These articles may be useful:
http://camelliaexpress.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/relocating-camellias-sucessfully-by-gene-phillips/

http://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/page.cfm?page_ref=how_to_care_for_shrubs

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/transplant-camellia-japonica-bush-37885.html

http://www.aces.edu/counties/StClair/documents/NRCamelliaMoveGlover09.pdf

http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/a-half-century-of-camellias-find-a-new-home/

I've never had to move an established camellia, so can't offer any first-hand advice, but I hope this helps.

Good luck!

Thank you for the info. I found the first link and the last one to be the most helpful. I will try to take a 5 ft rootball w/ it. I agree w/ the newer research that indicates it is better not to add amendments, but I will likely add mulch to the bottom of the hole because the sand here lets the water pass right through. Anyway, it will be an adventure... I also have a lilac bush to move, and it is about the same size. I hope they both make it. Thanks again.

Your plants must be happy where they are, or they wouldn't be out-growing their location. If you're moving them to a similar location, I don't see why they shouldn't be happy there as well.

I know next to nothing about lilacs, but camellias- at least established camellias- are pretty tough.

Thank you, I hope it will survive the move. I haven't picked out an exact spot but it will be about 20 ft from the current location, and will be in the edge of the woods.

I've moved 3 camellias last year with success & not necessarily following the "rules".

The largest one was actually a rescue meaning it was dug out in late March while in bud, covered with a damp sheet, then whacked back to nubs. It was offered on freecycle near my work & since my favorite color bright rose pink I was willing to try. I planted it in good soil in part sun & it regrew feeder roots putting on new growth by late June.

The other 2 were 30 year old camellias that had been repeatedly hard pruned by former tenants. They were planted too close to the house & blocked a window. One resprouted from the ground. The other from an 18" trunk. Both are growing at the edge of the yard bordering native woods. The original owner was pleased I moved them further from the house & apologized for planting so closely.

I mulched all of them & provided water during our summer drought. They're tough plants.

Thank you, Corinne, that is encouraging. I did not want to disbud it so I decided to wait til Nov or Dec when it will be colder here. It is blooming now- creamy blossoms w/ yellow centers.

Creamy blossoms with yellow centers sounds lovely. Is it a sasanqua, or an early japonica?

I wanted to follow up on this thread and thank all of you who gave me info. The move appears to have been successful- leaves are still green, no wilting. Hurray!
As for which type it is, unfortunately I don't remember the name of this one. (My favorite is in back by the deck and it is a Bob Hope- zillions of buds in late fall.) My Yuletides have gotten larger and have large deep red buds on them :)
thanks again!