Located high atop the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwest North Carolina, YMCA Camp Cheerio is the ideal place for persons of all ages to enjoy a camping or retreat experience. Camp Cheerio offers many challenging programs, from summer resident (sleepover) and coed adventure camps. With over 20 activities to choose from there is something for everyone.
Founded in 1960 by the YMCA of High Point, North Carolina, Camp Cheerio seeks to provide campers with a sustained, creative, and educational experience in the out-of-doors. Through the use of natural surroundings, and under the Christian guidance of trained leadership, YMCA camping seeks to help campers achieve their fullest potential in terms of mental development, physical well-being, social growth, and spiritual awareness.
Traditional Camp: ages 7-15 (girls' and coed sessions); Adventure Camp: ages 10-17 (coed only)

Camp Broadstone's Summer Enrichment Programs for Academically Gifted Youth provide children an opportunity to explore a blend of enrichment classes and adventure programs that are designed to encourage and foster intellectual, social, and physical growth. This type of programming offers campers a broad range of social participation, group responsibility and individual decision making opportunities. Broadstone offers three program options: two-week resident camp, one-week resident camp, and a week-long day camp. Older campers participate in a four day out-of-camp advanced program that blends adventure activities with historical, cultural, and environmental activities. Day campers participate in enrichment classes, adventure activities, and field trips to local sites and events that will enhance the week-long program. All programs are designed for current 4th - 9th graders who qualify as academically gifted under one of these categories: 1 ) Children who are performing at a level that is two years above their current grade level in math and/or language arts. This can be verified by achievement test scores in the 90th or higher percentile range in math or language arts. End of grade/course testing is acceptable. 2) IQ of 120 or higher on a standardized intelligence test. Camp Broadstone is proud to be part of Appalachian State University.

We offer a variety of programs at Talisman which all are designed to encourage development in the following areas: social skills, self-regulation, decision-making, communication and building a more positive self-image.

BASE CAMP is for boys and girls ages 9-13 with ADHD and similar social needs. Activities provide a fun and structured environment in which campers develop self-esteem, trust in self and others, and the basics of good decision making. Activities include day hikes, five day backpacking trip, white water rafting, rock climbing, high ropes course, tree climbing, and swimming. Staff to camper ratio is 1 to 2.5, which ensures that each camper recives the attention they deserve.

Our Discovery camps offer an introduction to base camp for younger campers (8-11) in a one-week session.

ACADEMICS adds experiential academics to the summer camp environment.

Our Teen Adventure Programs teach participants ages 14-17 how to make mature and responsible decisions as they learn to navigate life.

TREK participants learn how to work together as they plan and carry out a 14-day backpacking trip on the Applachian trail. TREK also experiences the Alpine Tower, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting.

In TOBA (Talisman Open Boat Adventures), tandem canoeing provides a medium in which participants must maintain clear, effective, and supportive communication. They learn whitewater paddling skills on several of the greatest rivers and lakes in the Southeast.

TRIADVENTURES combines backpacking, paddling, and rock climbing to practice and refine leadership skills.

SIGHT Program is especially for children and adolescents (9-15) with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome. Activities promote social skills, communication building, and independent living skills. A structured and comfortable atmosphere encourages participants to feel secure and accepted in thier environment, which in turn allows students to learn and have fun.

INSIGHT is a one or two week long session designed for teens (14-17) with Asperger's syndrome to increase self-esteem and work on leadership skills.

INSIGHT YOUNG ADULT is a 4-week session for 18-22 year olds with Asperger's Syndrome.

We also have satellite programs in Washington state for 14-17 year olds. Activities include Trek, Sailing, or Kayaking.

Join Adventure Treks for two, three and four week Adventures for young adults ages 13 - 18 in the amazing scenery of the North American West. How many teenagers get to Climb Mount Saint Helens, sea kayak with seals, rock climb famous cliffs, or raft big northwestern whitewater? Join students from all over the country and the world. Discover fun, friendships, adventure, community and growth. Program features a 1:4 instructor to student ratio. contact us today for a 2008 brochure and DVD.

