The Florida Camps

Casa Carrion/The Ferre Home – 175 SE 15^th Road – ½ block from Biscayne

·        12/26/60 first children arrived and went to St. Joseph’s

·        On 12/29/60 zoning clearances received first boys move in.

·        First used to house teenage boys. 

Camp Matecumbe – 13700 SW 120th St.

·        Opened in July 1961 closed 1964

·        Housed teenage boys only

·        After Kendall/Florida City closed housed all boys

The Cuban Home for Boys  – SW 15th Road

·        Operated until September 1961

·        Jesuits Took over and Became known as Jesuits Boys Home or White Hall

·        More permanent. If assigned stayed until parents arrived.

St. Raphael Hall – 325 NE 21st Street

·        Monsignor Walsh resided here

·        Considered the Ritz of the Camps

·        Close to Downtown 80 boys lived there

Kendall Children’s Home- 76th St. SW and 107th Ave.

·        Opened early 1961 Housed all kids until it became too crowded

·        Housed boys under 12 and girls after Matecumbe opened in July 1961

·        Housed All boys when Florida City Opened in Oct 1961

·        Closed in January 1963 and remaining kids move to Opa-locka

Florida City – 35 miles South of Miami

·        Opened October 1961

·        Housed all girls and boys under twelve – moved from Kendall

·        Compound of two story apartments fenced in residential area.

Opa-locka – Former Marine and Naval Air Station

·        Opened after flights ceased 23 October 1962

·        Barracks could accommodate 500

·        St. Raphael closed and boys moved here. Monsignor Walsh moved with the boys

·        Closed June 1966 – 25 boys left in program moved to Boys Home

Boys Home 1966 to 1981(former Sweet Dreams Motel) 83 SE 8th St. 1966

·        Bimini Motel in 1970

·        Remaining boys from Opa-locka 25

·        Arrivals via Spain, Guantanamo or boats