Camp Seafarer's Run a Kid to Camp (RAKTC) program began in the summer of 2000 when three members of our leadership staff approached the team of directors with an idea to raise funds for camperships.
All three had previously run a marathon that raised money for worthy organizations. Their idea was to use the marathon/ fundraising concept as an opportunity to bring more children to camp.
Since 2000, over 900 Camp alumni, families and friends of Camp have trained for and run a half or full marathon, and the Camp Seafarer Marathon Endowment now totals $700,000+ and has sent more than 100 girls to Camp since its inception. This endowment, which provides camperships to girls of single parents, sends campers to Camp each summer, thereby making the magical experience we all know and love possible for a girl who otherwise would not be able to attend.
We strongly believe in the powerful, positive influence of a summer at Camp when children are surrounded by fantastic role models, strong character and skill development, and a whole lot of love.
Chase Keith O’Brien, Sydney Moeckel Buppert, and Chandler Collins wrote the following in their proposal for the first-ever Run a Kid to Camp Marathon in 2000:
“When something has shaped your life, your being, your relationship to the world around you, there is an unwavering commitment and loyalty deep within that honors the roots you have laid at this place, the wings it revealed to you and the faith with which it taught you to fly. Camp Seafarer is the only place we know that affects people so deeply that they are willing to spend 18 weeks’ worth of Saturday mornings running 10, 16 or even 22 miles to train for a marathon. But there really is no surprise at this dedication. At the end of the summer, we found it was the pouring of ourselves into the lives of children that in turn poured life into us. We left those gates knowing we had made a difference.”
We are excited to share that this year’s race will be held in Myrtle Beach on March 2, 2024. Whether you are a Camp alumni, parent, camper, staff member or even the friend of someone with a Camp connection, we'd love to have you join us. Join Team Seafarer on the race course or by joining the best team of supporters - we have a reputation of bringing a lot of fun and energy to the sidelines of the course and need your help to do that!
Training, Race & Hotel Information
Training has officially started! Here are the training schedules for the Marathon and Half Marathon. Grab a running buddy and get out there!
All runners must sign up for the marathon with Myrtle Beach Marathon.
Reserve a room from our room block at the Grande Cayman Resort. Directions to book a room within our room block are as follows: Call the reservation number at 855-820-4751 and use the group name Camp Seafarer and group code "campseafarer."
Room rates are at a reduced cost with our block; rates range from $109-$114 per night with oceanfront views! The cutoff date for booking with this rate is January 31, 2024.
It is not required for you to stay within our room block; however, we'll be hosting our events throughout the weekend here and carpooling to and from the resort.
Registration
This registration is required for both race participants and the support team. The registration cost of $100 goes toward paying for your T-shirt, dinner on Saturday, snacks/drinks on race day and overall event costs. This cost does not include rooms or the race fees.
Once you register with Camp, you'll receive our fundraising packet and a manual on setting up your Classy page, which we use to raise money for the Run a Kid to Camp endowment. Every runner and support team member is asked to raise at least $500 for the RAKTC endowment.
Questions
If you have any questions in anticipation of Run a Kid to Camp 2024, please reach out to Sarah Kasler or Elayne Steinman.
Thank you for all you do for Camp and for all you're doing to support and change lives through RAKTC!