“I tell parents they won’t believe their good fortune to have stumbled upon such a wholesome organization, with fabulous instructors, who use fun and adventure to tap into a facet of your child’s character, endurance, or personality that had never before found expression.”
F.D. Fields, parent from Pittsburg, PA

Summer at Merri-Mac is packed with new opportunities - fun activities, new skills, and great trips. Even more important, a summer with us is filled with meaningful friendships, personal growth, and individual attention. It is impossible to put into words all that Merri-Mac says or does each summer for its campers. Finally, Merri-Mac is a Christian girls summer camp. We begin each day with a short non-denominational service in our Chapel by the lake. This is a fun time with loud singing and a short message from the Bible. Girls come to camp to have fun. We believe the happiest environment is one in which Jesus Christ's closeness and love for them are demonstrated by the staff and felt by all.

The Green River Preserve is for the bright, curious, and creative. Our home is a magnificent 3,400 acre private wildlife preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Brevard, North Carolina. Our unique natural science-oriented summer camp for rising 2nd through 12th grades. A co-ed program with one, two, and three week sessions, the Green River Preserve is small by design with a camper to staff ratio of 3 to 1. Through wilderness skills, creative arts and the exhilaration of outdoor fun and discovery, we inspire young minds. The mission of the Preserve is to provide a challenging and nurturing learning experience and to inspire a profound appreciation of interconnectedness, ecological respect and the joy of living.

SOAR staff lead expeditions in North Carolina, Florida Keys, Wyoming, California, and Costa Rica.

Youth build self-confidence, develop social skills, work on leadership and communication skills, while enjoying the many challenges of our wilderness areas.

Adventure activities include wilderness backpacking, horsepacking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, wildlife studies, mountaineering, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking and wilderness medicine. Summer expeditions range from two to four weeks in length. Shorter adventures of three to seven days are planned for the spring, fall and winter. Semester-length courses are available in the spring and fall.

The student to staff ratio is low.

Broadreach and Academic Treks offer experiential summer adventures for teenagers ages 13–18, including scuba, sailing, marine biology, language immersion, community service and wilderness programs that span the globe. We’ve taken thousands of teenagers to some of the world’s most incredible destinations — the islands of the Caribbean, Australia, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Canada, Central and South America, South Africa, the Sinai Peninsula and France. Our multi-activity adventures offer a wide variety of pursuits including scuba diving, sailing, surfing, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting, backcountry hiking, camel trekking, whale and dolphin studies, and community service. Academic Treks students earn college credit and up to 55 hours in community service. Trips are 15 to 30 days in length in June, July, and August.

Broadreach’s educational adventures provide opportunities for teenagers to learn new skills and explore the world in an active, hands-on environment that fully immerses the participant in the experience. Each trip has its own blend of discoveries and challenges, designed to take advantage of the unique character and opportunities of the regions we visit. Combining the thrill of discovery, the pride of accomplishment and the excitement of exploration, Broadreach programs focus on individual initiative, group dynamics and genuine participation in the world.

Broadreach is not a teen tour or traditional summer camp. We don’t travel in buses, large groups or flotillas of sailboats. The cornerstone of our program design and philosophy is our small group size of just 10–14 participants. Living in a small group promotes teamwork, leadership, compromise and consideration, teaching important lessons applicable to life that will last long after the program is over. Opportunities are created not only by our course design, but by the group itself. Staff and students come together as a team to make the adventure happen. Our staff gives participants individual attention and helps to shape the trip around the goals and abilities of the group. In a small group, you can relax and be yourself. The supportive, non-competitive atmosphere created allows participants to appreciate others for who they are and make close friendships with people who have diverse interests and backgrounds.

Broadreachers do things they never thought they would do, see places they never thought they would see and explore our world on a level they never could with their family or on their own. We have programs for most abilities and interests and no experience is required for many of our trips. Just come with a desire to try new things and broaden your experiences.

Keyauwee Program Center is a 350-acre summer camp that comes complete with lakes for boating and fishing, hiking trails, Olympic-sized swimming pool, craft house, equestrian program with a covered arena, high and low challenge courses, archery, sports court, climbing wall, trips that go white water rafting, backpacking, climbing, horseback riding in the mountains, an air conditioned dining facility and much, much more!

