Camp St. Christopher, which spans 314 gorgeous acreages at the North Edisto River on Seabrook Island just south of Charleston, South Carolina, is the ideal place to spend a week at camp. We host close to 1,500 campers every summer, ranging in age from K-2 Buddy Campers who stay overnight with a parent or guardian to high school students who attend our weeklong Senior Session. Your child can choose their own path for enjoyment while spending the summer at St. Christopher’s and learn valuable lessons along the way. Combine morning and afternoon camps to make a complete day that includes lunch. The most important thing is that your child will have a unique experience that fosters character, community, health, and joy.
Barrier Island At Summer Camp St. Christopher’s
There are a variety of outdoor learning areas, classrooms, an arts and crafts building, a climate-controlled gym, a low-ropes course, a beachfront recreation hall, a lit outdoor recreation field, a health center, a full-service dining hall, and climate-controlled beachfront cabins among the facilities on Barrier Island. A mission of the St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center, situated on Seabrook Island, 25 miles south of Charleston, is the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program. Each year, more than 8,000 students participate in our carefully crafted program, which provides them with the opportunity to explore the scientific world with all of their senses in a welcoming and supportive setting designed to see, smell, touch, hear, and even taste lessons in biology, ecology, conservation, astronomy, botany, and much more. Students adore it, and frequently, it opens their eyes to a world they had never encountered or comprehended before. Sessions at Barrier Island last the entire academic year. Classes may stay for three days or five days. With more than 35 years of experience in the field of education, the program’s naturalist team has gained the respect and endorsement of educators all over the Southeast. Since 1981, public and private school students in kindergarten through 12th grade have had the chance to learn about and engage with nature in a memorable, engaging, and exciting way through the Barrier Islands Environmental Education Program.
What Courses Does Barrier Island’s Summer Camp In St. Christopher Offer?
To address the needs of your children, the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program offers over 25 different workshops and activities. One-hour, two-hour and nighttime activity choices are all included.
Hour-Long Classes
CSI Sea Turtle
Students will participate in a simulated “Sea Turtle Rescue” and discover what happens to sick or injured sea turtles. Injured turtles are taken to a Sea Turtle Hospital after being saved, where students use practical observational skills and techniques to diagnose the turtles and attempt to ascertain the cause of injury. The topic of conservation will be covered. Sea Turtle CSI incorporates some material from “Loggerhead Dig,” but it also makes for a great complement.
Ocean Effects
Through a range of practical exercises, students will gain knowledge about marine pollution, renewable and non-renewable resources, recycling, and ocean issues. Students will also talk about how marine life becomes endangered and how we can protect and conserve our fragile marine environment.
Seining
Offered only during the summer.
Students will gain knowledge of the fauna that inhabits our estuary. Fish physiology, adaptations, eating patterns, tidal motions, and population variations are among the topics covered. Students will have the chance to tour our Aquarium, name the components of the fish, and identify various fish species while sieving.
Entomology
Students will study insects and other arthropods in this course. This program examines diverse insects’ traits, life cycles, and adaptations while also examining their ecological niches. Our ponds are frequently a perfect habitat for insect larvae and other arthropods, so combine this session with Pondering life to witness insects at all life cycle stages.
Thoughts on Life
Students will gain knowledge of trophic levels, succession, and pond ecosystems. The biotic and abiotic elements relationship in an ecosystem will be covered in class. Students will scoop water from a freshwater pond using strainers during class and then identify the macroinvertebrates they find there. Learn about this special habitat by dipping your toes into a pond study!
Herpetology
As they learn about the traits of reptiles and amphibians, students will get the chance to touch turtles, snakes (all non-venomous), and alligators. The course will explore each animal’s adaptations, behavior, and life cycle with an emphasis on species that are native to South Carolina.
Found & Lost
Students will learn the fundamentals of orienteering in this course. Students will be able to independently finish one (or two, depending on time) orienteering courses that take them throughout our lovely property by using a compass and fundamental math abilities.
Dig by a Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Learn why each sea turtle is a marvel in our Loggerhead Dig class. The life cycle of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle and the function of the Turtle Patrol will be taught to the students. We will talk about the dangers to sea turtles’ existence and how we may contribute to their protection. To identify and move a mock turtle nest, the students will venture onto the sand.
