Summer Family Camp

What we offer your family at Heart Ridge Family Camp:

Daily optional excursions to local hikes, waterfalls, and swimming holes. We add a new one every year.
Daily Mass and Confession
A 3-acre lake with blow-up toys and floaties beside and on the lake for kids of all ages.
Personal time with your own family with discussions and activities.
Teens Only Activities and Game night.
Arts and Crafts
Air-conditioned open gym, with seemingly continuous knock-out and 4-square
A short zipline ride across our lake for the kids and teens.
Fun and entertaining evening programs for the whole family-look for a new one this year.
Daily activities with peer groups, including a short talk while parents have their own discussion.
Canoes, Kayaks, and Paddleboats.
Parent's Night Out!
An inground swimming pool in addition to lake swimming.
Free time built into the schedule every day.

And delicious, family-friendly, healthy food that you didn't have to cook!

Some Frequently Asked Questions

What are the lodging or sleeping arrangements?

Each family will have their own private clean and comfortable room(s) depending on the size of the family. Most parents' rooms have a queen or full size bed. Some of these will also have one or two twin beds. There are also available adjoining rooms, small houses, and bunk rooms. All families will have their own bathrooms. Sheets are provided in most lodging. Families must bring their own towels. Laundry facilities are available, but very limited.

Is there air conditioning?

Yes. South Carolina, even in our mountains, can be very hot in the summer. All indoor spaces are airconditioned, including our Gym!

What will we eat? And what about food allergies?

Food will be served buffet style of homemade family favorites. Effort will be made to use healthy, local food when reasonable. Common allergies like gluten, nuts, and dairy, as well as vegetarian, will have options for every meal. You can contact us for other dietary needs, and we will try to accommodate them. You are free to bring your own food to supplement if you have dietary restrictions. (We cannot accommodate a high protein/no carb diet )

What if I'm a single, widowed, or divorced parent?

You will be welcome here, and your family treated like all of the others.

Does everyone need to be Catholic?

No. We understand that everyone is on his or her own journey of Faith. The programs here are designed to help everyone discover his or her own path to God and to help families grow closer together regardless of faith differences. We will be leading this from the Catholic understanding of the human person and the salvation of souls through a relationship with Jesus Christ. All we ask is respect and an open mind to this proposal.

Will there be Mass?

As this is the source and summit of our faith, and the highest form of prayer, we definitely want families to receive these graces. We are usually able to provide Mass every day. Occasionally we may miss a day, but will replace it with adoration and a Holy Hour.

Can I bring my dog?

Although we'd all love to meet your pet, Heart Ridge lodgings are pet free. We envision a kennel in the future. . .but for now, no pets.

Do we have to participate in all of the scheduled activities?

No. . .BUT it will be worth your effort if you do. We purposely scheduled free time for your family to do their own exploring in the area, or just relax and hang out. The activities planned may not be your cup of tea, but chances are, some members of your family will thrive on these. And honestly, they are designed with every family in mind. The serious activities add a little substance to the camping experience without taking away any of the fun.

What time does it start on the first day?

You may arrive anywhere from 5:00-5:30. The first event will begin at 5:30 then we will have a cookout at 6:00.

A Sacred Heart Family

Since Heart Ridge is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we've decided that all of our family camps will promote this devotion and help families to live the characteristics of a "Sacred Heart Family." If you'd like to see a list of those attributes, go here.