School’s out for summer! While the excitement of summer break is felt by kids and parents alike, some structured activity helps kids stay engaged in learning, exploring, and making new friendships. Plus, many parents work and rely on summer camps for child care throughout the summer. Day camps are offered in full or half days, depending on age and needs of parents.
These camps aren’t just for little kids. There are a variety of summer camps for teens in the Asheville area that will keep your teenagers from sleeping all day. Many of these camps include app development workshops, programming, wilderness adventures, rock climbing, mountain biking, bouldering, and more.
Plan ahead! Camps fill up quickly. Many day summer camps begin registration in January. Below, you’ll find our top summer camps for kids in and around Asheville, broken down into types of summer camps.
- Indoor Summer Camps: An indoor camp can include plenty of activity for children and teenagers! From creative arts to martial arts, you'll find a variety of top-notch camps in the Asheville area.
- Outdoor Summer Camps: A perk of sending your child to an outdoor summer camp near Asheville is the accessibility to many forms of outdoor activities for kids. Many outdoor camps are hosted on family-friendly campgrounds with onsite access to hiking, swimming, rafting, climbing and more. It allows kids to be in nature and disconnect from screens.
- Sports Summer Camps: Many sports camps in Asheville include volleyball, basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming and more. Whether you have a camper looking to learn the basics of a sport or have a camper who wants to develop their skills within a sport, there are options for all skill sets.
- STEAM Summer Camps: In case you didn’t know, STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Asheville has a nice variety of STEAM camps in the area for kids and teens to develop their natural interests outside of sports and the outdoors.
Looking for overnight summer camps? See our Overnight Summer Camp Guide for big kids and teens.
Outdoor & Indoor Summer Camps
Appalachian Institute for Creative Learning
Appalachian Institute for Creative Learning (AICL) is dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of learning. They create a vibrant community for campers that celebrates who they are while introducing them to new, exciting experiences. AICL is an inclusive, diverse summer enrichment camp for campers ages 8-18.
Located at Mars Hill University, just north of Asheville, campers… read more
JCC Camp Ruach, Asheville
Open to all, this Jewish community center offers a variety of day camps, including a camp for children with autism called Camp Tikvah. Activities include swimming, sports, arts & crafts,… read more
Open to all, this Jewish community center offers a variety of day camps, including a camp for children with autism called Camp Tikvah. Activities include swimming, sports, arts & crafts, gardening, dance, music, and off-site field trips for campers to explore Asheville’s surrounding natural landscape. Weekly sessions run June-August. 8:30 AM-5:30 PM, Grades 1-8.
Discovery Camp, NC Arboretum
The North Carolina Arboretum offers a variety of camps for varying ages and interests including outdoor exploration, hiking, arts & crafts, local ecology, geocaching, disc golf, biking, and… read more
The North Carolina Arboretum offers a variety of camps for varying ages and interests including outdoor exploration, hiking, arts & crafts, local ecology, geocaching, disc golf, biking, and more. Weekly sessions run June-Aug, 9 AM-4 PM, Grades K-8.
Teen Water Adventure Camp, Asheville Parks & Recreation
This three-day camp is perfect for campers who like to spend their summer splashing around. Activities may include tubing, snorkeling, paddling, hiking to waterfalls, and whitewater rafting on a… read more
This three-day camp is perfect for campers who like to spend their summer splashing around. Activities may include tubing, snorkeling, paddling, hiking to waterfalls, and whitewater rafting on a river. July. 9 AM-5 PM, ages 11-14. $105/session
YMCA Summer Day Camps
Choose from a variety of summer day camps throughout the region with focuses on science, sports, arts, and adventure. Campers will grow in self-confidence and experience activities including… read more
Choose from a variety of summer day camps throughout the region with focuses on science, sports, arts, and adventure. Campers will grow in self-confidence and experience activities including archery, high and low ropes, gardening, wilderness adventure, forestry, field trips, and more. Weekly sessions run June-Aug, 7 AM-6 PM, Ages 4-14. Cost varies with the program.
Camp Cedar Cliff, Asheville
This Christian day camp includes themed weeks, games, splash days, archery, bb ranges, swimming, and more. 2nd-5th graders will get to experience hour-long trail rides with horses, as well as… read more
This Christian day camp includes themed weeks, games, splash days, archery, bb ranges, swimming, and more. 2nd-5th graders will get to experience hour-long trail rides with horses, as well as practice riding skills. Lunch and snacks included. Weekly sessions run from June-August. 8 AM-5 PM. Grades K-5th.