Tails & Scales
Offered during the winter.
offered as Seining’s indoor variation. With additional games and examples, Scales and Tails cover the same content. The topics covered by the curriculum include schooling, habitats for feeding, fish physiology, fish adaptations, and more. While viewing the many species in our Aquarium, students will have the chance to put this information into practice.
Ornithology
As they accompany us on a bird walk equipped with binoculars and field guides, students will turn into ornithologists. Birds can be found everywhere across Barrier Island, whether they are in the forest or on the beach. Find out more about their environments, adaptations, behavioral habits, migration routes, flocking, and nesting. To understand even more about these amazing creatures, students will have the opportunity to examine the skulls, feet, and wings of birds. A delightful activity is bird calling.
Woodstock
As you stroll through a wide variety of plant life, discover what makes a maritime forest special. The students will gain knowledge about the growth and development of the forest, certain plant traits, and the interactions of abiotic and biotic variables as they are led along the trails. Learn to identify local species in a marine forest in South Carolina by becoming a botanist. Observe the successional traces in these pristine woodlands as an ecologist.
Hour-Long Classes
Let’s go sailing
The two-mile trip will take students through salt marshes, sand dunes, and beaches. Tides, beach zones, the development of barrier islands, plant and animal life, and the interactions between barrier island ecosystems are some of the subjects covered. Take a look at what you see when walking to the mud pit.
Need-A-Friend
Students cooperate to overcome difficulties as they practice collaboration, cooperation, and communication. Each challenge will be explained to your class, and they’ll discuss the value of leadership, encouraging words, and constructive criticism. As they take on new problems together, allow your pupils to develop their grit.
Seining
Fall and Spring seasons for this service.
Students will gain knowledge of the fauna that inhabits our estuary. Fish physiology, adaptations, eating patterns, tidal motions, and population variations are among the topics covered. Students will have the chance to tour our Aquarium, name the components of the fish, and identify various fish species while sieving. Choose a two-hour seining program if an hour of seining seems to go by too quickly. With additional time, students can study fish in-depth and even talk about sharks. Additionally, there will be additional chances for students to drag the nest through the waves.
Thinking about Life/Entomology
Students can completely comprehend the interaction between biotic and abiotic variables in this ecosystem by studying the pond ecosystem in depth. The macroinvertebrates in the pond will be identified by the students using a dichotomous key, and they will then utilize this information to draw conclusions about the water quality. Utilize a range of tools for deeper inspection; students will be able to relate the pond life they scoop from the water to the insect life they scoop from the air. The students will observe firsthand how many insects are adapted for various environments or ecological niches, including how certain insects have watery larval forms that later metamorphose into adult flying insects.
Wetlands plus Woods talks.
Students will gain knowledge of the elements that make up a wetland and take part in activities that emphasize the significant functions that wetlands serve in an ecosystem. Students experience a salt marsh and a freshwater slough to get a sense of how wetlands feel, look, and smell. The interrelationships between the wetland and maritime forest ecosystems will be emphasized in this lesson. The significance of natural wetlands and methods for protecting them will be understood by the students at the end of the class.
Claws plus a wood stalk.
Fall and Spring seasons for this service.
On a stroll through the woods to our Crab Dock, students gain knowledge about the characteristics of a maritime forest and the kinds of plants and animals that reside there. Students will search a baited crab trap for blue crabs, stone crabs, and more while admiring the tidal creek. Discuss commercial crabbing, species management, and the crab life cycle. Epifaunal communities and sessile organisms will be covered in class.
Evening Activities/Classes
Dance
As we dance the night away, perform the Barrier Island version of the Virginia Reel, the Cha Cha Slide, and the Electric Slide. These are basic dances that are simple to pick up. Enjoy a family-friendly dancing party.
Owls 101
Here on Barrier Island, owls can be heard at night. They are graceful and fascinating. Take a stroll at night with the goal of educating people about the distinctive qualities of the local owl species. Play games, sing songs, and study owl calls! With the assistance of our naturalists, students can also explore and dissect owl pellets. (There is an additional fee of $2 per student for this class.)
Only available during Standard Time, the Night Walk
Take a stroll around the woodland using only your “night eyes.” This workshop enables students to conquer their fear of the dark while focusing on sensory awareness. In addition, the students will discover how nocturnal animals thrive in the dark.
