Salkehatchie back for 2025 with 32 weeklong camps

By Jessica Brodie

Salkehatchie Summer Service returns this year with 32 weeklong mission camps, offering 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.

June 7-14

Sumter

Winyah Bay (Georgetown)

North Augutsa

New Hope (Chesterfield)

June 14-21

Baker Creek (McCormick)

Penn Center

Union

Catawba (Fort Mill)

June 21-28

Sandriver (Aiken)

Bishopville

Piedmont

Marlboro-Flowers (Bennettsville)

JET (Johnston, Edgefield, Trenton)

Clover

Circuit Rider (Johnsonville)

Rock Hill

June 28-July 5

Lake City

Foothills

July 5-12

Bamberg

Edisto Island

Moncks Corner

Santee

July 12-19

Fairfield

Black Swamp (Hampton County)

Columbia Camp

Lake Murray

Emerald City

July 19-26

Calhoun County

North Strand

Dalzell

July 20-25

Newberry

July 20-26

Creekfront (Murrells Inlet)

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.