Barrier Island Earth Day 5K

What better way to celebrate Earth Day, experience the coastal beauty of the Lowcountry, and help educate future generations on the environment, than by joining us for this year's Barrier Island Earth Day 5K? 

Join us on Saturday, April 18, 2026 for the Barrier Island Earth Day 5K at the St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center on Seabrook Island. Whether you are looking for a fitness challenge, an interactive way to support a good cause, or a pleasant Saturday morning stroll – we’ve got something for everyone! Here’s what you can look forward to:

 

The Route:

Overflowing with coastal scenery and breathtaking views, our updated 5K course will guide you through several unique ecosystems found on a Lowcountry barrier island. Witness the beauty of our maritime forest draped in Spanish moss, the expansive fields of salt marsh grass, the sandy slopes of our dunes and beach, and maybe even a pod of dolphins playing in estuary waters - all tucked into five kilometers.

Built for both the adventurous trail runner and casual walker, it’s the perfect way to get your steps in and soak up the beauty of our coastal home! 

Note: the course primarily runs along trails with a variety of terrain, including exposed roots, unevenness, sand, mud, and gravel. Some sections are also single-file and/or less than 6 feet wide. The 5K is rain or shine! Please be aware of these conditions, and if you have any questions about the course, please contact Tyler Harris at tharris@stchristopher.org.

 

The Festivities:

During and immediately following the race, the fun continues with something for all ages:

• Food trucks
• Local vendors
• Environmental education booths
• Games and crafts for kids (and kids at heart)
• Live animals and tours of our Herpetarium and Aquarium
• ... and so much more!

Celebrate Earth Day and learn more about what makes barrier islands and the South Carolina coast so special!

 

Registration:

• You must register ahead of time to participate in the Barrier Island Earth Day 5K
• In order to guarantee a Race T-Shirt, you must register by Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Even though it's past March 18, no fret! We will have extra race shirts for sale on race day.
• Children ages 5 and under do not need to register or pay for participating in the 5K. If they would like a bib still, we will have extras on race day!
• Create or join a group AKA dolphin pod. Participate as a unit with friends, family, or coworkers!
• Other than participating in the 5K, all other festivities are free and open to the public, so invite your friends and family to celebrate Earth Day!
• Donations are encouraged as all proceeds for this event contribute to our Barrier Island Scholarship and Outreach Fund (see our mission below)!

 

Schedule of Events:

The 5K:

7:30 - 8:30 am: 5K Bib and T-shirt Pickup

8:30 - 10:00 am: Barrier Island Earth Day 5K

10:00 - 10:30 am: 5K Awards Ceremony

Earth Day Festivities:

8:30 am - 11:30 am: Food Trucks, Vendors, Games, and Environmental Booths

8:45 am: Herpetarium and Aquarium tour*

10:15 am: Herpetarium and Aquarium tour*

*Sign up before the animal tours at the Barrier Island Table in the Grove to ensure availability; tours will meet at the designated times at the Barrier Island table.

 

Mission:

This event is organized by the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program, a ministry of the St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center. Every year, our program hosts thousands of public and private K-12 students for 3-day, 2-night field trips, or through local outreach visits. Whether wallowing around in our salt marsh mudpit or touching a turtle for the first time, students experience the outdoors in a profound way and develop lifelong memories.

In an age of technology and environmental misuse, we believe experiences like ours are crucial for the next generation to better understand the surrounding world. We also believe this experience is for all students, no matter their background or socioeconomic status.

All proceeds from this event will directly benefit our Barrier Island Scholarship and Outreach Fund, which helps bring our hands-on environmental education to local underserved students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds. Your participation will help us inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and foster a love for our planet on Earth Day and beyond!

To support our mission - generating scholarships for schools and students to visit the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program and provide outreach to local Title I classrooms - you can sign up for the 5K or donate using our donations tab.

If you or your business wish to sponsor the race, or if you wish to volunteer on the day of the event, please contact the Associate Director of Barrier Island, Tyler Harris at tharris@stchristopher.org for more information.

 

Other Important Information:

Lodging opportunities are available for individuals and groups:

• Contact Katie Sullivan for discounted group cabin rates at ksullivan@stchristopher.org.
• Contact Lisa Marrone to book a lodge room at lmarrone@stchristopher.org.

What to bring:

• Chairs, blankets, and other seating are encouraged
• Personal water bottles: Water refill stations will be available so let's be as Earth-friendly as possible!
• NO dogs are allowed: While we love our furry friends, we anticipate large crowds and small children. The safety and comfort of all our guests is our top priority. Service animals are permitted and must be on-leash or under voice control of the owner.
• Strollers are welcome at the festival; however, these may be challenging if using during the 5K as some areas of the course offer uneven terrain including gravel, sand, and roots.
• We will have Compost and Recycling Bins available in the Grove for food waste and recyclable materials. Please join us in making sure we reduce as much garbage waste as possible this Earth Day!!

Thank you for your support of K-12 environmental education in the Lowcountry! Let's celebrate Earth Day the Charleston Way!