There are a variety of overnight summer camps for older kids and teens in Western North Carolina. Many of these camps are offered in sessions ranging from three days up to eight weeks, depending on the camper's age. Overnight summer camps (also called residential camps) offer various activities ranging from whitewater rafting and zipline tours to creative writing, painting, or science and technology workshops. (Feature image: Camp Pinnacle)
Water balloon toss at Camp Pinnacle, Flat Rock.
While some parents may hesitate to send their kids to an overnight summer camp, the benefits are great! Experienced camp counselors help your child be responsible, make decisions, and engage in the surroundings. The balance of structured activities, adventure, community, responsibility, and fun work together to enrich your child, creating summer memories that will last a lifetime.
Benefits of Overnight Summer Camps
- Independence: Campers manage their own space, chores, and choices
- Self-Confidence: Campers are encouraged to overcome self-doubts and rise to the challenge
- Friendships: Campers develop relationships and find common interests with other campers
- New Skills: Campers develop skills from a variety of activities and experiences
- Gratitude: Time away from home often leads to an appreciation for parents and siblings
- Team Player: Campers work together toward a common goal
- Responsibility: All campers have responsibilities, including leadership roles
- Tolerance: Campers learn to work through conflict with others and allow
Also, see Western NC Day & Half-Day Summer Camps.
Top Overnight Summer Camps in Western North Carolina
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… read more
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 can attend …
Camp Cedar Cliff, Asheville
This Christian-based camp offers a variety of overnight camps for rising 2nd-10th graders. Depending on age, camps include whitewater rafting, zipline tours, archery, swimming, rope courses, and… read more
This Christian-based camp offers a variety of overnight camps for rising 2nd-10th graders. Depending on age, camps include whitewater rafting, zipline tours, archery, swimming, rope courses, and more. 1-2 week sessions, June - August. Ages 5-16.
Eagle's Nest, Pisgah
Encourages boys and girls to live and grow simply, rooted by intentional experiences and connection to the community. Activities promote self-expression, personal growth, skill-building, and fun.… read more
Encourages boys and girls to live and grow simply, rooted by intentional experiences and connection to the community. Activities promote self-expression, personal growth, skill-building, and fun. With wilderness activities, music and drama, athletics, and more. 1-3 week sessions, June-August. Grades K-9.
Gwynn Valley Camp, Brevard
This overnight summer camp for kids located on a working farm offers farm activities, nature lessons, hiking, sports, blacksmithing, climbing, archery, crafts, and more. Programs focus on… read more
This overnight summer camp for kids located on a working farm offers farm activities, nature lessons, hiking, sports, blacksmithing, climbing, archery, crafts, and more. Programs focus on sustainability, community, outdoors, wilderness, and leadership. 7-day to 3-week sessions, June-August. Completed grades: K-10th.
Camp Highlander, Mills River
Adventures and activities including canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, water skiing, arts and crafts, pottery, archery, riflery, and more. 1-3 week sessions,… read more
Adventures and activities including canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, water skiing, arts and crafts, pottery, archery, riflery, and more. 1-3 week sessions, June-August. Ages 5-16.
PARI Learning Center, Rosman
Kids can explore the universe and beyond at this 200-acre historic campus in Pisgah Forest. Offering campers an out-of-the-world experience, the camp will focus on astronomy and planetary subjects… read more
Kids can explore the universe and beyond at this 200-acre historic campus in Pisgah Forest. Offering campers an out-of-the-world experience, the camp will focus on astronomy and planetary subjects like astrobiology. See a radio telescope and have fun with activities like building and launching model rockets. 6th-12th graders. 2-3 week sessions June-August.
Ridge Haven, Brevard
With access to hundreds of acres of trails, streams, and views, this Christian camp offers wilderness activities, lake activities, rope and obstacle courses, swimming, archery, games, and more. 5-… read more
With access to hundreds of acres of trails, streams, and views, this Christian camp offers wilderness activities, lake activities, rope and obstacle courses, swimming, archery, games, and more. 5-day camp sessions: May-August. Rising 3-12 grades.
Camp Wayfarer, Flat Rock
Christian-based camp that includes creative arts, horseback riding, swimming, sports, archery, and wilderness adventures. Sessions range from 5-day to 4 weeks with mini sessions for grades 1-6 and… read more
Christian-based camp that includes creative arts, horseback riding, swimming, sports, archery, and wilderness adventures. Sessions range from 5-day to 4 weeks with mini sessions for grades 1-6 and even an expedition out west for 8-11 graders. Ages 6-16.
Camp Kanuga, Hendersonville
This inclusive Christian camp by Kanuga Lake offers adventure activities, sports, horseback riding, crafts, talent shows, overnight campouts, and more. 4-21 Day sessions, June-August. Ages 7-17.… read more
This inclusive Christian camp by Kanuga Lake offers adventure activities, sports, horseback riding, crafts, talent shows, overnight campouts, and more. 4-21 Day sessions, June-August. Ages 7-17.
COMPASS at Montreat College, Black Mountain
Choose among summer immersion programs in Cybersecurity, Exercise Science, Herpetology, Audio Production, Business Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing, Criminal Justice, Theatre, and Outdoor… read more
Choose among summer immersion programs in Cybersecurity, Exercise Science, Herpetology, Audio Production, Business Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing, Criminal Justice, Theatre, and Outdoor Education. Grades 9-12.
Camp Pinnacle, Flat Rock
This overnight summer camp offers swimming, boating, riflery, archery, tennis, disc golf, game room, crafts, drama, yoga, painting, nature program, field sports, and more. 2 to 5-week sessions,… read more
This overnight summer camp offers swimming, boating, riflery, archery, tennis, disc golf, game room, crafts, drama, yoga, painting, nature program, field sports, and more. 2 to 5-week sessions, June - August. Ages 7-15.
Helpful Tips for Overnight Summer Camps
- Plan ahead! Camps fill up quickly. Overnight summer camp registration can begin as early as December for some camps.
- Many summer camps in WNC offer scholarships to help local children attend regardless of financial means. Be sure to ask camps about scholarships.
- Looking for full and half-day summer camps? See our WNC Full & Half-Day Summer Camps Guide.
- For more kid-friendly adventures, see our Kid-Friendly Hikes, Waterfalls, and Family-Friendly Hotels & Lodging.
- Are we missing a great overnight summer camp? Email us
See more pages from our Family Guide:
Kid-Friendly Hikes | Waterfalls for Kids | Biltmore for Kids | Family-Friendly Hotels & Lodging | Top 20 Indoor Activities for Kids | Hands-On Learning & Children's Museums | Kids in Parks | 20 Family Dates in WNC | Places for Kid's Birthday Parties| Overnight Summer Camps in WNC | Day & Half-Day Summer Camps in WNC | Kid-Friendly Restaurants | Family Date Ideas
