Archery

Maximum participants: 6
This covered shooting range includes new archery targets, new archery equipment and different sized bows to accommodate all age groups.

Boats
Boat House

There are two different skill level sail boats available to campers: 12 Tram style (beginner) and four Laser style (advanced)

o   Other boats include:

o   Kayaks with paddles (36)

o   Canoes with paddles (20)

o   Paddleboards (6)

o   Life jackets (PFD’s) are provided

o   McCarthy Lake (Nancy Nook area) is the primary boating lake at Camp Kateri.

Dining Hall
Dinig Hall

Maximum occupancy: 200
This large, open main eating area includes a commercial grade kitchen with walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer and food service utensils for all food prep and service.

The dining hall also has separate sleeping quarters to house Chef during events (if required)

Hankley Lake

Hankley Lake is the primary swimming lake located at the center of Camp Kateri. It includes a swimming dock with enclosed swimming area, a large new beach-front area installed in 2019 to accommodate swimmers and staff and a restroom for campers. Fishing is allowed, so bring your fishing pole and spend some time catching spring fed fish. Canoeing is also available at this location.

Hankley Lake
McCarthy Lake
McCarthy Lake

McCarthy Lake is the primary boating lake within Camp Kateri. It is where we hold our annual aquatics camp and includes a covered dock area to allow swimming and a new lake-front beach. Fishing is allowed, so bring your fishing pole and spend some time catching spring fed fish.

  

 

Important information

Check-in

Upon arrival, all vehicles should park in the main parking area. All vehicles should back in. One emergency vehicle is allowed to park at the unit by backing into the designated space; this vehicle should not move unless used for an emergency. Campers can utilize wheelbarrows to load extra gear and walk to the campsite. For checking in, the Camp-trained volunteer is to check in with the ranger at the station in front of the ranger house before heading to their reserved units. At time of check-in, make arrangements with the camp ranger for check-out. If your actual arrival time will differ more than one hour from the estimated arrival time indicated on your troop camp reservation, please call the camp ranger to notify them of any change in plans.

Garbage containers

Containers are available at all camps and unit houses. Campers must bring their own heavy-duty trash bags. Place full bags in the dumpster located in front of the dining hall prior to leaving camp.

Motorized carts

Only if approved with ranger BEFORE arrival with documented medical condition. Gateway must be listed as lost payee on insurance. 

ATV Gator: ATV Gators are available for rent for camporees only and will only have 2 designated drivers permitted during the rental.

On-site equipment and what to bring

What equipment to bring: Cleaning Supplies

Items Included on site:

o   Firewood is included in your stay unless extremely wet conditions are present prior your arrival.  Call ahead to find out in this case. 

o   Ice SectionAn ice machine at Hankley Lake is accessible to all visitors for your needs while on site. Arrive with coolers filled with ice. The ice machine in the dining hall is for refills only.

Swimming

Two lakes are available for swimming. Campers that swim MUST supply a lifeguard and an appropriate number of Water Watchers, per the Safety Activity Checkpoints.

Ice

Arrive with coolers filled with ice. The ice machine in the dining hall is for refills only.

Unit sharing

Two or more troops may share units as long as girl-adult ratios are followed. If your reservation does not fill the unit, other Girl Scout groups may reserve the additional space. Groups would share the unit house.

Departing camp

See clean-up checklist provided in folder at check-in. Leave your unit cleaner than you found it, and have the ranger inspect the campsite before leaving. Two girls should be chosen to help with camp inspection and correct any areas that don’t meet standards. Report any equipment problems to the ranger.

  

 

Considerations for all properties

• Household pets are not permitted on Girl Scout properties except for service dogs.

• Recreational vehicles (RVs) on camp properties for use in overnight accommodations are not permitted.

• Alcohol policy: Alcohol is never permitted on any Gateway Council property. 

• Smoking policy: All tobacco products (including vapor, dip, cigarettes, etc.) are to be used out of sight of all girls and no closer than 50 feet from their location.  All products must be placed in a fire-safe container (such as a can with water) prior to placing into the trash. Location must be clean of all tobacco products prior to rejoining the girls. The girl-adult ratio must be maintained in your absence.

• In the event a fire ban is enforced in the state or county, Girl Scouts of Gateway Council will adhere to the following procedure: There will be no open fires at North Fork Leadership Center and Camp Kateri. Campers may use the fixed charcoal grills or a self-contained grill with charcoal as long as it is kept inside the fire circle.

• Thermometers are available for each refrigeration unit. Chef-trained supervisors and/or camp-trained volunteers should monitor the temperature of the refrigeration unit upon arrival at camp and at least daily during camp stay. Notify camp ranger if temperature exceeds 40 degrees F. Ice chests or coolers for cookouts or temporary food storage should be monitored for safe temperatures. Any “potentially hazardous food” stored in ice chests may not be returned to the kitchen.