About Us
Swamp Camp is a year-round overnight camp facility hosting retreats, special events and, during the summer, week-long overnight Christian camps for children from 9-18 years of age. The camp is located in a rural setting in Penfield, Georgia just two hours east of Atlanta and 45 minutes south of Athens on 188 acres of wooded land and open fields, where campers enjoy a variety of activities such as basketball, soccer, Laser Tag, Ultimate Frisbee, swimming, fishing, 300' Slip N Slide, 12' pool slide, paddle boating, Low Ropes Course, ping-pong, arts and crafts, hayrides, and more. Unforgettable memories are made during cabin challenges, night activities, devotionals and Bible classes.
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Our Mission
A Little Slice of Heaven: Partnering with God to create
a safe, spiritual space for belonging and learning through play, connection, community, and wonder.
Play
Connection
Community
Wonder
How do we fulfill this mission and create the camp culture that so many refer to as "my-second-home?"
By Living Our Core Values:
YHWH
Always point towards God. We believe that God is powerful, faithful, compassionate, gracious, and abounding in love. As we witness God revealing himself through the Bible, nature, and relationships, we steer away from outward compliance and allow each person the space and time for wonder, curiosity, and wrestling for personal faith.
Differences
Accept and celebrate differences! We embrace different talents, interests and quirks whether athletic, scholarly, musical, or other, including domino expert, hula hoop champion, or avid book reader. Click here (coming soon) to see the amazing stories and illustrations of what this looks like.
Food
Provide good food. We create palatable (pun intended) memories around delicious food and yummy canteen / tuck-shop treats. We promote mealtimes as special gatherings of our community.
Fun
Have fun! We prioritize smiles, laughter, and playfulness as we offer activities that engage a wide age-range of participants considering their interests and needs when planning activities and events. We never have fun at the expense of others remembering that no one will want to come back if it is not fun.
Investment
Give to Camp. We partner together to give one hundred percent love, energy, attention, time, and money towards fulfilling camp’s mission. We always think, plan, and train with an eye to future generations.
Leadership
Lead strongly and humbly. We articulate clear rules, boundaries, and expectations to counselors, campers and volunteers, and enforce them consistently and fairly. We cultivate a safe spiritual space for everyone to learn to lead like Jesus.
Respect
Create a culture of value. We hold every image bearer of Christ in high esteem, no matter their age or their station in life. We prioritize a culture where everyone is important and belongs.
Roles
Define and clarify responsibilities at camp. We communicate expectations so each person will know whether they are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities. We foster accountability and encourage ownership of any given role.
Safety
Create a safe spiritual place. We want everyone (parents, volunteers, counselors, and campers) to feel mentally, physically, and emotionally safe encouraging spiritual engagement and connection. We deal with bullies of all kinds, enforce standards on language and behavior, and create a culture of agape love. We live out our motto: “The safest place on the planet, besides your home."
Spirituality
Have a spiritual camp not a religious camp. We recognize the difference between the two. We trust the Holy Spirit to work through play, connection, community, and wonder.
Our Staff
Erwin has been with the camp since 2003 and serves as the Facility Manager overseeing all physical assets with full responsibility for the maintenance, upkeep and improvements of the 188 acres. Prior to Swamp Camp he was a successful business owner in the construction and cable business. He is an amazing care-taker and believes that all his previous experiences have led and prepared him for this position, which he treats not as a job but as an extension of his vast knowledge and love for children.
Rachele grew up going to camp in northern Michigan and was excited to volunteer for Swamp Camp as a counselor the summer of 1993. She has volunteered in middle school and teen ministries, worked full time in adult ministries, volunteered at camp in the kitchen, and introduced her adult daughters to family camp when they were each five years old. She has been practicing child welfare law for the last 20 years and serves on the boards of local non-profits focused on caring and advocating for the most vulnerable in her community. She also has served on the church's board for the last 10 years having not yet been discovered by the music ministry. Rachele will partner with Steve in the oversight of summer camp operations and Swamp-hosted retreats as well as continue her law practice.
Steve’s first camp experience was as a counselor in 1993. That’s also how he first met Rachele (at counselor training)! They have been consistently involved with camp ever since, along with their daughters. Steve oversees the year-round operations of all property-based events and activities conducted at and related to the Camp location in Georgia. Steve has been a full-time minister and youth leader in Atlanta and Athens, and now also serves as an Elder in the Athens Church of Christ.
Our Board of Directors
I became a Christian in: 1995 as a college student at the University of Georgia.
