Registration continues for 32 Salkehatchie summer service camps

By Jessica Brodie

Registration continues this month for Salkehatchie Summer Service, which this year features 32 weeklong mission camps.

The camps offer youth and adults the opportunity to engage in meaningful home-repair ministry across South Carolina.

Founded in 1978 by the Rev. John Culp, Salkehatchie brings youth, young adult and adult volunteers together to repair and rebuild homes for people in need, many of them living in poverty situations without the ability to fund the work on their own.

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old, and all adult volunteers must do a background check. Cost is $250 per volunteer and covers the cost of shingles, building supplies and other materials. Lodging and meals are included.

Registration is open now for the camps, which go directly into communities of chronic poverty and repair the homes of local families there.

Salkehatchie’s main focus is serving God. Over the years, hundreds of homes received new roofs, ramps, flooring, ceilings, bathrooms, kitchens and improvements in accessibility through the hands of youth at Salkehatchie.

Although it began as a South Carolina United Methodist venture, volunteers today are from many denominations and some come from out of state. Salkehatchie’s doors are open to all.

While much of the experience involves home repair, volunteers say Salkehatchie is so much more than this. Days of hard, sweaty work in the South Carolina summer sun are followed by nights of fellowship, reflection, music, worship, team-building and fun.

To register, go to https://www.salkehatchie.org.