Before the birth of Vitambi Springs, there was the concept of TRIBE — an idea born from the visionary mind of Steve McCloud.
In 2005, an opportunity emerged when a camp property became available for sale in the Florida Keys. Steve envisioned TRIBE as more than just a campground; it was to be a men's resort offering themed camping experiences, blending the comforts of home with the camaraderie and adventure of camping. This idea — a precursor to what we now call glamping — was Steve's brainchild. The property's price skyrocketed with the rapid market changes of the time, which doomed the project, but the concept lived on, waiting for the right opportunity.
A significant influence on Steve's vision was a life-changing trip to Africa, where he embarked on a safari in the Serengeti. The adventure imprinted upon him the essence of the outdoors and the unique, albeit basic, comforts that only nature can provide.
In 2006, a fateful friendship blossomed between Steve and Martin Ruddock, both property managers with shared dreams. They explored ideas, including TRIBE, but the timing wasn't right. Steve and his partner Nick invited Martin to join them on vacation in Key West in October of 2007. Tragedy struck when Nick Bollman, Steve's partner of 24 years, passed away on that trip. The shared loss bonded Steve and Martin in profound ways, sparking a conversation about new beginnings.
As the Great Recession gripped the nation, both men found themselves at a crossroads, seeking alternatives to the corporate world. By the spring of 2009, the concept of creating something akin to TRIBE began to take shape. The search for suitable properties in South Florida commenced — campgrounds, RV parks and more. Even though the recession was raging, property prices were still inflated, and every prospect seemed to lack a vital component.
In the fall of 2009, after months of searching with no prospects and no secure employment, they decided to scale back their vision and simply find vacant land where they could build a campground from scratch. At this point, their motivation was driven purely by a desire for a better quality of life.
Then, in late 2009, while scouring the internet for vacant land, Steve stumbled upon an abandoned juvenile rehabilitation retreat about 90 miles west of Fort Lauderdale. Despite being listed as grazing land due to permitting restrictions, the images told a different story: a large main building with a commercial kitchen, a spacious dining area, offices, and multiple homes nestled among pristine camping areas. But there was a catch — the property sprawled across 269 acres, much larger than they had sought. Was it in the middle of a swamp? Too large? Too remote? The concerns loomed, but the truth was revealed the moment they set foot on the land.
Their first drive down the mile-long entrance road was transformative. As they ventured further, the anticipation grew with each passing tree, the thickening foliage and the allure of the seemingly endless driveway. The place was nothing short of breathtaking. Suppressing their excitement was futile; they were positively giddy. Hundreds of photos were snapped between them that day.
By this time, Steve had met Rick Brown, who had rekindled the old Steve with his infectious joy and unshakeable confidence. Rick would prove a valuable part of the camp's development. Steve and Rick's relationship blossomed, and they married in Washington, D.C. on November 11th, 2013.
With renewed vigor, they rushed home to envision how the property could align with the TRIBE model. Steve immersed himself in the project and soon outlined what would become Vitambi Springs — transforming sleep shacks into cabins and christening different areas of the park with names inspired by gods from diverse cultures, embodying his commitment to diversity and education. But they still needed a name; for several reasons, TRIBE no longer felt right. Turning once again to his experience in Africa, they searched various African languages and found the word Vitambi, a Swahili term loosely translated as "a group of proud people."
Finally, on December 3rd, 2010, the property was theirs. Over the next 12 months — backed by investors (friends, family and friends of friends) and the unwavering support of a remarkable group of advocates — they breathed life into Vitambi Springs.
On December 14th, 2011, they opened their doors to guests, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