Campfire
Spend the evening around a fire, telling tales, solving puzzles, singing, and laughing. Astronomy may be incorporated into the fun on clear nights.
Ecological Hearing
In a mock town meeting, students will get the chance to hone their debating and public speaking abilities. The kids are given a fictitious scenario pertaining to the neighborhood. Student groups are given roles that they must defend while taking into account the role’s economic, social, and environmental implications.
As they work to come to an agreement, students will examine both sides of an argument and think critically about possible solutions.
Games
Ensure sound sleep for the pupils! Students will engage in a variety of group-based games that are enjoyable and energetic. Following a long day of learning, these icebreakers provide a chance for some physical movement and are often non-competitive.
Hockey Noodles
The students will play a fun game of noodle hockey in teams using pool noodles. During the lively, brisk exercise, students will rotate, trying to score goals for their team.
Nighttime Wildlife
Students will discover the traits of nocturnal bats, birds, and insects and investigate how they affect our ecology. Students will learn through a variety of games as they embark on a midnight “scavenger hunt” that those nighttime noises are actually signs of very vital critters, not terrifying ones.
Reasons To Select St. Christopher’s Summer Camp
Summer camp Saint Christopher has been serving the community for more than 80 years and still gives campers life-changing experiences. We offer a secure setting where campers can develop by making new friends, taking on exciting new challenges, and discovering Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Our intention is for campers to leave home, having gained a greater awareness of who they are as unique beings created by God for a specific function. In order to see campers’ lives shaped by the strength and reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our staff of well-trained, college-age Christian leaders works hard. Along with daily chapel and small-group Bible study, campers engage in activities throughout the day like hiking through our pristine maritime forest, sailing, and kayaking in the estuary, building teams, seining, rock climbing, games, and much more.
Outdoor-Encounter Activities At St. Christopher’s Summer Camp
Kayaking
The most well-liked paddle tour takes you along Privateer Creek’s calm, leisurely waters and concludes at a boathouse on the beach. Wildlife sightings such as herons, dolphins, and others are frequent. It takes roughly two hours to travel. We can take you on a multi-day experience of carrying gear on kayaks and living on deserted islands in the Charleston area if you’re interested in a long journey.
Team-Building
There are 15 low-rope obstacles on the team-building challenge course that are meant to challenge your group. Each challenge will be tailored to your group’s skill level, and one of our trained staff members will lead a brief conversation for your people to assess their communication, group dynamics, and general collaboration. For groups of seven to fifteen persons, our program works well. A second group should be added if yours is larger.
Camping
The secluded campsite sits at the end of a mile-long road that travels through the forest and is located on the edge of a salt marsh. The campsite features a dock access point as well as a rustic campfire area with flat places for tents. Be ready for a backcountry restroom (or we can set up a portable rental toilet for an additional charge).
Assisted Tours
Learn about the local flora and wildlife as their qualified naturalists lead you through the woodland, sand dunes, or salt marsh. Depending on your areas of interest, a number of locations are accessible for tours. Any program we offer through the Barrier Islands Environmental Education Program is an option, in addition to the maritime forest, wetlands, beach, and dunes.
Orienteering Completing one or more of our property’s orienteering courses will help you gain experience with a compass.
Mud Hole
The mud pit is a must for a lot of groups. It allows visitors an opportunity to get down and dirty and completely cover themselves in mud. The salt marsh trail and mud pit are reached after your guide has led you a mile along the beach.
Mounting a Wall
There is always access to the 25-foot-tall climbing wall, no matter the weather. Push your limits and stretch yourself while learning to trust others (temporarily closed due to COVID-19).
Camping At St. Christopher Summer Camp: Advice And Regulations
Early Registration
The camper applying, their parents, or their grandparents must be members (i.e., in regular weekly attendance) of either an Episcopal parish or school OR a church that is an affiliate of ACNA in order to register early (January 9–20). (Anglican Church inNorth America).
Registration
On February 1, 2023, general registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. We absolutely adhere to the first-come, first-served rule. Please be aware that sessions fill up rapidly, so plan to apply as soon as possible for the best chance of getting your top option.
An account must be made at the registration website in order to register. Use the same login information if you registered an account last season. Create an account if you are new to the camp. On the dates that registration opens, a link will appear here.
Grades
Apply for sessions based on the grade the child is now in, NOT the grade he or she will be in the following school year.
