Since 1978, Salkehatchie Summer Service has been changing hearts and lives by offering youth and adults an opportunity to draw closer to Christ through service. Teams go directly into communities of chronic poverty and repair the homes of local families there. By immersing them in an intense physical, emotional, and spiritual experience, Salkehatchie aims to make disciples of Christ. After a week of service, many of the volunteers say, “My life changed forever.” Salkehatchie’s founder, the Rev. John Wesley Culp Sr., says those who offered sweat, blood, and tears in grueling heat, some for one summer and some returning summer after summer for decades - today are bringing their own children and even grandchildren. Today, these volunteers are teachers, doctors, lawyers, business people, ministers, military personnel, parents, and community members engaged in all walks of life. Their work is a collective witness of the power of Christ’s redeeming and merciful love at work in our lives.
Preparing for 2023:
The skill saws and nail guns may be idle for now, but the planning for the 2023 Salkehatchie Summer Service camps is well under way. This summer, 38 weeklong camps are re-opening across the state. With the COVID-19 virus under control, the Salkehatchie Board of Managers has lifted the vaccination requirement. “We still encourage and recommend vaccinating against COVID-19 and its variants, but it is not required for participation at a 2023 Salkehatchie camp,” said Kathy Hart, board of managers chair. Salkehatchie Summer Service is an in-state mission opportunity for youth aged 14 and older and adults. Teams repair homes of families needing help.
No previous experience is needed. “We are so fortunate to have our wonderful churches provide delicious meals for the campers, which helps stretch the weekly camp fee of $250 per person,” Hart said. “With inflation hitting the building supply market in a major way, we use most of the campers’ fees to pay for lumber, shingles, flooring, etc.
Camps will still need monetary contributions to make ends meet.” They are releasing the list of camp dates now to help families, churches and youth directors plan their 2023 summer activities and mission opportunities. For more information, visit http://salkehatchie.org or contact the Salkehatchie office at 803-691-6606 or salkehatchie@umcsc.org
Dates for 2023 Salkehatchie camps:
JUNE 10-17 2 Rivers (Eastover Area) Baker Creek (McCormick) Chester JET (Johnston, Edgefield, Trenton) Penn Center Piedmont Rivertown (Conway) Sumter Sandriver (Aiken) Winyah Bay (Georgetown)
JUNE 11-16 Creekfront (Murrells Inlet) Lancaster JUNE 17-24 Catawba (Fort Mill) Jenkinsville Laurens County Summerville Union
JUNE 24-JULY 1 Bishopville Marlboro-Flowers Rock Hill JULY 1-8 Lake City Foothills
JULY 8-15 Bamberg Black Swamp Calhoun County Circuit Rider Edisto Island Fairfield Harvest Moncks Corner Santee
JULY 15-22 Columbia Camp Emerald City Lake Murray North Augusta
JULY 16-21 Newberry JULY 22-29 Clover North Strand
