Camp Anderson Anchored
By Jeweliana Curtis
Nestled in the small community of Old Town, Camp Anderson Anchored is a lively campus that is teeming with natural beauty and history. The campus boasts Joe Anderson of immaculately kept Camp Founder grounds and scenic views of the Suwannee River, but it’s the purpose behind the property that really makes an impact on those who visit. The camp was founded by Joe H. Anderson, Jr., in the mid-2000s when he purchased the property: a 52-acre KOA campground on the banks of the Suwannee River in Old Town. Prior to purchasing the property, Joe H. Anderson, Jr., affectionately known as Mr. Joe, made a career for himself in construction. Born and raised in Old Town, Mr. Joe began working at the young age of 18. His passion, drive and commitment to excellence in business led him to start a company and grow it to a nationally recognized construction conglomerate with over 1,500 employees. In 2012, Mr. Joe was recognized by his peers and inducted to the Florida Transportation Builders (FTBA) Hall of Fame for his tireless efforts for the transportation industry; working with friends, business associates and governmental officials to ensure quality infrastructure and highways. 42 |
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Aside from his many career accolades, Mr. Joe was also known for his heart for helping others and his love for spreading the gospel. He and his family were charitable givers, always searching for a way to help those who found themselves in tough situations. Mr. Joe was passionate about sharing the love of Jesus, so much so that he purchased a large tent with a stage, chairs and a sound system and began to host tent revivals all over Florida, Georgia and Alabama. He also placed a high importance on the Ten Commandments, and made it his mission to place Ten Commandments monuments throughout Florida. These monuments can still be seen today in areas like Cross City where the first of these monuments were placed. When the opportunity arose to purchase the land that is now Camp Anderson Anchored, Mr. Joe and the rest of the Anderson family immediately dreamed up a great vision for the site. It was going to be a gathering place that uplifted people in faith and provided hope for the hurting. The campground was transformed into a site that could support church and other group gatherings, but, soon after, Mr. Joe knew that there was something much bigger on the horizon. He dreamed of a space that would be perfect for a youth summer camp, and envisioned a campus bustling with life! His vision included a facility with a camp-like setting, complete with sleeping accommodations, a commercial kitchen, an open pavilion, swimming pools,
volleyball and basketball courts, and so much more. With funding from the Anderson Family Foundation, Mr. Joe’s dream for the campus came to life. The Old Town campus was soon hosting youth summer camps with over 400 campers in attendance each week. During the off season, adults and church groups rented out the facilities for special events and retreats. Additionally, the campus has been used in times of disasters, providing shelter for hurricane victims and sleeping quarters for power company personnel as they worked to restore power in surrounding areas. Mr. Joe passed away in November of 2016, but his legacy lives on and continues to impact youths and adults today. The Anderson family, as well as many friends and supporters of the camp, thank him for his faithfulness to Christ, as they are committed to carrying out his vision at Camp Anderson. In 2021, the camp underwent new management, appointing Skipper and Crystal Hair as Camp Directors. Skipper and Crystal Hair have been dedicated to Crystal Hair ministry for decades, Camp Director playing a large role in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in the North Florida region. Skipper was the area director of FCA Outdoors North Florida,
