Downtown Augusta’s merchants excitedly hosted the third annual Camp Soul City on Saturday, encouraging participants to explore several shops and restaurants with a self-guided event.
Organized by Downtown Soul City, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and marketing retail in the CSRA, the summer camp-themed crawl welcomed participants of all ages to complete a creative activity and earn a merit badge.
Highlighted activities included collaging a bookmark, tie-dying T-shirts, bracelet weaving, candle making, temporary tattoos, creating an all-natural, DIY bug spray and more.
John Porter, director of DSC, said the spread out stations allowed campers to trek down Broad Street and tour many unique businesses that they otherwise might not venture into.
“Today is about people meeting the business owners really and having a good time,” he said. “Having a good experience at these places that you are already shopping at or might shop at eventually … and it’s important for them to know that the businesses downtown are working together.”
Porter said drink and beverage stops, or cantinas, were added to the camp this year to invite various eateries in the fun.
New Moon Cafe general manager Stephanie Etheredge said she believed the event promoted the community’s mission to drive more interest and business downtown to continue helping smaller businesses thrive in the area.
“I think drawing positive business to downtown is super important, because we’re trying to turn it around, and I think we’re headed in a really good direction,” she said. “With local businesses, like us, we have great customer service and we try to go on a first name basis, which you just don’t find everywhere.”
Partnered businesses for this year’s camp featured: Tiffinie Bleu Bridal, Buona Caffe, Morris Museum of Art, Urban K9, Augusta Candle Co., The Book Tavern, Field Botanicals, Grantski Records, Augusta & Co., Laziza’s, New Moon Cafe, Boll Weevil, Tip TopTaps, Vance’s Bakery Bar, Taco Cat and Farmhaus.
Camp Soul City’s headquarters were held at Augusta & Co. and handed out maps and merchandise to campers to get their downtown trek started. Staff photo by Liz Wright.Camp Soul City’s headquarters were held at Augusta & Co. and handed out maps and merchandise to campers to get their downtown trek started. Staff photo by Liz Wright.At Augusta & Co., campers built an edible campfire to start their Saturday, self-guided tour. Staff photo by Liz Wright.A camper scolds another for eating pieces of her campfire, prior to successfully constructing her creation. Staff photo by Liz Wright.Brandy Gibson, owner of Tiffanie Bleu Bridal, places a temporary tattoo on an enthusiastic camper. Staff photo by Liz Wright.Campers of all ages were excited to receive temporary tattoos during the third annual Camp Soul City. Staff photo by Liz Wright.Brandy Gibson, owner of Tiffanie Bleu Bridal, places a temporary tattoo on an enthusiastic camper. Staff photo by Liz Wright.Each business featured a bowl of themed pins, or merit badges, for campers to take home after completing a fun activity. Staff photo by Liz Wright.At The Book Tavern, participants creatively collaged bookmarks using recycled newspapers, magazines and books. First time camper and mom Kelly Galvarino (center, in black and white stripped shirt), who traveled from Aiken, said she was thrilled to visit Downtown Augusta and explore the area’s “eclectic shops.” Staff photo by Liz Wright.Grantski Records’ employees also joined in on the day’s festivities by creating and sporting themed tie-dye T-shirts. Staff photo by Liz Wright.Field Botanicals, known for selling naturally sourced products, enticed campers to make all-natural bug spray to stay safe outdoors during the summertime. Staff photo by Liz Wright.Camp Soul City participants were instructed to mix several ingredients together to create an all-natural bug spray. Staff photo by Liz Wright.America Barrava (right) helps her nephew at different stations while earning different merit badges from multiple participating businesses. Staff photo by Liz Wright.
Liz Wright started with The Augusta Press in May of 2022, and loves to cover a variety of community topics. She strives to always report in a truthful and fair manner, which will lead to making her community a better place. In June 2023, Liz became the youngest recipient and first college student to have been awarded the Georgia Press Association's Emerging Journalist of the Year. With a desire to spread more positive news, she especially loves to write about good things happening in Augusta. In her spare time, she can be found reading novels or walking her rambunctious Pitbull.
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