Sistercare, in partnership with The Junior League of Columbia, Southern Way Catering Company, and Camp Cole, will host the second annual Camp True North on May 9, 2026, at Camp Cole. The free one-day camp will provide pre-teens and teens with interactive workshops and activities focused on building healthy relationships.
The mission of Camp True North is to equip young people with the tools to understand healthy relationships, build selfconfidence, recognize warning signs of abuse, and practice positive communication skills. Through this event, Sistercare aims to begin prevention efforts earlier by starting these critical conversations before harmful patterns begin.
“We hope this event will help break the intergenerational cycle of domestic violence by giving teens the confidence and resources to seek help should they experience or witness teen dating violence,” said Leah Wicevic, CEO of Sistercare.
The camp will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the morning, participants will engage in interactive workshops focused on healthy communication, setting boundaries, and identifying red flags. The afternoon will include camp activities such as archery, arts and crafts, s’mores, and a farm tour. Southern Way Catering Company will provide breakfast and lunch for attendees.
Camp Cole is located at 1571 Crossing Creek Road in Eastover. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, please visit our website at Sistercare.org.
Sistercare is a nonprofit organization committed to reducing the occurrence and impact of domestic violence in the Midlands.
Literacy Leap Local Author Read & Meet ook Fair returns May 30
Richland County Public Education Partners (RCPEP) proudly announces the 2nd annual Literacy Leap: Local Author Read & Meet Book Fair on Saturday, May 30 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the R2i2 Conference Center, 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia, SC 29229.
Designed to spark a lifelong love of reading, Literacy Leap is a free, community-centered event where youth of all ages can explore, and purchase children’s books written by talented local authors. Featuring both fiction and nonfiction works, the event creates a unique opportunity for families to engage directly with storytellers from their own community.
“Literacy Leap is more than a book fair; it’s a celebration of imagination, representation and the power of local voices,” said Alana Grant, executive director, RCPEP. “We are proud to create a space where children can see themselves in stories and meet the authors behind them. This event is the perfect way to kick off a summer reading list.”
This year’s featured guest reader is Jada M. Samuel, author, host, and 2023 Miss South Carolina. Her children’s book, Joy On A Journey: Finding A Mentor, highlights the idea that mentors can be from diverse backgrounds, have different lived experiences, and still add value to our lives. She will bring Joy, the main character, to life during a special reading experience sure to inspire young minds.
Organizations: Join the Movement
Local authors and community literacy resource organizations are invited to participate as vendors for only $50.00, offering a valuable opportunity to connect directly with families, educators, and young readers throughout Richland County. The vendor registration deadline is Friday, May 15. To register as a vendor, visit https://donorbox.org/events/907665/steps/choose_tickets
For more information about Literacy Leap or to register as an attendee, visit https://donorbox.org/events/907678/steps/choose_tickets Call 803-200-1962 or email info@rcpep.org with any questions about sponsorship opportunities.
