May 2025 spotlight
Through Caring Beyond Cleaning, we donate a day or two of cleaning to a local nonprofit. We pick a new one each month. For May 2025 we worked at Camp Kiwanis, run by the Kiwanis Club of Ocala.
Why Camp Kiwanis
Camp Kiwanis sits on Mill Dam Lake in the Ocala National Forest and has run since 1948. Kids ages 7 to 13 spend a week swimming, canoeing and doing archery there, and the Kiwanis Club gives scholarships so kids who can’t afford it can still go. The summer program is run together with Marion County Public Schools. It has cabins, dorms, a pavilion and outbuildings that all need upkeep, and like most nonprofits it runs on a tight budget. Every dollar the camp doesn’t spend on cleaning can go to the kids.
What we did
Our crew spent two full days soft washing and pressure washing the camp:
- Dorms. We washed mildew, dirt and algae off the exteriors.
- Concrete and sidewalks. We took the slippery algae and grime off the busy walkways.
- The big pavilion. Meals and group activities happen here, so we washed it from roof to floor.
- Outbuildings. We cleaned the sheds, bathhouses and other buildings.
The Kiwanis members coordinated access and timing for our crew. Thank you for having us.
One of our favorite moments came from a retired Kiwanis volunteer, who told us:
“I went to this camp in the ’60s, and now I help send my grandkids here. What you’re doing makes a difference.”
Support the camp
To donate, volunteer or rent the camp, visit the Kiwanis Club of Ocala.
Nominate a cause
Past Caring Beyond Cleaning recipients have included local churches and animal rescues, and we take nominations every month. Know a nonprofit that could use a hand? Call (352) 489-3339 or use our quote form. We’ve been part of the Ocala community since 2008.
