Camp Hagood at Hagood Mill Historic Site

An Immersive Summer Camp Experience in History, Nature & Culture

Camp Hagood is a unique and engaging summer camp experience designed for children to explore history, nature, and traditional crafts in a hands-on and exciting way for . Held at the historic Hagood Mill Historic Site, campers will step back in time and learn about the skills, traditions, and cultures that shaped the Upstate.

Through interactive activities, storytelling, outdoor adventures, and craft demonstrations, campers will gain a deeper appreciation for the past while making lifelong memories.

👦👧 For Students Rising into 3rd - 9th Grade
📅 Camp Dates: June 9-11, 2026
💰 Camp Fee: $175

Why Choose Camp Hagood?

✔️ Hands-On, Engaging Activities – Learning comes to life through real experiences, not just textbooks.
✔️ Historic & Scenic Setting – The historic gristmill, cabins, and natural landscapes provide an inspiring environment.
✔️ Small Group Learning – Campers receive personal attention and opportunities to fully participate.
✔️ Expert Instructors & Demonstrators – Led by skilled artisans, historians, and educators passionate about preserving history.
✔️ Fun & Educational – A perfect balance of adventure, creativity, and history for young learners.

Scholarship Opportunities

To help local children explore these valuable skills, the Hagood Mill Foundation Board is offering scholarships ranging from $75-$150 for selected applicants. These funds will be applied directly to the Camp Hagood 2026 program to support young learners.

The scholarship committee will consider character, commitment, attitude, and financial need when selecting recipients.

📅 Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
📢 Winners Announced: During the Month of May

Apply for Scholarship to Camp Hagood

3 Day Camp
June 9-11 2026

This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Camp Activities

Campers will pick two topics from the list below to focus on during Camp Hagood 2026. Entry into groups will be on a first come first served basis.

Fiddle

Students who are beginners will learn the parts of a fiddle along with some general history. They will practice bow and finger exercises, applying their new skills to a selected song. *More advanced students will refine their current skills, learn to shuffle the bow and play double stops. Their new skills and techniques will be applied to more advanced music with lots of practice!
Maximum number: 10

Guitar - Beginner

Students will learn the parts of guitar and how to properly care for this instrument. They will learn the first two chords and apply them to a simple song. They must be comfortable with singing while playing to keep the rhythm. No nylon strings, please!
Maximum number: 5

Guitar - Intermediate-Advanced

This class is designed for intermediate and advanced players. Students will focus on flat picking and finger picking patterns while playing more complex chords of three or more.
Maximum number: 5

Leather Craft - Rising 2nd - 5th

Students will have the opportunity to “get back to nature” as they craft their own walking sticks and incorporate leather into their designs. They will also create Native American medicine bags from paper that will look similar to leather and simple stitching with indigenous embellishing.
Maximum number: 10

Leather Craft - Rising 6th +

Students will begin mastering the art of Celtic leather crafting as they tool their own leather cuffs and incorporate Celtic designs. They will also apply their new skills towards making fold-over, leather knife sheaths!
Maximum number: 10

Clay Sculpting (Morning) - Rising 6th +

Students will enjoy making clay face jugs using traditional clay building techniques while learning of the cultural influences of those who lived in Appalachian Region. They will also create clay pieces reflecting the Native American culture of the area. Items will be painted and ready to take home.
Maximum number 6

Clay Sculpting (Afternoon) - Rising 2nd - 5th

Handmade Journals and Ink Pens - Rising 6th +

Students will have access to a variety of materials as they construct their own journals and receive instructions on how to bind them together. The journals are suitable for writing and drawing. Dipping ink pens will be crafted from river cane. The instructor will guide them through calligraphy exercises that can be applied to writing in their new journals or used for any other project.
Maximum number 10

Blacksmith - Rising 6th +

Students will learn basic forging techniques, safety, and the use of tools from a master blacksmith. Each student will forge a snake while learning some of the local Appalachian folklore about snakes.
Maximum number 6

Fabric Arts - 2nd - 5th

Students will explore various ways that artists express themselves through cloth fabrics. They will experience creating traditional quilt block designs and dying their own fabrics such as T-shirts.
Maximum: 8