I am passionate about Swamp Camp because: When I graduated college I heard about this project to build a camp for children. I had no idea what it was all about at the time, but I volunteered to help build it. I worked out at camp hauling lumber, breaking up concrete frames on the dining hall, digging trenches and roofing cabins. Little did I know that I was helping build something that would make a tremendous impact on my children’s lives 20 years later. My oldest daughter, Elliot, studied the bible and was baptized out at the Swamp and she says that the Swamp was one of the main reasons that she found Jesus.
My wife and I have been working in the kitchen for about 10 years. It is one of the highlights of our year. We feel so full when we leave. It truly is a little slice of heaven!
My family: Julie and I met in the campus ministry and were married in 1999. We have lived in Athens ever since.
I work for a living doing:
Owner Company Name Armond’s Plastics Location Athens, Georgia
Plastic injection manufacturing company. We produce and distribute plastic oral care products across the country.
Owner Velocity Technology Partners Location Athens, Georgia
As Founder and Co Owner of Velocity Technology Partners, Joe has helped take this company from an idea on paper and grown it into one of the most successful companies in the state of Georgia. Velocity has been recognized in several business articles and was ranked # 7 in the Terry College of Business Bulldog 100 for the 100 fastest growing companies owned by UGA alumni.
Vice President/ Co-Owner Company Name Athens Capital Partners Location Athens, Georgia
Athens Capital Partners' purpose is to fund, acquire or launch small businesses. ACP is committed to fueling high quality, successful entrepreneurial ventures. ACP currently owns 4 commercial real estate entities.
Joe Moon
2251 Bent Tree Lane
Watkinsville, GA 30677
Rick grew up living in Manila, Hong Kong and Jakarta before moving to South Bend, IN to study Computer Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. His first job took him to Chicago, IL as an IT Consultant and Software Engineer, developing GPS Navigations for automobiles that are now used on mobile devices. During this time, Rick grew in his knowledge and passion for God. This led him to accept a full-time position in the ministry with the Chicago Church of Christ alongside his wife Heather, whom he met in the church. Later, the Bernardo family, including daughter Gigi and son Jonathan, moved to Charlotte, NC to be closer to family.
Rick continued to serve God by volunteering with the Campus, Singles and Family ministries with the Charlotte Church of Christ, while also pursuing efforts to manufacture and ship pharmaceuticals to areas of Africa in need. In 2019, the Bernardo family received a dream opportunity to move to the beach and become a part of the Greater Wilmington Church where Rick currently serves as an Elder. With a vibrant teen ministry in Wilmington, Rick was introduced to Swamp Camp where he currently serves as a board member.
Rick Bernardo
8226 Lakeview Drive
Wilmington, NC 28412
Vanessa Byers lives in Nashville, TN, with her husband, John, and four kids. She is a graduate from The University of Georgia with her Bachelors of Science in Recreational Therapy. She attended Camp Woodmont for the first time at the age of 12 in 1993—the second year camp was held—and as a camper, she watched camp grow into what it is today. Camp is where she first fell in love with God. Her dad spent many months helping to build Swamp Camp. As UGA students, both Vanessa and John spent their summers counseling and lifeguarding. The gifts of camp has continued throughout her life as she has watched her own kids be impacted by their summers at The Swamp. Vanessa’s first time volunteering in the kitchen was the summer of 2023 and she is thrilled to get back. She has a dream for Camp to continue for generations to come as it provides a sacred place for kids to experience God and have fun.
Vanessa Byers
2026 Valleybrook Drive
Brentwood, TN 37027
Operations Committee
A Native of Fayetteville NC, Frank earned undergraduate degrees in both Economics and Business Management from NC State University in 1994.
A few years later, Frank became a Christian in December 1997 and married his lovely wife, Angela in 2000 while they were a part of Triangle Church.
They moved to Fayetteville in 2003 and joined the fellowship of the recent Fayetteville Church planting the Triangle Church had help to come to fruition. They have been in Fayetteville ever since, raising their three (3) kids, Evan (17), and twin girls, Julianna & Isabella (15). Frank's manages his own real estate investment firm while also overseeing the finances for their local congregation as well as volunteering as a high school varsity basketball and track and field coach. His wife, Angela has served as a medical volunteer for camp when her schedule allows, and all three kids love camp and the relationships they've built are life-long for them all!
Frank Bailey
3326 Lake Bend Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28311 910-670-2149
Galileu Carvalho was born in Recife, Brazil. In the early 90’s moved to Atlanta, GA to attend Georgia State University where he obtained a BBA in Management and later a master’s degree in Accounting. Galileu and his wife Michelle Carvalho have been married for over 22 years. In the late 90’s, they moved to Brazil and worked as missionaries in different states for several years before returning to the US in 2004. They are part of the Atlanta Church of Christ in Gwinnett, Georgia and have served in the Youth & Family Ministry for more than 10 years. They have one son, Galileu II (14). According to him, his favorite place on earth is Swamp Camp. Since 2011, we as family enjoy spending time at Swamp Camp, creating special memories while attending the various retreats that are offered throughout the year, and supporting this vital ministry. Galileu works as a Financial Planning & Analysis Manager for Emory Healthcare System.