Keyauwee is owned and operated by the Girl Scouts Tarheel Triad Council, located in central NC. We are just 20 minutes south of High Point.

TRADITIONAL MOUNTAINEER
One and two week sessions that take full advantage of our Blue Ridge Mountain setting to provide memorable camping experiences to young people ages 7 to 15 years old.

Begin the day with morning activities such as aquatics, outdoor adventures (horseback riding, rock climbing, adventure biking, wilderness skills, etc.), sports, arts and crafts, or self-expression through drama or dance. Afternoons provide the opportunity for cabin groups to enjoy the amazing wilderness site that is Camp Greenville. Counselors plan a range of activities that feature fun and adventure while helping the cabin become a close-knit unit.

ADVENTURE
Explore the wonders of our mountains. Adventure combines the fun of our Traditional Mountaineer camping program with a special taste of challenge for more adventurous souls. Participants spend time in camp and head out for some remarkable adventure activities in the surrounding areas.

Adventure selections might include backpacking, mountain biking, rock climbing, caving, fly-fishing, whitewater rafting, whitewater rafting, whitewater canoeing, or a canoe expedition on Lake Jocassee.

OUTBACK-
Take a group of teens, throw in some adventure challenge activities, some team building, a healthy taste of self sufficiency, and a bit of service to create what other Outbackers have called a "family of friends."

More than half the Outback experience occurs in the wilderness surrounding Camp Greenville. Campers have the opportunity to cultivate outdoor skills, plan their own trips, and develop leadership skills with the guidance of experienced wilderness leaders.

TRAIL BLAZER
Participate in multi-day travel expeditions. Locations for 2005 include hiking the Appalachian Trail, Monk's Ultimate Adventure, California Cruizin', and a trip to Spain.


Camp Greenville's facilities include two lakes, three high ropes courses, climbing/bouldering gym, gymnasium, airnasium, athletics field, target sports, equestrian facilities, tennis courts and many miles of trails.

Set along our very own sparkling clear trout stream, Arrowhead has 217 acres of beautiful woodlands, waterfalls, streams, meadows and trails for boys to explore, camp and ride. We also take advantage of over 2 million acres of nearby mountain forests and rivers of National Forest and Park lands.

Boys live in cabins with others their age and our exceptional counselors. Many of our counselors are former campers and all are carefully selected to work with your camper. Staff are college students, teachers and professionals from all over the United States and are at least 19 years old. Their friendship, guidance and personal interest in each boy ensures a safe, fun and instructive stay at camp.

We have a camper to staff ratio approaching 3 to 1, one of the best in the entire camping industry. This ratio, combined with our small size, allows us to customize the camp experience ideal for your son.

At Gwynn Valley Camp we strive to create a sense of community for the younger child in a structured and safe environment away from the daily concerns of modern society. Children are free to develop at their own pace and are never without supervision. Competition is minimized so that individual, creative expression is maximized.

The camp property is 320 acres, mostly wooded, with a lake, swimming pool and several streams. Camp also leases an additional 75 acres which borders the French Broad River and is an excellent exploration site and used for a variety of activities. With a working farm and grist mill, the children are involved in the raising and preparing of their own food in addition to many other group and individual experiential activities that appropriately challenge children based on their ages. Gwynn Valley Camp is an educational experience of lasting value to your child.

We have a large, diverse staff which is chosen on the basis of individual maturity, experience, skill, and a desire to work with children. An international flavor is added by the presence of counselors from many parts of the world. Our overall camper/staff ratio is 4:1. We have a medical team on site which consists of a physician and two nurses.

We are accredited by The American Camping Association.

