The South Carolina Baptist Convention’s White Oak Conference Center near Winnsboro will offer day and overnight equestrian camps starting early next year.
The retreat destination has allowed equestrian trail access to roughly 500 acres of its 835 total acreage in this new ministry focus and has added several barns to better accommodate the equestrian groups it hopes to attract with these new offerings.
“Equestrian ministry opportunities in South Carolina are numerous. The new additions and activities will allow us to connect with people we might not reach in any other way,” said Tim Hughes, director of White Oak.
A Horsemanship and Outdoor Adventures Day Camp will offer young horse enthusiasts ages 10 to 18 introductory lessons on horses, riding and horse care, and activity sessions including nature studies, crafts, and a Bible study. Day camps are slated for spring and fall sessions.
Also in the spring, White Oak will offer a three-day, two-night equestrian camp for beginner and intermediate riders that will expand on the day camp activities and include meals, lodging, and optional campout experience.
Afternoon trail rides for riders with their own horses or with horses provided by a local wrangler will begin in the fall of 2014. The experience will conclude with a chuck wagon-style meal around a campfire and a time of worship, singing, and fellowship.
The new equestrian activities are the latest in a project that was begun about three years ago when South Carolina Equestrian Ministry volunteers cut horse trails at the conference center’s property. In late 2012, volunteers from Carpenter’s Hands ministry, a group of North Carolina Baptist Convention Disaster Relief volunteers, began work on three of four planned barns near the trails. Hughes estimates that close to 100 volunteers have helped to build the barns, and work on the fourth barn is set to begin later this month.
Carpenter’s Hands Volunteer Director Mike Nelson said his group goes on two construction trips each year and chose to help WOCC after contacting the South Carolina Baptist Convention to offer their ministry services. “Helping White Oak build the barns was a mission construction project for us. The staff members were friendly and helpful. They see what they do as a ministry, not just working at a conference center,” Nelson said.
Hughes said the new programming is focused on engaging children and youth. The barns and trails are available for any equestrians to use on a rental basis. He also hopes the ministry grows into much more in the future.
“We are also open to connecting with cowboy churches and pursuing the potential of partnerships,” Hughes said.
For more information about equestrian activities at WOCC, go to www.whiteoakconference.info. Camp dates and registration information will be announced later this year.