Camp Helen State Park: Movies & More

What a fun way to spend a Summer evening! The fourth annual Movies & More series at Camp Helen State Park begins on Wednesday, June 14. The summer fun series will continue on Wednesdays, June 14, 28, July 12 and 26.  Make plans to come out to the Park for movies, food & fun!

The evenings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the park’s Recreation Hall with a brief interpretive program led by a Camp Helen Park Ranger or other expert.  The program will be followed by an old-fashioned campfire cookout of hot dogs and s’mores provided by the Friends of Camp Helen.  Each evening will conclude with a family-oriented movie in the Recreation Hall, where seating will be provided.  

A parent or guardian must accompany all children.

These special movie nights are sponsored by Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Friends of Camp Helen State Park.  Admission into the park for this event is free, although donations are accepted.  Donations will go directly to the Friends of Camp Helen State Park to benefit the park's resource management projects and interpretive programs.

Wednesday, June 14: Nim’s Island
A young girl lives on an isolated island with her marine biologist father and spend her days with her wild life friends. When her father goes missing at sea, Nim communicates with a reclusive author of her favorite fictional character to help her save her island. (Rated PG) Gulf World will present the interpretive program on the American Alligator.

Wednesday, June 28: The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer
The amazing story of Daniel, a dolphin who abandons the safety of his pod to explore the ocean and discover the true purpose of his life. (Rated PG) Gulf World will present the interpretive program on the Savannah Monitor.

Wednesday, July 12: Firehouse Dog
Rexxx, Hollywood’s top canine star gets lost and is adopted into a shabby firehouse.  He teams up with a young kid to get the station back on its feet. (Rated PG) Point Washington State Forest will present the interpretive program on prescribed fires and safety.

Wednesday, July 26: Antz 
A rather neurotic ant tries to break from his totalitarian society while trying to win the affection of the princess he loves. (Rated PG) The interpretive program, facilitated by a Camp Helen Park Ranger, will be on ants. 

Camp Helen State Park is bordered on three sides by the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida. Coastal dune lakes are extremely rare worldwide; in the United States they occur only along the Gulf Coast. Prehistoric middens and mounds indicate that humans lived in the area more than 4,000 years ago. From 1945 until 1987, Camp Helen was a company resort for employees of an Alabama textile mill and some of the buildings are now being restored. Natural areas range from coastal dunes and salt marshes along the Gulf to freshwater wetlands and sand pine scrub along the lake. Activities include swimming, beachcombing, nature study, hiking, and both freshwater and saltwater fishing. 

Camp Helen State Park is located at 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, just west of the Phillips Inlet Bridge on the Bay County and Walton County line. 

Follow Friends of Camp Helen State Park on Facebook for park updates and events.

Read more about Camp Helen State Park and see photo gallery at SoWal Parks | Camp Helen State Park.

Florida State Parks await your discovery! Read about parks located in and around South Walton in our feature story.