Only campers in grades K–2 who have a same-sex “buddy” are eligible for the Buddy Camp program. Friend camp offers kids and their “buddies” the chance to experience an overnight adventure and learn more about what camp is all about. A same-sex parent, grandparent, sibling (must be 18 years of age or older), or family friend is required to accompany campers. Every camper (even those from the same family) is required to bring a friend. More than one camper may not have an adult act as their friend throughout a session. Companion Camp session costs cover both the child and their buddy
All check-ins on the first day of the session are done at Susanna’s House. Early check-in is not permitted since it interferes with our ability to set up for the session. Before your session begins, check-in instructions will be sent to you via email.
Four-day sessions come to a finish in the early afternoon on the last day. On the final day, five- and six-day sessions end in the morning. On the last day, Buddy Camps end in the late afternoon.
We kindly encourage all applicants and their families to seriously think about making a donation to our scholarship fund. Scholarship Gift Options A $10 scholarship grant will be added to the account when a session is chosen during the online application process. During the registration procedure, there is an option to lower or raise the giving level.
Face Masks
Although St. Christopher has withdrawn the requirement for interior masks, campers must still carry their masks with them. Campers will be compelled to wear masks while in the chapel and roaming around the dining hall if a positive COVID case is discovered mid-session.
Campers are welcome for the entire camp session and are expected to stay the entire time. Full Session Attendance Please pick a session that won’t conflict with your child’s schedule, your family’s vacation, or any upcoming athletic activities. It would be unjust to the wait list participants, staff, and other campers to do anything otherwise.
Within the Same Family, Multiple Campers
Before beginning the online application, each prospective camper in a family must create an account. Please make a separate account for each family of grandchildren if you are a grandparent applying for grandchildren from different families.
Acceptance & Wait List
The camper has been accepted into the chosen session if the online registration is successful and the application money is paid. At the moment of registration, an automated email will be created and sent. NO OTHER STATEMENT emails pertaining to account balances will be sent. The final balance due date is April 30, 2023.
The camper who “applies” for the wait list will be informed of which session(s) he or she has been placed on the waitlist. There is no charge to join the waiting list. We contact campers on the wait list in the order of applications if a seat becomes available in an otherwise full session, and we demand an application fee payment to reserve a spot.
Payments & Fees
To register successfully, a non-refundable application fee (per camper) is necessary. All courses cost $100, with the exception of Buddy Camp programs, which cost $50. The processing cost for online registrations is $6. By April 30, 2023, all camp balances must be paid in full to avoid incurring a $25 per camper late fee.
Changes to your Application & Cancellation Policy
The application cost is not refunded. Application cancellations and modifications must always be made in writing. Any further payments (above the non-refundable application fee) that are canceled after April 30 will only be subject to a refund if St. Christopher is able to fill the position. In the event of well-documented medical emergencies or illnesses, exceptions may be allowed. The conclusion in one month of the camp term for which the kid was registered, written requests for refunds must be submitted. Only the parent or legal guardian listed on the application or account will receive a refund.
Scholarships
The James L. White Scholarship Fund offers a limited amount of financial aid. Typically, St. Christopher will cover up to one-third of the price for people with a valid need. The camper’s family is expected to cover the remaining third of the expense, with the home church contributing the other third. The first step is to pay the application fee and sign up for the preferred session. A completed scholarship application may be submitted following successful registration. On the St. Christopher website, the scholarship application can be found on the Summer Camp page under the “Accepted Camper” link. The deadline for scholarship applications is April 30. The scholarship application must be submitted within 14 days after the date of registration if you are registering for camp after April 30.
Request for a cabin mate can be made by signing into your online account and completing the “Cabin Mate Request” form located in the “Forms” section. This request is optional. We will only take requests that are reciprocated. There may be just ONE request. The request is void if more than ONE name is entered. Online modifications cannot be made after the form has been filled out and submitted. Only requests submitted before the due date of April 30 will be taken into consideration. Although there is no assurance, we will try our best to pair your child with the camper of your choice.
Homesickness
Some campers do experience homesickness occasionally, but our staff is trained to handle it. Only if we suspect that a camper’s homesickness is detracting from the general enjoyment of your camper and other campers will we get in touch with you. For the length of the program, campers are not permitted to make home calls. They might, however, send and receive mail every day.
