Camp Cole

Our Mission

Camp Cole's mission is to provide a safe, accessible, and inspirational gathering place where people can come together to connect, share, encourage and shine. We aspire to be South Carolina's leading camp and retreat facility for children, teens, and adults with illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges. Located just outside Columbia, South Carolina, our camp and retreat center is a place where everyone belongs.

Our Impact

For families and individuals navigating an illness or disability, moments of normalcy, joy, and connection can be rare. Camp Cole creates space for those moments to happen. Since opening our doors in 2021, we have served more than 12,000 individuals at Camp Cole, with over 250 different diagnoses, disabilties, or other challenges. 

Camp Cole serves children, teens, and adults who are navigating serious illnesses, disabilities, and complex life challenges through transformative overnight summer camps, programs, and year-round experiences. We also offer rental opportunities to mission-friendly non-profits, businesses, schools, and churches. We partner with trusted organizations, our Camp Partners, and also operate Camp Cole Directed Programs such as Camp Imapct and Cole's Kids. From outdoor adventures to arts and crafts and waterfront activities, every experience is designed to build connection, confidence, and joy.

Our Story

Every story has a catalyst. Ours is Cole Sawyer. Cole lost his battle with cancer in 2004 at the age of 11. During his fight, he experienced the life-changing power of a special summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings. There, he formed friendships with others who truly understood his journey, bringing joy, comfort, and a sense of normalcy to Cole and his family. After Cole’s passing, his mother, Stacy, vowed to build a camp in his memory so more children with critical illnesses could experience that same joy. A few years into planning, Stacy unexpectedly passed away. With the support of a generous community, Cole’s sister Kelsey and her friend Margaret Deans carried her dream forward. Today, the spirits of Cole and Stacy shine brightly across Camp Cole, inspiring hope and joy for campers of all abilities.

Your Impact

Camp Cole exists because of the generosity of individuals, families, businesses, and foundations that understand the impact a camp experience can have on a child, teen, or adult living with an illness or disability or facing a different type of life challenge. Thanks to your support, every child receives a full or partial scholarship to attend Camp Cole. By making a donation, you’re giving campers the freedom to shine!

Thank you for helping them shine! Learn more at www.campcole.org!

A Glimpse Into Summer 2025