Barrier Island Earth Day 5K and Festival

🌍 Event Overview

What better way to celebrate Earth Day, do your part to conserve nature, and help educate future generations on the environment, then by joining us for this year's Barrier Island Earth Day 5K and Festival?

Join us on Saturday, April 26, 2025, for the Barrier Island Earth Day 5K Fun Run & Festival at St. Christopher Camp & Conference Center.

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 5K Fun Run

The 5K course will guide you through five unique ecosystems in five kilometers: maritime forest, salt marsh, dunes, estuary, and beach. It’s the perfect way to get your steps in while soaking in the beauty of our planet and celebrating Earth Day!

🎉 The Festival

After the race, the fun continues with something for all ages:

• Food trucks: Enjoy delicious local food.
• Local vendors: Shop unique goods.
• Silent auction: Bid on exciting items.
• Educational booths: Learn about the environment.
• Games and crafts: Fun for kids (and kids at heart).
• Live animals: Tours of our herpetarium and aquarium.
• ... and so much more!

🗓️ Schedule of Events

🏃‍♀️ 5K Fun Run

• 7:30 - 8:30 am: 5K Bib and T-shirt Pickup
• 8:30 - 10:00 am: BI Earth Day 5K Fun Run
• 10:00 - 10:30 am: 5K Awards Ceremony

🌱 Earth Day Festival

• 8:30 am -1:00 pm: Festival and Silent Auction
• 8:45 am: Herpetarium and Aquarium tour*
• 10:15 am: Herpetarium and Aquarium tour*
• 11:00 am: Heartbeatz Performance Team Dance

*Sign up before the tour at the Barrier Island table in the grove to ensure availability: tours will meet at designated time at the Barrier Island table.

💚 Mission

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 to create scholarships for schools and students to visit the Barrier Island Environmental Education Program and provide outreach to local Title 1 classrooms, you can sign up for the 5K and Festival 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 Barrier Island Program at naturalist@stchristopher.org for more information.

📋 Other Important Information

🏨 Lodging Opportunities

• 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 and blankets: Seating is encouraged.
• Personal water bottles: Water refill stations will be available so let's be as Earth-friendly as possible!
• NO dogs: 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.
• Strollers: Welcome at the festival: however, may be challenging if using during the 5K as some areas offer uneven terrain.
• Compost and Recycling: Bins will be available for food waste and recyclable materials.

📝 Registration

• Advance registration: Required to participate in our 5K Fun Run (includes your festival ticket).
• Race T-Shirt: Register by Friday, March 22, 2025 to guarantee one.
• Festival only: Register ahead to guarantee entry at a reduced price! Day of Festival entry tickets will be offered for a "price-per-vehicle" fee.

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

More information and registration here.