Oak Ridge Military Academy offers one six week Summer Academic Camp for young men and women in grades 6 - 12, and two, three week Leadership Adventure camps for young men and women ages 10 -18. We offer three boarding options for our Summer Programs; 7 day boarding, 5 day baording, and day campers. We have exciting weekend activities and trips planned for our 7 day boarding campers. Additional activities include skydiving and SCUBA Diving.
Our first session of Leadership Adventure Camp begins on 18 June 2005 and ends on 8 July 2005. The second session runs from 10 - 30 July 2005. Summer Academic Camp begins on 18 June 2005 and graduates on 30 July 2005.
The Summer Academic Campers will be in class for four hours, followed by lunch. After lunch there will be a mandatory two hour study hall. For the remainder of the day and early evening the Summer Academic Campers will be taking part in the same outdoor activities as the Leadership Adventure Campers.
Leadership Adventure Campers will spend the majority of the day outside participating in fun and challenging activities such as paintball, Rappelling, Archery, Marksmanship Training, Running the Obstacle Course, Swimming, and several other activities. All Leadership Adventure Campers will be rotated through several leadership positions throughout the camp so they can get some leadership experience.
All of this fun, learning and adventure takes place under adult supervision in a safe, structured environment.

At North Carolina Outward Bound, you won't just run a class III whitewater rapid, summit a snow-covered peak or paddle a sea kayak. You'll learn how to read the river or to navigate the waters using a chart and compass.


You'll learn wilderness travel skills, participate in increasingly challenging activities and become part of a team committed to discovery and responsible risk-taking. As your group becomes competent in technical outdoor skills, instructors turn the responsibility over to you and your crew. You may captain a boat, lead an ascent or navigate your group through difficult terrain.


You'll replenish your body, mind and spirit, exploring remote wilderness landscapes. Out here, there are no cell phones, no computers, no television - no distractions from really getting to know yourself and your crewmates. Absorb every element of your experience %96 the feel of your muscles at the end of a long day, the satisfaction of overcoming an obstacle, the knowledge of new skills.


Imagine waking with the sunrise, bathing in the ocean or drinking from a cool mountain stream. Out here, nature becomes something other than what's outside your door. It's your home and your companion 24/7. You'll live a simple, low-impact lifestyle, learning the effects of human activities in the wilderness. Instruction in Leave No Trace, natural history and ecosystem preservation helps you make environmentally responsible choices on course and in your daily life as you care for and protect the earth's fragile resources.


You'll also gain an opportunity to reflect - alone and as a group - on accomplishments and setbacks. As part of a team of six to 12 students, you support each other in course activities, share moments of hilarity, inspiration and struggle, and develop friendships. Led by two Outward Bound instructors, you establish goals that call for leadership, group decision-making, organization and a unified effort.


Throughout the course, you cultivate compassion by growing through new experiences with others who often have different perspectives than yours. An ethic of service to each other, the local community and the environment is built through working as a team and shared participation in service projects.


Above all, with North Carolina Outward Bound, you'll explore a world of possibilities and live bigger.

Holston Presbytery Camp

DISCOVER CAMP, April 18 - 20
A weekend program in Banner Elk, NC designed for first-time campers and their families. Children in first through fifth grades, their siblings, and their parents are invited. Lodging in cabins and meals are provided. Activities included games, hiking, campfires, and more. Call 828-898-6611, or visit our website. Cost: $100/person.

RESIDENTIAL CAMP, June and July
Adventure, Rustic, and Traditional camp programs for ages 8 – 17 in Banner Elk, NC! This co-ed camp offers 6 day sessions in June and July. Choose lodging at the time of registration - cabin or campsite. Eat in our dining hall, or prepare meals over a fire. Cost ranges from $370 - $515. Bring a friend with you!

Enjoy our cool weather and mountains with caring staff, friends, and new adventures! Sample activities such as swimming, crafts, mountain sliding, climbing walls, games, evening devotion, and more! Older groups may select adventures like rock climbing, caving, canoeing, hiking, and backpacking. Call 828-898-6611, or visit our website.

Our Philosophy, at E.A.R.T.H. Summer Camp, is to provide each young person with a wonderful experience of living close to nature. We give children the chance to learn ancient skills, increase self-esteem, make new friends, while simultaneously allowing campers to make choices and learn greater responsibility.We rely on Native American living skills, unique arts and crafts, the joy of discovery, and outdoor living to inspire the young people who visit E.A.R.T.H. Camp. Our summer programs provide young people with a fun-filled, intellectually stimulating, physically challenging experience.