Starr Teal in the kitchen of his Campfire Grill Restaurant

Starr Teel, owner of Flat Rock’s Hubba Hubba Smokehouse and Campfire Grill, has embraced his life-long relationship with the summer camp experience. First as a camper, then as a counselor, and later as a passionate advocate for kids in camp, Starr Teal’s fervent belief in the benefits of summer camp has never wavered.

One only needs to walk into Starr’s Campfire Grill to understand the importance of camping to its owner. Every wall is adorned with photos of kids in camps - canoeing, hiking, swimming, working on craft projects, and standing arm in arm with new friends. One black and white photo in particular features a teenaged Starr Teel at camp in the 1970s.

Starr was introduced to camping by his father who was adamant that his children would participate in summer camps. Starr’s first experience as a camp counselor was at Camp Falling Creek here in Henderson County and his sisters attended Camp Graystone.

Now, nearly five decades later, Starr is still working to make sure kids can have access to transformative summer camp experiences. From his perspective, camp is more than just a place to have fun. “Camp develops resourcefulness and independent thinking,” says Starr. “Local camps provide grit, personal accountability, and community - and have been doing so for over 100 years.”

Putting his beliefs into action, Starr recently hosted a fund-raising dinner for Camplify - a local nonprofit which provides area kids and teenagers access to camp experiences that might not be affordable for their families. Established in 1994, Camplify recognized that a disproportionate number of kids-in-need are not able to access the many camps that populate our region.

With time, what began as a volunteer-run weekend camp has morphed into a much wider program that includes sponsorships to attend local camps, weekend programming during the school year, and opportunities for the older participants to mentor the young kids entering the program.

Camplify currently works with 170 area children. Participants enter the program in the 4th grade based on nominations from school counselors. The students stay in the program through high school and during their time in the program progress from weekend camps, to week-long camp experiences with one of 24 area camps, to assuming more and more leadership roles in the program as they get older.

Lauren Bayne, Executive Director of Camplify with three of the program’s current participants.

Lauren Bayne, Executive Director of Camplify, says the program is ultimately about helping kids become more successful adults. “They are really great kids facing some challenges in their lives that need some support.” Lauren explains that the nonprofit helps kids learn the social and emotional skills they need to have to succeed. “We create opportunities for kids to acquire skills that will help them thrive no matter what life throws at them in the future.”

From his perspective, Starr sees the benefits of summer camp as more important than ever. He points out the irony of kids hyper-connected by technology but nonetheless more isolated than previous generations. “They’ve got all the technology skills, but the relational piece is missing,” he says.

(L-R) Yates and Marisa Pharr of Camp Falling Creek, Lauren Bayne, and John Burton

The fundraising dinner at Campfire Grill featured guest appearances from two of the regions most high profile chefs. Haydn Shaak from Restaurant 17 and Adam Cooke from Topsoil Restaurant - both based in Travelers Rest - prepared special dishes for approximately 70 patrons to enjoy while supporting Camplify.

Adam Cooke, Executive Chef, Topsail Restaurant

Shaak was the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) Chef of the Year in 2020 and is currently the 2022 Chef Ambassador for South Carolina. Cooke is SCLRA’s 2021 Chef of the Year, a James Beard semi-finalist in 2020, and was recognized as one of America’s Top 40 Chefs Under 40.

Adam Cooke was more than happy to contribute to the success of the night. “I have four children of my own,” he explains. “Anytime I can do something to create more opportunity for kids, I think that is just essential.”

Starr was one of Camplify’s earliest board members and has seen first hand the positive impact of the program. “The entire community benefits from a leadership standpoint because these kids go on to be our community leaders - our teachers, our doctors, our lawyers” He was also pleased that his business can be a source for good. “Camplify is one of our principal outreach initiatives. This dinner is about what can we give back to our community.”

Lauren Bayne sees Camplify as a win-win for the kids and for the camp partners that provide opportunities for Camplify kids. “Our camp partners are excited about the chance to also serve the kids in our community, the kids who have some extra need. And it’s good for all the campers to see people from different backgrounds and life experiences. It’s good for everybody.”

Mara Erdman, General Manager for Campfire Grill, serves as a current board member for Camplify. She respects Starr’s commitment to Camplify and has seen firsthand his heart for giving back. “Starr’s thing, especially with this restaurant, has always been celebrating community and place,” she explains. “Tonight’s event feels like a celebration of his vision and his love for camps and what makes this community great.”

Starr with Mara Erdman, General Manager of Campfire Grill and Hubba Hubba Smokehouse.

At the end of the night, after the dishes were cleared, the kitchen was cleaned, and the last lingering guest departed into the Flat Rock night, Starr Teal and his restaurant had raised over $8,000 for a cause that resides deep in his heart. In every regard, it was a great night of exceptional food, friends sharing a meal, and successful philanthropy.

Sitting alone at an empty table, Starr reflected on what he and his associates were able to accomplish. “Every kid in America should wait tables and go to summer camp.” Mara Erdman, standing behind the bar, smiled as Starr spoke and punctuated the very successful evening with a final, “Amen.”

Learn more about Camplify here.

Read about Campfire Grill here.