Registration opens on on www.AVLREC.com at 6pm March 2, 2026

Get ready for a summer focused on positive teamwork, building independence, and fostering imagination and creativity! Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) summer camps offer 10 weeks of affordable fun for Asheville’s youngest adventurers, artists, nature lovers, gamers, athletes, scientists, and leaders-in-training. While summer camps are designed for rising 1st-9th graders, APR hosts open play and theme days for kids ages 1-6 at a variety of parks on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the summer with locations announced in May.

Are you an adventurer, artist, nature lover, gamer, athlete, or scientist who’s outgrown camp? APR is hiring summer team members to inspire campers. Check out current opportunities on the City of Asheville job board.

Make a Summer Camp Registration Plan

Online registration is available 24 hours/day beginning Monday, March 2, 2026, at 6pm. APR summer camps are very popular and fill up quickly, so be sure to set your alarm as registration is first-come, first-served. Registration for each week must be done individually.

For the easiest enrollment experience, create an account at www.AVLREC.com prior to registration and familiarize yourself with the experience. If you are not able to register online, please contact (828) 259-5800 or parks@ashevillenc.gov for assistance.

SOAR Financial Assistance Program

A community like Asheville should have barrier-free access to safe, quality programs for everyone who lives here. SOAR (Scholarships for Opportunities & Access to Recreation) may be available for youth and teen programs including summer camps. If your household receives free or reduced lunch, SNAP (formerly food stamps), housing choice vouchers including Section 8, Medicaid or medical assistance, SSI/SSDI/pension, or other public assistance, complete a Financial Assistance Application to see if you qualify.

Applications may take up to three weeks to process, so apply as early as possible to see if you qualify.

Traditional Day Camps | Outdoors | Sports | Specialty | Camps by Week

young people sitting on beach towels on sidewalk eating fruitTraditional Day Camps

  • Dates: June 8-August 14 (no camp on June 19)
  • Hours: 8:30am-6pm
  • Fee (per week): $70 for City of Asheville resident ($80 for nonresident), siblings receive a $10 discount
  • Financial assistance available (more info on eligibility)
  • Daily lunch and snacks included with registration fee
  • Registration for each week must be done individually
  • Contact individual locations with any questions

Youth camps for rising 1st-5th graders feature games, crafts, cultural arts, and field trips.

Teen camps offer a cool and enriching alternative for rising 6th-9th graders that include creative activities, diverse projects, field trips, and more.

young people in life vests along the bank of a riverOutdoor Camps

  • Registration fee includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation to program activities, but campers must bring lunch and water bottle each day
  • Registration for each camp must be done individually
  • Financial assistance available (more info on eligibility)
  • All outdoor activities are weather dependent. Activity location and the type of activity offered during camp may vary based on weather, water conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances. While every effort is made to offer comparable activities, refunds are not issued due to changes in activities. 
  • Contact Daniel Manget at dmanget@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 767-1576 with any questions

Nature Nuts, June 15-17

A three day camp focused on nature exploration and fun outdoors for our youngest campers!  Campers learn about nature, wildlife, and sustainability through fun games, hands-on activities, and interactive outdoor adventures. 

Venture Bound, June 22-26 and July 20-24

A five day camp with activities focused on outdoor exploration. Campers spend days outside learning the ways of nature, igniting a sense of adventure, and building character. Campers split into two groups for age-based activities: 8-10 and 10-12 years-old. For 10 year-olds, register in your preferred age group.

Teenventure, July 7-10

This four day camp is perfect for older campers who like to spend their summer enjoying the wonders of the Appalachian Mountains. Campers explore scenic trails, discover hidden waterfalls, and experience the thrill of whitewater around the region.

a teenage girl and a younger girl stand on wrestling mat in a gymAthletics and Sports Camps

  • Registration fee includes all materials and instruction, but campers must bring lunch and water bottle or drink each day
  • Registration for each camp must be done individually
  • Financial assistance available (more info on eligibility)
  • Contact individual camp leaders with any questions

Wrestling, June 8-10

A week to build a strong foundation of fundamental wrestling skills while promoting fitness, coordination, and character to help develop valuable skills and a lifelong love for physical activity. The camp concentrates on instruction, drilling, live wrestling, fitness challenges, games and more for the beginning to advanced wrestlers.

Ultimate Sports, June 15-18

Four days of basketball, kickball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, pickleball, and more for both athletes and nonathletes. Perfect for campers who strive with high energy activities and lots of running. 

three young boys sit at a table with magic markers and paper bookletsSpecialty Camps

  • Registration fee includes all materials and instruction, but campers must bring lunch and water bottle or drink each day
  • Registration for each camp must be done individually
  • Financial assistance available (more info on eligibility)
  • Contact Shana Kriewall at skriewall@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 350-2051 with any questions

Tabletop Gaming, June 22-26

Get ready to play strategy board games, competitive card games, cooperative puzzle games, and party games such as Settlers of Catan, Seven Wonders, Betrayal at the House on the Hill, Tiny Towns, King of Tokyo, Mysterium, Throw Throw Burrito, Pokémon, and more. Campers are also welcome to bring their own games, too!

Future Innovators, July 20-24

This unique camp offers group challenges, leadership tasks, STEM activities, mock trials, and community service for the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and creators, along with traditional camp activities like games, crafts, and more. The week also features visits from local leaders to inspire young minds and boost self-confidence, character, and decision-making.

therapeutic recreation participants sitting under a treeTherapeutic Recreation (TR)

To see if this camp is the right fit for your child, please read eligibility requirements below and contact Lori Long at llong@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 232-4529. Individuals enrolled in TR childcare programs during the past 12 months may register for this camp without an eligibility meeting. 

TR camps are designed for kids and teens with mild to moderate cognitive or developmental delays who may excel in a summer camp designed to support their unique needs. Daily activities include group games, arts and crafts, nature exploration, special events, and field trips.

Essential Eligibility Requirements (EEC)

Each participant must:

  • have the ability to follow program rules, communicate with others in a respectful manner, and respect the personal space of others.
  • maintain personal care needs independently or with the assistance of a companion, excluding program instructors (including administering medication, toileting, and feeding).
  • be able to understand basic communication.
  • demonstrate basic social skills (interact with peers).
  • be able to work in a group setting of 12-15 people.
  • not have a history of violence against themselves or others.

Note: LRT, CTRS is unable to provide one-on-one supervision. Participants that do not meet EEC may be able to participate if they attend with an aid or worker. Aids/workers are welcome at these programs at no additional charge.

Camps by Week

Week 1 – June 8-12

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Sports: Wrestling

Week 2 – June 15-18 (no camp June 19)

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoor: Nature Nuts
  • Sports: Ultimate Sports

Week 3 – June 22-26

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoor: Venture Bound
  • Specialty: Tabletop Gaming

Week 4 – June 29-July 3

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp

Week 5 – July 6-10

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoor: Teenventure (July 7-10)

Week 6 – July 13-17

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp

Week 7 – July 20-24

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoor: Venture Bound
  • Specialty: Future Innovators

Week 8 – July 27-31

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp

Week 9 – August 3-7

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  •  

Week 10 – August 10-14

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp

APR welcomes people of all abilities to our programs and believes in the value of inclusive play and recreation experiences for all members of the community regardless of level of ability. APR makes every effort to ensure inclusive opportunities in all program services including parks, facilities, programs, special events, and classes.

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