Our story is one of memories, of stories, of legacy, of love. But it didn’t start with us. Instead, it all started with a place. Let us tell you all about it.
Before Sakanaga, there was Camp Marietta.
Their song is part of the background hum of our sixty acres in the foothills. And at first, it might not seem of any significance until you realize it's the same sound that's filled the property for decades.
The same sound campers heard in the 1960s when this place was first built. The same sound church groups heard during retreats in the '80s. The same sound gap year students hear on move-in weekend each fall. Soon, they’ll be the background music of your memories, too.
The whippoorwills start singing around dusk.
A Piece of Land That Became So Much More
EXPLORE OUR HISTORY
After decades, the last summer camp is held on the property. As attendance had dwindled, the decision is made to sell.
2014
During breaks and summer months, the property opens its doors as a well-loved wedding and event venue! Continuing a legacy of community & gathering.
Today
Sakanga, the Marietta, SC, site opens, with first year programs joining second years. Both programs have been housed here ever since.
2023
The property becomes a beloved gathering place in our community for weekend retreats & youth camps.
1970s - 1990s
Camp Marietta opens its doors as Baptist Summer Camp, kickstarting a legacy cherished by many.
1959
OneLife Institute assumes ownership. Second-year students arrive first, becoming instrumental in the restoration process.
2019
The purpose of this land has always been to gather together.
But we won’t lie, we had hard work ahead of us. Rotted wood, flaking paint, years of weather taking its toll. While the whole property felt alive with spirit, it surely didn’t look that way.
So students rolled up their sleeves. Volunteers showed up with tools and time. And slowly, piece by piece, we brought it back. Each renovation preserving its history when possible, while making updates needed for use, for generations to come.
When it came into our care, we knew we had inherited a sacred space.
click to view more before & afters
the chapel
the Linden
the pavilion
the Sullivan OLC
You’ll find us tucked into the forest of oaks, maples, and pines that fill the foothills of the Blue Ridge. A place for big celebrations of love, long overdue reunions, and groups who need a few days away from it all.
But we won’t soon forget we were once Camp Marietta. And every inch of this place holds dear memories for so many. How blessed are we to continue that tradition?
an event and wedding venue in Greenville, South Carolina.
Now, we’re Sakanaga
Add your story to the ones that came before.
Walk the trails your grandparents might've walked decades ago. Settle into cabins restored with care. Gather your team for a weekend away from it all. Say “I Do” in the presence of God, nature, and the people who matter most.
ABOUT OUR NON-PROFIT
Sakanaga is owned by OneLife Institute, a nine-month Christian gap year program for high school graduates who want to grow in their faith, experience genuine community, serve others, and travel while earning college credit.
Marietta, SC is one of three sites between SC and PA, where students gather from August to May. We are also the hosts of our Second Year program, OLX, where students gain first-hand experience and professional development in business and ministry work.
Because of who we are, we operate a little differently. The money made doesn’t pad our personal pockets. We work our hardest for you, so that we can keep pouring it back into the mission that matters most to us: impacting the lives of our students.
We don't care if you're hosting 150 people or 15. If it's a wedding, a corporate offsite, or a family reunion. What matters is that you're bringing your people together for something meaningful. Every event we host adds another layer to this property's story. We’re humbled and honored to be a part of it.
