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2025 Camp Dates

The Place Where I Belong

Camp Rise Above is much more than a place-it truly creates a sense of belonging that far outreaches the time that our campers spend at camp.

Belong at Camp

Belong in Our Community

Belong Everywhere

What We Do

We offer many programs for our campers and families throughout the year including day camps at James Island County Park, overnight camps hosted at our partner location-Camp Cole, hospital camp programming across the state, and family fun days throughout the year.

Day Camps

Each summer we provide 2-day camp sessions for children with serious medical illnesses and life challenges ... Read More

Overnight Camps

Camp Rise Above offers overnight sessions every summer at Camp Cole in Eastover, SC. Each camp session allows... Read More

Family Fun Days

Throughout the year we host events that provide opportunities for families to gather throughout the year to support one another... Read More

Hospital Camps

Since 2011, we have been transforming playrooms and hallways into day camp environments at children’s... Read More

Barbara Van Thullenar Denton founded Camp Rise Above in 2008 during a weekly Bible study group. The group adopted her “impossible dream” of building and operating a Charleston area camp to serve the more than 58,000 children in SC with special medical needs. CRA has been operating ever since, offering high quality camp programs to hundreds of children each year.
Camp Rise Above is a strengths-based organization dedicated to providing a true camp experience to children with special medical needs and other life-threatening conditions. We offer many programs throughout the year to children around the state. Visit our “About Us” page to learn more!
Children with special medical needs and life-threatening situations rarely if ever get to be normal kids. Their conditions set them apart from others in ways that constantly remind them that they’re not like other children. With Camp Rise Above, these children enjoy a true camp experience with others just like them. With individual attention from trained camp counselors and on-site medical teams, they can enjoy being a normal kid at camp. We believe all children deserve to experience the magic of camp, regardless of their medical condition.
Barbara Van Thullenar Denton founded Camp Rise Above in 2008 during a weekly Bible study group. The group adopted her “impossible dream” of building and operating a Charleston area camp to serve the more than 58,000 children in SC with special medical needs. CRA has been operating ever since, offering high quality camp programs to hundreds of children each year.
Camp Rise Above is a strengths-based organization dedicated to providing a true camp experience to children with special medical needs and other life-threatening conditions. We offer many programs throughout the year to children around the state. Visit our “About Us” page to learn more!
Children with special medical needs and life-threatening situations rarely if ever get to be normal kids. Their conditions set them apart from others in ways that constantly remind them that they’re not like other children. With Camp Rise Above, these children enjoy a true camp experience with others just like them. With individual attention from trained camp counselors and on-site medical teams, they can enjoy being a normal kid at camp. We believe all children deserve to experience the magic of camp, regardless of their medical condition.

Populations Served​

Down Syndrome

Cerebral Palsy

Heart Disease

Kidney Disease

Transplant Recipients

Autism

Cystic Fibrosis

Sickle Cell Anemia

Asthma

Neurological Disorders

Craniofacial Difference

Brain Tumors and Their Siblings

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Epilepsy

Tourrette’s

What Our Families Say

Our Team

What Our Families Say

Parents Say
Parents Say
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He cannot stop talking about his experience at CRA, and we are so grateful that he found a place where he belongs.
Parents Say
Parents Say
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Thanks again to you and EVERYONE who made last week’s camp so amazing. I saw a confidence in Oliver on Friday afternoon that was completely new—he was so happy and proud of himself and his new friends.
Everly
Everly
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Thanks again to you and EVERYONE who made last week's camp so amazing. I saw a confidence in Oliver on Friday afternoon that was completely new—he was so happy and proud of himself and his new friends.
Campers Say
Campers Say
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I just wanted to say thank you. Actually, there's no way I can think of to thank you all enough for the experience you gave our precious girl. Camp is always a growing experience, but for these guys, it means so much more. It's beyond priceless.
Parents Say
Parents Say
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I just wanted to say thank you. Actually, there's no way I can think of to thank you all enough for the experience you gave our precious girl. Camp is always a growing experience, but for these guys, it means so much more. It's beyond priceless.
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