If your church or small group is looking for a retreat center near Greenville, SC, you do not have to travel far to find the mountains. Camp Tekoa Retreats in Hendersonville, North Carolina is about 40 miles and roughly an hour from Greenville, and about the same from Spartanburg. That short drive means your group can leave after work on a Friday, arrive for dinner, and be fully away by evening.
Camp Tekoa is affiliated with the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. We welcome church groups, small groups, youth groups, and families for retreats in the spring, fall, and winter, with spaces sized for gatherings from a dozen people to a few hundred.
Why Upstate Groups Choose Camp Tekoa
Distance matters when you are planning a retreat. A shorter drive means less time on the road, lower travel costs, and more hours for what the retreat is really about. It also makes a one-night or short weekend retreat practical, which can be easier for busy families and working adults to commit to.
Even so, the setting feels a world away. The Blue Ridge Mountains surround the property, and the lake, trails, and open sky invite everyone to slow down. Nearby attractions include the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, and Lake Jocassee across the state line in South Carolina.
Retreat Spaces for Greenville-Area Small Groups
Small groups need spaces that feel personal, and Camp Tekoa offers plenty of them. Our small group spaces each hold 12 to 20 guests, which makes them ideal for discussion, devotions, or quiet conversation. Laurel Main seats 75, the Laurel Back Porch seats 60, and the Chapel in the Woods seats 100 for worship or teaching.
For lodging, options range from the 12-bed Dogwood Cabin to the 64-bed Cedar Cabin, and Camp Tekoa offers 285 beds across 12 buildings overall. From mid-October to mid-April, six heated buildings provide 199 beds. You can compare every cabin and lodge on our accommodations page.
A Private Option for Self-Catered Groups
Thrushwood Lodge is heated and cooled for comfort in every retreat season and is often rented separately. It offers four rooms, 15 beds, a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, an adjoining porch, and accessibility, along with a firepit at the Meadow. It is the only place at camp where groups may cook for themselves, which makes it a strong fit for a small group that wants privacy and a more home-like retreat.
Meals and Mealtime
For most groups, food service is required, and meals are served cafeteria-style in our dining hall, which seats 185. Mealtimes are some of the best moments for conversation, and a recent guest called the food "excellent." Groups that prefer to prepare their own meals can book Thrushwood Lodge.
Activities for Greenville-Area Small Groups
Small groups often bond fastest when they do something together. On-site adventure includes multiple ziplines, a rope swing over the lake, and a 40-foot climbing tower, and you can browse everything on our on-site adventure page. The property also has a 3-acre lake, hiking trails, a full-size field, and an 18-hole disc golf course.
Need ideas for connection? Our guide to team building activities for your small group offers options for groups of many sizes and comfort levels.
Retreats We Host for Greenville-Area Groups
Camp Tekoa hosts many kinds of gatherings for Greenville-area churches. Church small groups use a retreat to study Scripture and build friendships, and Sunday school classes and youth groups enjoy the mix of adventure and worship. Women's and men's ministries, church staff teams, and family groups can all find space here. If you want to see what a retreat looks like, our guide on what to expect on a Christian retreat walks through a typical weekend.
You can also learn more about small group retreats in North Carolina, or read our advice on how far in advance to plan a small group retreat.
What Groups Say
"Camp Tekoa was the perfect place for a retreat for my fourth and fifth grade Sunday school group. The activities are incredibly well staffed and engaging. ... There is a real sense of peace and joy throughout the camp, and everything is very well managed."
Mary Laurens M., Sunday school group retreat (Google review)
"The food was well prepared and the overall weekend was well organized. I would highly recommend any local church or youth group take time to visit Camp Tekoa and reconnect with God and their spirituality."
Joshua H., church group guest (Google review)
Rates, Budgeting, and Funding Your Retreat
Rates depend on your group size, lodging, and season, and you can review current details on our Rates and Bookings page. Complete the inquiry form, and our team will follow up with availability.
A shorter trip can also help your budget. Because the drive from Greenville is brief, many groups can choose a one-night stay, which keeps lodging and meal costs lower. Share your group size and dates with our team, and we can walk you through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Camp Tekoa from Greenville, SC?
Camp Tekoa is about 40 miles from Greenville, which is roughly an hour by car depending on traffic. Spartanburg is a similar distance, so groups from across the Upstate can arrive in time for dinner.
What size Greenville-area small group can you host?
We welcome groups from 20 to 250. For smaller gatherings, our small group spaces each hold 12 to 20 guests, and Thrushwood Lodge offers a private option with 15 beds.
Can we do a one-night retreat?
Yes. Because the drive is short, a one-night stay works well for many groups. Contact our team to talk through dates and schedules that fit your group.
Can our group cook its own meals?
Groups may cook for themselves only by booking Thrushwood Lodge. For all other lodging, food service is required, and meals are served in our dining hall.
Is Camp Tekoa open in the winter?
Yes. We host retreats in the spring, fall, and winter, and six heated buildings with 199 beds are available from mid-October to mid-April. Thrushwood Lodge is heated and cooled for use in every retreat season.
Plan Your Retreat Near Greenville
The best way to know if Camp Tekoa fits your group is to see it. Contact our team to ask about visiting camp, talk through dates, and get your questions answered. You can also call us at (828) 692-6516, or book your retreat when you are ready.
Camp Tekoa Retreats, 211 Thomas Road, Hendersonville, NC 28739.