Kidventure Camp, Asheville Parks & Recreation
This four-day camp focuses on outdoor activities including hiking, geocaching, shelter and fire building, raft making, fishing, swimming, archery, climbing wall, and an inflatable kayak trip. June… read more
This four-day camp focuses on outdoor activities including hiking, geocaching, shelter and fire building, raft making, fishing, swimming, archery, climbing wall, and an inflatable kayak trip. June. 9 AM-5 PM, ages 9-11. $105/session.
Sunny Truth Farm, Mars Hill
This camp allows kids to learn and play in an outdoor setting where they interact with nature through games, art, science, and farm animals. It’s held on 150 acres of land comprised of meadows,… read more
This camp allows kids to learn and play in an outdoor setting where they interact with nature through games, art, science, and farm animals. It’s held on 150 acres of land comprised of meadows, forest, springs, and trails to explore. Themed weekly sessions run June-August. 8:30 AM-3 PM, ages 5-10.
Adventure Camp, Adventure Center of Asheville
Campers will experience a variety of outdoor adventures at this camp, including ziplines, rafting, treetop course, tree climbing, bike park, and daily swimming. Campers will participate in daily… read more
Campers will experience a variety of outdoor adventures at this camp, including ziplines, rafting, treetop course, tree climbing, bike park, and daily swimming. Campers will participate in daily team-building games, fun activities, creative learning, and age-appropriate outdoor education immersive learning. Weekly sessions run June-August. 8:30 AM-4 PM. Ages 8-15.
WNC Nature Center, Asheville
This camp creates fun, educational experiences to show campers the wonders of the natural worlds with themes focusing on reptiles, amphibians, birds, bugs, butterflies, and more. All sessions… read more
This camp creates fun, educational experiences to show campers the wonders of the natural worlds with themes focusing on reptiles, amphibians, birds, bugs, butterflies, and more. All sessions include animal encounters, outdoor recreation, crafts, and group activities on the Nature Center grounds. Camp runs June-August. 8:30 AM-3 PM (Aftercare available: 3 PM-5 PM), Grades K-4.
Adventure Camp, Asheville Parks & Recreation
This five day camp includes activities like hiking, swimming, rafting, tubing, games, environmental education, and camping. Camp sessions will break into two groups for age-based activities. June-… read more
This five day camp includes activities like hiking, swimming, rafting, tubing, games, environmental education, and camping. Camp sessions will break into two groups for age-based activities. June-July. 9 AM-5 PM. Ages 8-12, $105/week
Sports Summer Camps
Osega Gymnastics, Fletcher
This active camp (available in full and half-day options) is fun for kids of all skill levels with a once a week visit to the pool for full-day campers. Activities include daily ninja &… read more
This active camp (available in full and half-day options) is fun for kids of all skill levels with a once a week visit to the pool for full-day campers. Activities include daily ninja & gymnastics lessons, games, arts & crafts, and free play in the gym. Weekly sessions run June-Aug, 8:30 AM-5:30 PM, ages 3-14.
ABYSA Soccer Camps
This summer soccer camp offers three camp options for varying skill sets, from beginner to experienced players. Campers will learn foundational skills like dribbling, passing, receiving, shielding… read more
This summer soccer camp offers three camp options for varying skill sets, from beginner to experienced players. Campers will learn foundational skills like dribbling, passing, receiving, shielding, and shooting. Full day campers will have afternoon pool time. Weekly sessions run June-Aug with full and half-day options, age 7-14.
Kolo Bike Camp, Adventure Center of Asheville
Kolo Bike Park at the Adventure Center of Asheville hosts 2 summer bike camps: Kolo Kiddie Camp (ages 5-7) and Kolo Flow Camp (ages 8-15). Campers will explore bike trails and pump… read more
Kolo Bike Park at the Adventure Center of Asheville hosts 2 summer bike camps: Kolo Kiddie Camp (ages 5-7) and Kolo Flow Camp (ages 8-15). Campers will explore bike trails and pump tracks, learning new skills and jumps. See the website for camp details and skill levels. Weekly sessions run June-Aug, 8:30 AM-4:00.