Multiple Sessions
Before March 1, campers cannot sign up for more than one session of the program. Our goal is for as many kids as possible to have the chance to go to summer camp. Please get in touch with the summer camp office by March 1 if your camper is interested in attending a second session. A $30 administrative fee will be charged, and one registration will be deleted if a camper registers for more than one session before March 1.
What City Is Summer Camp Saint Christopher In?
The St. Christopher Summer Camp and Conference Center is the ideal location for a week of camp since it is situated on 314 gorgeous acres near the mouth of the North Edisto River on Seabrook Island, about 25 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. St. Christopher is blessed with a diversified natural environment that includes a maritime forest, salt marsh, ponds, and a mile of immaculate beachfront, in addition to camp amenities, including cottages, activity buildings, a chapel, and a dining hall. This serene environment, free from the stresses of daily life, offers time for listening, sharing, developing relationships, and having fun!
What goes on at camp on an average day?
Each activity group, which consists of the campers, is led by a member of our qualified staff. Each day, these groups spend time together participating in a variety of activities like sailing, kayaking, nature excursions, our team-building challenge course, canteen, swimming at the beach, chapel, and much more.
What happens if my child requires medical care while at camp?
We place the utmost value on the health and safety of both our campers and staff. Through our resident nurse, we focus a specific emphasis on medical treatment and attention. Throughout the entire session, our nurse is on hand to handle sicknesses and emergencies and administers any prescriptions. A nearby doctor, EMS, and hospital emergency rooms are all easily reachable in the unlikely event that extra treatment is needed. Please bring your child’s chosen meds for temporary illnesses to camp (in the original container) and make a note of this on the camper’s prescription and authorization papers prior to your arrival. The nurse will meet and speak with parents at registration. At check-in, every camper must stop by the nurse’s desk.
No one else my child knows who is attending camp does so. How will you ensure they blend in?
You should be aware that this is a pretty typical occurrence, so your child won’t be the only new camper at Saint Christopher’s. Our staff is qualified to assist your kid in developing connections with peers, the camp’s employees, and counselors. Your child will be embraced and cherished at Camp Saint Christopher, just as Jesus instructed. There will be times of comfort and a few possible stretching opportunities for your child, whether they are introverted or extroverted. We put a lot of effort into fostering an atmosphere of acceptance and support, which fosters the development of new friendships that frequently endure for a lifetime.
Do campers have the right to smoke?
No. Camp Saint Christopher has a rule that no campers, counselors, or staff members are allowed to smoke anywhere on the property at any time. This covers using any vaping equipment or supplies. Those who break the rules may be instructed to call you to come to pick them up from camp. The same rules apply while using or having access to alcohol, illegal substances, firearms, or e-cigarettes.
Is financial assistance offered?
Yes, we do offer need-based financial aid that can be verified. Normally, if financial aid is sought, we cover one-third of the expense, ask the camper’s home church to cover a third, and ask the camper’s family to pay the last third. Apply for camp first if you require financial aid; after you register, you can fill out the application. If financial help is not offered, we will fully reimburse your application cost.
Can my kid drive himself to camp?
Your child may drive to camp with your approval. Once campers arrive, they will be given instructions on where to store their vehicle and who to hand the keys to on staff. Keys can only be obtained back when the camp term is over. We advise you to set clear rules with your child on who may travel in the car with them or accompany them on the trip back from camp.
Where do campers stay the night?
The 19 oceanfront cabins at our campground will be assigned to campers. Each cabin has air conditioning, a shower, a restroom, and a place for campers to store their belongings close to their beds. Camping guests must provide a pillow, a sheet, a blanket, or a sleeping bag. Your camper will spend the night in the cabin, where they will also prepare for daytime activities, take a nap in the afternoon, and take part in small daily groups.
What attire is appropriate for my camper at camp?
The right apparel for outdoor activities on warm summer days and appropriate clothing for swimming should be packed by campers. All campers, staff members, and volunteers must dress modestly and tastefully. It is not permitted to wear clothing that could offend others or that promotes or advertises drinking or drug use. Bathing suits should be comfortable enough to wear while having active fun in the water (one-piece suits for girls). All clothing should be tagged with the camper’s name, as advised. A packing list will be sent with your final letter before your camper’s session, and a detailed list of casual clothing is accessible on the Accepted Campers website.
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