Galileu Carvalho
4179 Palm Drive
Snellville, Georgia 30039
Dan Lile became a Christian in 1980. He has served as a Youth Director and as a youth volunteer for over 25 years. Dan is married with three boys, all who have been eternally impacted by Swamp Camp. His favorite week of the year is when he and his wife gets to work in the kitchen! Dan is an Elder in the Charleston Church of Christ and works as a Regional Software Sales Manager.
Dan Lile
121 King Charles Circle
Summerville, SC 29485
Bio forthcoming.
Crystal, a native of Georgia, attended Emory University and The University of Georgia School of Law. She practiced administrative law for several years before joining the HOPE for Children, Inc. staff in 1996. She then began a life-long love of service to children around the world. She began aiding development of HOPE's international adoption arm becoming Program Director, International Programs Director, and finally serving as Interim Executive Director before her retirement to private practice and motherhood. Crystal has also served the State of Georgia in the child support recovery program under the Special State Attorney General's office. In addition, she has maintained her own private practice specializing in private international and domestic adoption. She is wife of Kevin Payne and together they have 3 children, Chandler, Carter and Ashley, all three who love and treasure their experiences at camp.
Crystal Payne
177 Rocky Creek Trail
Woodstock, GA 30188
404-786-8542
Taylor earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from the University of Georgia. He spent three of his four college summers serving as a full-time counselor at Swamp Camp, quickly developing a passion for the camp. Taylor works for AT&T on their Corporate Strategy team, evaluating strategic projects that set the direction for AT&T’s Mobility & Entertainment business. Taylor is honored to serve with a group of men and women focused on increasing Swamp Camp's impact around the world. His family includes his wife Marilisa, his two-year old daughter Naomi and a second daughter due in August.
Taylor Schachinger
395 Edwards Dr NE
Marietta, GA 30060
Bio forthcoming.
Angelica first experienced Swamp Camp Services (SCS) as a counselor in Swamp Camp in the summer of 1998. Her husband was a camper and counselor and her 3 children (18,17 and 12) have been attending camp since they were little. After a Swamp Corps trip with her oldest daughter in 2019, her love for Swamp Camp Services (SCS) only deepened from seeing God through Swamp Camps around the world. Her entire family has now been to two Swamp Corps trips: Honduras and Taiwan and hope to join in more future trips. Her family loves Swamp Camp Services and the inspiration and encouragement that it provides her family (individually and together) to living the Spirit-filled life as a disciple of Jesus.
In 2020, Angelica began serving on the SCS Advisory Board and stepped in as Chair of the Communications Committee in 2021. In her current role, she builds internal and external communication strategies that will allow messaging to be consistent and impactful for staff, the Camp community, and its stakeholders. It’s her goal to spread awareness of and support for Swamp Camp’s mission, inspire service, and ensure that camp will continue for generations to come.
Angelica graduated from Emory University with a Master’s in Public Health focused on Behavioral Science and Health Education. Prior to joining SCS, she worked a little over a decade at the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc – a nonprofit in Atlanta aimed at serving the Asian immigrant and refugee community in Georgia. As Director of Resource Development and Human Services, she was a grant writer and established various culturally and linguistically competent community programs throughout metro-Atlanta. She also spearheaded the creation of the Georgia Asian American Pacific Islander Community Coalition (GAAPIC), a coalition of various communities and organizations in Georgia before she left the nonprofit sector to focus solely on family.
Angelica Yim
1470 Land O'Lakes Drive
Roswell, GA 30075
Swamp Camp Q &A Fact Sheet
At Swamp Camp, we have a long-standing commitment to our families and friends to be “the safest place on the planet.” A lot goes into living up to that standard, so as a part of this commitment we want to ensure each of you understand as much as possible about the camp and its management. With this in mind, we have put together this Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) document as an easy to reference guide to some of the not-so-obvious-and-curious topics. May it increase your knowledge and comfort to our commitment to indeed make Swamp Camp “the safest place on the planet, besides your home.”
Our History
FIRST WEEK
Our first week of summer camp at Camp Woodmont saw 64 campers from around the southeast get to taste what would become the Swamp camp culture.
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
After searching for almost two years, the right property was found in Penfield, Georgia and construction began. It rained so much materials had to be hand carried to the site because the trucks couldn't make it. To see a complete set of construction pictures click here.
© 2024 Swamp Camp Services, 1400 Maxeys Road, Union Point, GA 30669. 706.352.4451