I am happy that we live in an area that really does have an abundance of summer camp options available for kids of all ages and experience levels. But with more and more options added every year, it can create a lot of work for us parents. Researching who, what, where, and when and then working with multiple schedules, pickups, dropoffs, and planned vacations – it can be exhausting. 

I’ve heard multiple parents this year say they want to schedule a summer camp for their kids but when they started researching it was just too overwhelming. Which is totally understandable and relatable. 

But worry not parents, because I’ve got you covered! I’ve scoured the web, talked to all the in-the-know kids and parents, and have found the best camps in Asheville for your kids this summer. From day camps or drop-ins, outdoorsy and indoorsy, there are options for everyone to save you from hearing “I’m bored” all summer. 

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

Complete Guide to Asheville Summer Camps for Kids

1. Blue Ridge Tae Kwon Do

Blue Ridge Tae Kwon Do is a camp focused on teaching valuable life skills like building confidence, respect, and focus, all while having fun. Martial Arts and crafts are the pillars of this camp. Balance, games, painting, and drawing are other common activities.

Summer camp is open to ages 6-13 and is daily from 9:45am – 4:30pm at both their Asheville and Black Mountain locations.

2. Asheville Junior Theater 

If you have a creative child who is interested in dance, acting, or singing, then the Asheville Junior Theater summer program is for you! It’s a great way for kids to dip their toes into the world of musical theater. There are 2-day summer dance workshops, as well as multiple options for weekly plays with a short performance at the end of the week.

Each camp runs for a week, from 9:00am – 3:00pm, and each week is an opportunity to be involved in a new play. There is also a mini-play workshop with shorter time slots for kids aged 4-7.  

3. Mountain Roots Day Camp 

For parents located in South Asheville, Mountain Roots Day Camp in Fletcher could be a great option for your little K-5th grader. Intertwining outdoor play, nature, and community service with the arts, they aim to create an educational but fun camp experience. Camp runs from 9am – 4pm, and costs $295/week.  

4. Bricks 4 Kidz

A Lego building camp for ages 5-13 that focuses on engineering, architecture, animated movie making, and coding through hands-on building. Located at Groce United Methodist Church with full-day and half-day options and different themes each week.  

5. Growing Wild Forest School

Ages 3-6 can participate in this well-loved camp in West Asheville. This fully outdoors camp offers different week-long themes with classes running from 9:30am – 2:30pm. Space fills up quickly, so be sure to sign up fast or head on over to their waitlist. Tuition is $350/week.  

6. Asheville Sun Soo

Asheville Sun Soo has been voted #1 summer camp 14 years in a row! This martial arts-focused week-long summer camp is for grades K-5. On top of martial arts instruction, campers will also participate in hikes, crafting, outdoor play, science experiments, and lots of fun team-building activities. 

Camp is from 9am – 5pm, at $375/ week. Sun Soo also offers discounts for multiple-week participation.  

7. Asheville Youth Sailing

This sailing program takes place on Lake Julian and accommodates prospective sailors of most ages. With camps from 5-7 year olds, all the way up to Junior Sailors, aged 16. Camp times and days depend on which camp your child signs up for but most run Monday-Thursday.  

8. Osega

Osega is a facility that does more than just summer camps, but options for camps during most schools’ winter and spring breaks. OSEGA is known for its wide variety of programs and classes for ages from pre-k and up. Camps are based on fully scheduled rotations, so all camp weeks will include the same list of fun activities.

Ninja obstacle courses and trampoline time are usually a favorite with the kids. Ages 5+ have full-day camp classes starting at 8:30am and ending at 5pm and priced at $305/week.  

9. Zaniac Asheville

Zaniac Asheville is a STEM-centered camp that is filled with cutting edge tools to create projects and conduct experiments. Camps are themed differently each week and are grouped by age and grade. Full-day camps include morning and afternoon snacks, run from 8am-5pm, and cost $499. Half-day camps have the option for morning or afternoon classes and are $299/week. 

Zaniac offers monthly installment payment options and has opened up another location to facilitate even more fun summertime learning.  

10. Hickory Nut Gap

Hickory Nut Gap in Fairview is known for its regenerative farm. It also offers an immersive weekly summer camp! Camp runs from 9am – 4pm each day and campers will learn all about horseback riding, art, and pottery. The camp is geared for ages 6-12 but there is also a junior counselor program for ages 13-15. Each week of camp is $600 for campers and $500 for junior counselors.  

11. Full Moon Equestrian 

Full Moon Equsterian’s summer camp is every horse lover’s dream! Campers will discover the wonderful world of horses and farm life. Campers will enjoy daily riding, horse care lessons, guest speakers, horse-related crafts, nature hikes, games, and more – all during a week-long camp adventure! Camp runs from 9am – 3pm each day, and costs $485/week.

