Florida Sea Base History

The Florida Sea Base

History

All Adventures

Reservations Info

"My mind belongs to my work, My heart belongs to my family, and my soul belongs to God in the woods" - Sam Wampler

In 1975 a handful of volunteers from Miami, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia got together to develop a high adventure program using the waters in and around the Florida Keys as their foundation. They asked the then Camping Director of the South Florida Council, Sam Wampler, to coordinate trips to Freeport in the Bahamas. Sam, using his station wagon and a warehouse, operated this program until 1979. The committee unable to find a director for this ever growing program convinced Sam to become the first Director of the "Florida Gateway". Under Sam's leadership the National Council received a 1.3 million dollar grant from the Fleischmann Foundation. Following some extensive research, the Old Tollgate Motel and Marina was purchased. That original 6.3 acres became the beginning of what is now known as the Florida Sea Base.

Since that original gift, there have been several other grants and purchases which have allowed the base to grow. From 1990 to the present, the growth has been dramatic with the addition of a third dorm, a conference center, conference housing and a new maintenance building. The original restaurant was given a major facelift to create one of the finest kitchens in the Keys. A new chapel has been created and a 45 foot Corinthian catamaran has been purchased. In short, the Florida Sea Base has come of age. What was once a rundown motel, a real eyesore of the community, is now a beautiful facility serving thousands of young people.

The Florida Sea Base is the only facility of its kind in the world and is a jewel in the crown of Scouting's finest programs.