KNOW. GROW. SHOW.
A CHRISTIAN WILDERNESS CAMP IN FORSYTH, GEORGIA
WHAT IS CAMP KALEO?
Kaleo, pronounced kal-eh’-o, is the Greek source word which Bible translators render as “called ones.”
At the Camp Kaleo Retreat Center, the staff is called to be in fellowship with one another as we serve and worship God. As Christians we are called to bear Christ’s name, to be transformed and to be renewed. We are called, not by our own choosing, but by God’s call. We are called to renew the Spirit of God within you, your family, and your church.
The facilities at the Camp Kaleo Retreat Center are comfortable, rustic, and have a wilderness camp atmosphere. The campus is located on 318 acres in Forsyth, Georgia, and features a lake, swimming pool, activity field, gymnasium, and trails cutting through the surrounding hardwood forest.
MEET OUR CAMP STAFF
HOPE CASTILLO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hope (Bongo), served on staff from 2010-2014. She was a volunteer in 2010, and then full time 2011-2014. She served as a daycamp staffer, Daycamp Leader, and the occasional overnight counselor.
It was at Camp Kaleo that she received her calling of what to do with her life, which led her to GCSU, to get a Bachelor's Degree in Outdoor Education, a Camp Director Certification from the American Camp Association, and then to a ministry job in Savannah, where she met and married her husband, Armando, and had their daughter Isabella. They welcomed baby Titus in December of 2025.
In 2022, Hope was influential in creating the Friends of Kaleo support group that worked to provide camper scholarships, as well as fund special projects that may be outside of the budget. Friends of Kaleo became the group that took over operations of Camp Kaleo in 2025.
ARMANDO CASTILLO, PROPERTY MANAGER
Armando grew up in Savannah, and worked a variety of jobs that provided the experience he would one day need to work as the Property Manager. He managed a restaurant, learning food service and gaining vital certifications. He worked in general construction, hardscapes, pool construction, HVAC, and electrical and mechanical construction.
The Castillo family attended many work weekends over the last few years and have brought a group of campers to summer camp the last several years. It is amazing to see how God used so many aspects of their lives, even before they knew each other, to prepare them for this ministry.
They are excited to continue the ministry of Camp Kaleo because they believe Jesus changes lives at Camp. They have seen Him do it.
Jesus changes lives at camp kaleo
OUR mission, vision, purpose, & values
Our mission is for everyone to KNOW Jesus, GROW in Jesus, and SHOW Jesus to the world.
Our vision is to continually strive to build on the past, serve in the present, and prepare for the future.
Our purpose is to provide quality food, clean lodging, comfortable meeting space, and beautiful surroundings, and remove all distractions that we can control, and then a guest is more likely to hear what God is saying if He chooses to speak. Simply put: Removing distractions so that our guests can hear God if he chooses to speak.
Our values: Authenticity, Growth, Adventure
We believe that Jesus changes lives at Camp. Our summer program seeks to cultivate, grow, and spread Christ in the lives of our campers. We desire to see them not only come to know Jesus, but also to be called to share him in their neighborhoods, the US, and all around the world.
The Camp Kaleo Retreat Center is available for bookings throughout the year for church groups. We provide a great retreat setting for children, youth, college, and adults. The primary use of the Camp Kaleo Retreat Center is a summer camp, primarily June and July. Other groups, such as churches, youth, and families, are welcome to plan Summer Camp retreats at Kaleo during this time period. The Camp Kaleo Retreat Center staff looks forward to providing the action for your groups.