12. Asheville Racquet Club

For a fun sports-based camp, Asheville Racquet Club offers a great option. Members and non-members aged 5-14 are invited to hone their pickleball and tennis skills, as well as good old-fashioned swimming.  Campers have the option for half and full days.

While you do not need to be a member to attend camp, you’ll receive a discount if you are.  

13. YMCA

The YMCA has a huge variety of camps for all summer long and kids aged pre-k all the way up to teenagers will be entertained! The Adventure Camp for tweens and teens involves hiking, tubing, and swimming all over Western North Carolina. The Field trip camp is for young kids up to teens who love crafting, games, and of course, outdoor fun. 

Prices, times, and locations vary based on which camp you’re interested in. Be sure to call your local YMCA and inquire. Being a member isn’t required but will offer a discount for camps.  

14. Claying Around

Claying Around offers year-round drop-in classes a few times a month for a Parent’s Night Out. Since claseese are offered in the summer, I think it deserves to be on this list too. This is a fun activity for the older kiddos, ages 8-14, as kids can create pottery pieces to take home. 

Pizza and a drink are included in this 2.5-hour artistic class. Classes run $40/kid. Check out their Facebook for updates on dates. 

15. Wortham Center 

First through fifth grade campers are invited to participate in playing, exploring, and creating at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts. Half-day and full-day options are available in these week-long themed summer camps. Camps are high-energy, low-pressure, inviting kids of all experience levels to come have fun and make new friends. 

Half-day camps are 9am – 1pm at $205/week. And full-day camps are 9am – 3pm at $310/week.  Scholarships are also available on a limited basis.  

16. Firefly Valley Design Camp

This outdoor pottery-based summer camp is open to kids aged 5-16, with most campers aged 11 and up being helpers. Kids will get an opportunity to experience hand sculpting techniques as well as traditional wheel throwing. Kids get both one-on-one time and fun group activities. Aside from pottery, kids will also learn fruit carving, wood carving, fiber arts, and painting. 

Half and full day camps are available. Half days can be in the morning or afternoon, and cost $300/week, while full days cost $500.  

17. Asheville Music School

Asheville Music School summer camp might be the most encompassing of all ages on this list. Kids aged 4-18 of all experience levels are welcome to join to learn, enhance, or explore new instruments. Each week is themed, from Appalachian to Harry Potter, and allow different age groups in different weeks. Prices vary from $200-$275.  

18. WNC Nature Center

A camp that has been recommended to me time and time again is without a doubt the camp at the WNC Nature Center. Kids aged 7-10 will get the chance to learn all about the animals at the nature center with games, crafts, and lots of hands-on activities. 

Camp is $250/week and runs from 8:30am – 3:00pm with the option of aftercare if needed.  

19. AVL Parks and Rec

If you never thought of looking to the city for providing a wide variety of amazing camps, you’re missing out! Kids, tweens, and teens of all walks of life can surely find something that interests them in one of the many camps offered by APR. 

Outdoor camps get kids involved with geocaching, hiking, swimming, and kayaking. And sports camps offer football, basketball, and golf. They even have specialty camps like anime fan club, gaming, and mad scientist. 

Prices, times, and locations vary based on camp. But if you’re on a budget, check out their website for some of Asheville’s most affordable camp options this summer. 

20. AVL Farmstead School

This Cedarsong-accredited outdoor camp focuses on teaching children how to care for and love the Earth. Camp runs for six weekly sessions and takes kids from potty-trained age up to age 12 (although instructors will split the group with age in mind.) Campers will learn about gardening, farmsteading, animals, tye-dye, and much more. 

Camp is 9qm -3:30pm, and is $350/week with a discount for multiple children.  

21. Asheville Museum of Science  

The STEM-focused camp at AMOS is a way to get your child engaged with science while having a blast doing it. Campers will have the chance to explore their questions about the natural world, do some computer programming, and even chemistry. Field trips, hands-on learning, science experiments, and games are a few of the classes on the itinerary. 

Camp is 9am -3pm each day, with the option for daily drop-in. The cost for a full week is $375 and a single day is $85. Children aged kindergarten to 5th grade are welcome to participate.  

22. Forest Floor

Forest Floor is a paradise for your outdoorsy child! Camp offers a clean creek, acres upon acres of space to run and play, and attentive instructors with a curriculum based on hands-on play and creativity. Located near Shope Creek, campers are placed in groups based on age, starting at 6 and going up to age 12. 

Each week of camp has a theme – think Harry Potter, Star Wars, fairies, and other imaginative ideas There are special week-long programs for the older teens (12-17) focusing on skills like blacksmithing and knife making.

Camp for kids aged 6-12 is $360/week and runs from 9am – 3pm daily.  

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