KEYSTONE HEIGHTS — For Serena Rogers, the essence of summer camp is having a home away from home.

A place to be yourself and take a break from the real world, whether that be with fun moments by the campfire, arts and crafts with new friends or a friendly game of capture the flag.

“Whenever I went to camp, it was my favorite week of the entire year,” Rogers said. “I looked forward to going to camp all the time.”

And she wants to maintain that essence. As the new camp director for YMCA Camp Immokalee, she said she's elevating the summertime haven to new heights.

Camp Immokalee opened in 1909 and, since then, has welcomed generations of overnight and day campers to the shores of Lake Brooklyn, providing a summer they will never forget. 

From horse rides on the active ranch and jet-skiing in the aquatic water sports area to shooting arrows at the archery range and zip-lining through the camp's adventure course, Rogers said there's a plethora of fun activities for the 200-plus weekly campers to get involved in.

"We're just all about building a community and bringing the joy of camp to kids all around," she said. 

Camp Immokalee opened back in 1909.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YMCA CAMP IMMOKALEE

Rogers arrived in Keystone Heights with a deep passion for camping, having already grown accustomed to being outdoors and enjoying the serene sights. Rogers said the fact that the current Associate Vice President of Overnight Camp Services, Allison Krabill, was her camp counselor at one point and a former colleague, was full circle. 

With a background in education and youth development, and a previous role as assistant director at Warner-Tully YMCA in Port Gibson, Mississippi, Rogers said she is focused on providing the best experience for local campers — unplugging from electronics and plugging into nature instead. 

"I think that they're exposed to way too much now, so this is [an] opportunity for them to take a step away from that and get to just be kids," Rogers said. 

Since taking on the role in early June, Rogers said it has been a learning experience, but she has been having the time of her life. 

"This is the best job ever," she said. "I am so blessed. Truly."

The camp is hoping to welcome up to 2,300 children during its 10 weeks.

PHOTO COURTESY OF YMCA CAMP IMMOKALEE

More first-time campers are ready to come back, and children are coming out of their shells. She said the impact the camp has made is fantastic. 

"It's always my favorite to see the ones who don't know anybody in their cabin, and then by the end of the week [they] are laughing and having the best time with their group and with their new group of friends. It's pretty awesome," she said. 

As of now, Rogers said her primary focus is growth.  The camp hopes to welcome up to 2,300 children over its 10-week period. Additionally, next summer, Camp Immokalee will begin allowing campers as young as 10th grade to participate in their counselor-in-training program. 

"Our goal is to be able to expand the CIT program," she said. 

Overall, she hopes to build on what has already been done and further expand the camp's success. 

"I just want to make it the best it can be. I want to make the community stronger, and I want as many people to experience it as possible," she said. 

The camp still has spots open for the last week in July and the first week in August. To register, visit camp.fcymca.org.