CAMP SOUTHERN GROUND PROVIDES CAMPERS WITH AN ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES SELF-DISCOVERY, CURIOSITY, FRIENDSHIP, AND INDEPENDENCE.
STORY BY FRANCESCA AUGELLO / PHOTOS COURTESY CAMP SOUTHERN GROUND
CAMP SOUTHERN Ground (CSG) is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization that “believes camp is more than just fun and games; it’s a place where kids grow, learn, and build 
lifelong friendships.” Founded by Georgia native and Country music star Zac Brown in 2018, this camp is dedicated to “ensuring every camper feels safe, respected, supported, and fully included.” CSG believes that every camper is part of something bigger, and — as Zac says — “Inclusion is at the heart of who we are. When kids learn that we’re all stronger together, they carry that lesson with them forever.”
The 400-acre camp located in Fayetteville, Georgia provides campers with an environment that promotes self-discovery, curiosity, friendship, and independence. The wide variety of camp activities ensure that every camper formulates connections with their peers while exploring their passions. The most popular activities include mountain biking on the new woodland trail, kayaking trips to Lake McIntosh, participating in the high ropes challenge course, and zooming down their “Mega Zipline,” but that’s only a glimpse of what CSG has to offer. Whether the kids want to tap into their creative side with “music, arts & crafts, and a culinary program that incorporates fruits and veggies from [their] 11-acre organic garden,” or indulge in the camp’s “miles of tracks, sports fields, spectacular treehouse, or their state-of-the-art facilities for activities like archery,” they’re sure to find their niche at CSG. Being able to accommodate all of the campers’ preferences solidifies CSG as “a place where kids can disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other and the world around them.”
There are endless amounts of creative, exciting activities available to kids at Camp Southern Ground, but their primary focus is — and always will be — the campers. Matthew “Matty” Cook is CSG’s Camp Director, and he says, “We’re a great fit for any child who’s ready to experience adventure, make new friends, and grow as part of a 
community of belonging. Whether your child loves the outdoors, creative arts, or is looking to build confidence and independence, they’ll find their place here.” CSG hosts anywhere between 90 to 100 children each week, averaging 720 campers over the entire summer. Their 60% retention rate speaks for itself, and the camp’s affordability is achieved by providing a tier pricing model that can be broken down on their website. Matty says that “generous donors and partner foundations provide scholarships to ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy and growth of CSG.”
One of Camp Southern Ground’s more unique programs is their Inclusion Model “which integrates neurotypical campers with neurodiverse campers to create an environment of mutual learning, understanding, and support.” CSG strives to celebrate all of their campers’ differences, help them create lifelong bonds, and establish a sense of belonging through the integration of children with varied needs and strengths. About ⅓ of the children that attend CSG have either level one or two autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or other developmental and cognitive challenges. CSG’s camp counselors are trained in “working with neurodiverse campers, mental health first aid, behavior development and intervention, and inclusion best practices” to guarantee all kids are properly cared for.
Helping veterans and their families find ways to thrive after their military service is another important facet of CSG’s mission. Not only does CSG host Camp Corral, which 
“provides a life-changing experience for children of wounded, injured, ill, or fallen military service members,” but they have two camps that cater to veterans specifically. The first, Warrior Week, is “a transformative, seven-day program focused on helping post-9/11 veterans find renewed purpose and direction.” The second camp, Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes) is “an intensive, 18-month program that begins with a seven-day onsite initiation at Camp Southern Ground designed to support veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and combat stress.”
Matty says, “Both programs are grounded in the belief that veterans deserve more than just a ‘thank you for your service’ — they deserve to be supported with tools, support, and community to thrive in life after their military careers.” The themes of inclusion, support, and understanding that lay the framework for their kid-centric summer camps also appear within their veterans programs. This ensures that everyone — no matter their age or background — can gain the capabilities to make the world a more compassionate and understanding place.
It’s evident Camp Southern Ground is focused on improving the lives of the people who attend their camps. The ultimate goal (besides having fun) is that the camp’s attendees gain the tools to implement positive practices and ideologies into their communities once they return home. Providing a welcoming and supportive environment that promotes compassion and empathy is a foundational aspect of CSG’s overarching mission — whether that’s for kids who range from 7-17 years old or veterans of all ages. Zac Brown says, “We’re all stronger when we work together, and we all have something valuable to contribute… It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you’re facing, you’re part of the family here.” For more information on CSG, visit CampSouthernGround.org.
