Gravatt Camp & Conference Center

Camp Gravatt is a faith-based, co-ed, overnight camp located in Aiken County, South Carolina. Platform tents and screened cabins that make up the campers’ living area are nestled among 270 acres of beautiful pine trees, hardwoods, lakes, and ponds. Camp Gravatt is an affirming Christian community where campers of all backgrounds and ages make friends, learn responsibility, become leaders, and grow in their understanding of themselves, their community, and their God-given gifts.

Activities include 

• Archery
• Arts & Crafts
• Campfire
• Canoeing
• Challenge Course
• Environmental Education   
• Faith Formation
• Fishing
• Gardening
• Hatchet Throwing (6th grade and up)
• Hiking    
• Music    
• Recreational Sports 
• Themed Evening Events    
• Worship 
• Much more

Elementary/Junior High/All Ages

Rising 1st - 10th graders are grouped by similar ages and participate in traditional summer camp activities.

Leaders - In - Training Program

Rising 10th & 11th graders live together in a cabin and participate in traditional camp activities and in special leadership training and team building. As skills and confidence increase, LIT's assist with leading some aspects of camp programs. This program is a stepping stone for becoming a member of Camp Gravatt's staff but does not guarantee selection for staff in future summers. The program spans two sessions and the LIT's will spend the two nights between session participating in additional activities and programming at Gravatt.  

Family Camp

Open to all ages from infant to senior citizen, Family Camp provides an opportunity for campers to experience a sample of camp life with a parent or trusted adult by their side. Click here for more information.

Gravatt's facilities are able to meet the needs of 10-100+ and have indoor and outdoor space available for meetings, lodging, worship, recreation, relaxation, and dining.

We have a long history of outstanding food service – and lots of folks who would love to tell you about their favorite Gravatt menu items. As a member of South Carolina Fresh on the Menu, we strive to serve food that is fresh and local when in season. Every effort is made to cater to the needs of all our guests, including those with dietary restrictions. Come hungry!

Leisure activities abound, and can include hiking, trail walking, jogging, canoeing, swimming, campfire round-ups, bird watching, fishing, archery, field games, and – of course – relaxing. Many groups complement their retreat experience with a day on Gravatt’s low and high ropes course. 

The challenge course is designed to

• develop leadership skills
• increase self-esteem and confidence
• build teamwork, trust, and communication skills
• foster greater creativity and productivity in the work environment
• reduce stress and enhance awareness of healthful lifestyles

The challenge course offers three types of experiences:

• Field games and initiatives
• One low ropes course featuring 24 elements where the individual is challenged while the group works together to achieve their goals
• One high courses with 6 elements
• A climbing tower with zipline 

The Gravatt Environmental Education Program (GEEP) exists to increase awareness, knowledge and appreciation of South Carolina natural resources.

With over 270 beautiful acres, including 177 acres of woodlands, two lakes and several ponds, and Camp Gravatt Farms, Gravatt offers an abundance of environmental education opportunities.

GEEP features a carefully guided nature hike along our Sparkleberry Trail winding through a beautiful longleaf pine forest and culminating with Atlantic white cedar bogs surrounding the beautiful Lake Henry.

Programs are available for all grade levels and can be tailored to meet a variety of curriculum goals. All activities are led by skilled, enthusiastic and professional members of our staff.

Guided Nature Hike
Take a scenic hike around our Sparkleberry Trail, named for the striking Sparkleberry holly that lines the beginning of the trail.  Venture through a longleaf pine forest and Atlantic white cedar bogs, and witness all the beauty and diversity of these two very different ecosystems. Participants will observe plants, trees, and animals found in each ecosystem, while also learning environmental awareness, ethics, and individual responsibilities. Activities can be tailored to include a nature scavenger hunt, plaster casting of animal tracks, or creating a nature journal, while also providing ample opportunities for nature photographers.

During warmer months, participants will witness unique swarms of writing spiders that build towering and elaborate webs for catching their prey. Numerous bird species, in addition to migratory species, include the pileated woodpecker, red-tail hawk, wild turkey, ducks, and geese, heavily populate our lakes and woodlands. Other animals include white tail deer, coyotes, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, bats, snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, and fish. Trees, including persimmon trees that produce edible fruit during late October and early November, as well as longleaf pines, oaks, and maples among others, provide the back drop of our plush woodlands year round.

Agriculture
Participants may choose to spend time in Gravatt's garden. Depending on the time of year, it is possible to learn about agriculture through planting, harvesting, soil preparation, food preparation, composting, and care of Gravatt's chickens, goats, or bees.

Canoeing
Learn basic canoe and water safety skills. Then test yourself as you paddle around Lake Henry exploring our diverse wildlife and fauna.

Gravatt hosts several events each year for people who need some time under the pines.

Camp Adventures in Reading (AIR) at Gravatt is a residential summer camp program designed to meet children’s educational, social, and emotional needs through intensive reading instruction, games and activities, nutritious meals, structured free time, making friends in a positive and healthy environment, and developing trusting relationships with teachers and mentors. 

Reach Out Camp (ROC) is a special summer camp session offered free of charge to children in 1st – 8th grade with one or more parent incarcerated. This wonderful program began in 2009 with 10 campers and has grown every year to serve even more children in our community. 

During this session, meals are donated, prepared and served by generous members of our greater Gravatt community. Currently, we are seeking families, churches, and organizations to donate their time and hands in our kitchen during this session. This is a great opportunity for not only to serve, but also to come together as a community. 

Gravatt’s Christmas Retreat for Military Families offers service men and women the chance to relax, reconnect, and enjoy holiday traditions with their families.

Families from the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and National Guard who are unable to go home for the holidays will enjoy delicious, homemade meals, making gingerbread houses, the high and low ropes course, canoeing, fishing, evening activities, a visit from Santa, and more.

Meals are donated, prepared and served by generous members of our greater Gravatt community. Currently, we are seeking families, churches, and organizations to donate their time and hands in our kitchen during this session. This is a great opportunity for not only to serve, but also to come together as a community. Meals start with dinner on Friday and end with dinner on Sunday. 

Gravatt offers a unique internship program to young adults.  In this program, you are able to live and work at Gravatt for an extended amount of time. Through this program, Gravatt gets hard workers, and interns are able to explore career options, gather themselves, and figure out the next transition in their lives.  Interns work closely with permanent staff and are able to experience the fields of marketing, farming, hospitality, maintenance, and operations.  Many interns have found direction during their time at Gravatt and are now excelling in their chosen fields.