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Updated: Nov. 19, 2025

Two campers and one counselor in life jackets rowing in red canoe

Camp Burnt Gin accepts campers ages 7 through 25 years of age from South Carolina who have a physical or developmental disability or chronic illness. Acceptance is determined on an individual basis. Many factors are considered including the child’s disability, medical and personal needs, and whether the child has other recreational opportunities.

If you are interested in having your child attend Camp Burnt Gin, view our application information page.

For more information about Camp Burnt Gin, call (803) 898-0784 and/or email campburntgin@dph.sc.gov.

Helpful Information

Camp Brochure

Eligibility

Who is Eligible?

Disability:

Camper must have a physical or developmental disability or chronic illness.

Age:

Campers must be 7-25 years of age to participate in our summer program.

Needs of Camper:
  • The camper’s medical needs can be met in a rustic camp setting and do not require 24-hour nursing services (emergencies and unexpected illnesses are the exceptions).
  • The camper’s supervision and personal care needs can be met in a setting that provides a ratio of three staff to eight campers.
  • The camper does not exhibit aggressive, self-abusive or problematic sexual behavior. 
What We Cannot Accommodate:
  • Significant behavioral issues: We cannot accommodate campers who exhibit aggressive, self-abusive or problematic sexual behavior.
  • Extensive medication administration: Nursing staff are not available for medication administration after 10 p.m. or before 7 a.m., except in emergencies. Camp nurses will not administer vitamins or herbal supplements.
  • Overnight g-tube feedings and feeding pumps: We cannot accommodate children who require overnight g-tube feedings. Children who receive g-tube feedings during the day will be considered on an individual basis as staffing allows (maximum of four bolus feedings per day, no feeding pumps).
  • Diabetes management: Our nursing capacity does not enable us to serve applicants with insulin dependent diabetes. There are camps in SC which specifically serve children and teens living with diabetes and are better suited to meet their needs. We strongly encourage applicants to explore these programs.
  • Tracheostomies, ventilators and oxygen: We are unable to meet the needs of children with tracheostomies, ventilators, and/or those receiving supplemental oxygen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Camp Burnt Gin is for children ages 7 to 15 years old, teenagers 16 to 20 years old, and young adults 21 to 25 years old who have a physical disability and/or chronic illness.

Camp Burnt Gin is a camp where campers spend the night. You bring your child to camp on the first day of their scheduled session and pick them up on the morning of the last day of the session.

Camper applications are available January 15. The application deadline is April 1. Applications received after the deadline will be considered if space is available.

Acceptance is determined on an individual basis. Many factors are considered in determining acceptance including the child’s disability, medical, and personal needs and whether or not the child is able to participate in another camping program. Parents are notified of their child’s acceptance in May.

There is no cost to the family for their child to attend Camp Burnt Gin. However, if you would like, you may make a tax-deductible donation to Camp Burnt Gin. Checks should be made payable to "Camp Burnt Gin" and mailed to:

S.C. Department of Public Health
Camp Burnt Gin 
P.O. Box 2046
West Columbia, SC 29171

Donations will be deposited into the Camp Burnt Gin account and used to support camp programs.

Some of the more common disabilities and chronic illnesses include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, seizures, chromosomal disorders, heart disease, sickle cell anemia, and hemophilia. The severity of the disabilities vary tremendously. There are children who require very little assistance from the counselors and there are children who need help with all aspects of daily living.

Two nurses are available at all times to give medicine, first aid and supervise the children's medical treatments. Sumter Pediatrics serves as our camp doctor and the local hospital is approximately 20 minutes away.

In each cabin of eight campers, there is a minimum of three counselors. The counselors are college students who have experience working with children and who are interested in working with children who have special needs.

The camp staff participate in a week-long training program where they learn about the health conditions of the campers and the special care the campers require. Other training topics include safety and emergency procedures, positive behavior management, camp activities, and operating procedures.

In each cabin of eight campers, there is a minimum of three counselors. Camp Burnt Gin cannot provide one-to-one supervision.

During these times, two counselors are on duty in the cabin and the other staff have free time. A minimum of three staff members sleep in the cabin with the campers. A staff member sleeps in front of each door exiting the cabin.

Almost all children, whether they have special needs or not, experience some homesickness. The camp staff is trained to help children adjust to being away from home. Usually, once the children get involved in the camp activities and start having fun, they do fine. However, if a child does not adjust to being away from home, the camp staff will contact the parents.

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