Asheville Parks & Recreation summer camps offer weeks of fun for kids and teens

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Registration opens on March 3 at 6pm on www.AVLREC.com.

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 3, 2025, 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 | Therapeutic | Camps by Week


 Traditional Day Camps

  • Dates: June 9-August 15 (no camp on June 19, July 4, or July 18)young people sitting on beach towels on sidewalk eating fruit
  • Hours: 8:30am-6pm
  • Fee (per week): $60 for City of Asheville resident ($70 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.


Outdoor Camps

  • Registration for each week must be done individually.young people in life vests along the bank of a river
  • 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 16-18

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. 

  • Ages: 6-8 years-old
  • Fee: $120 (includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation; campers must bring lunch and water bottle or drink each day) 
  • Hours: 9am-5pm, camp meets at Weaver Park
  • Registration link

Venture Bound, June 23-28 and July 28-August 1

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.

  • Ages: 8-12 years-old
  • Fee: $220 (includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation to camp activities; campers must bring lunch and water bottle or drink each day)
  • Hours: 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday, camp meets at Malvern Hills Park
  • Itinerary is the same for both sessions, campers may only register for one session
  • Registration link

Teenventure, July 14-17

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.

  • Ages: 12-15 years-old
  • Fee: $180 (includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation; campers must bring lunch and water bottle or drink each day)
  • Hours: 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday, camp meets at Malvern Hills Park
  • Registration link

Athletics and Sports Camps

  • Registration for each week must be done individually.
  • Financial assistance available (more info on eligibility)
  • Contact individual camp leaders with any questions.

Ultimate Sports, June 16-20 (no camp on June 19)

A week of basketball, kickball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, pickleball, and more for both athletes and nonathletes.

  • Ages: 12-15 years-old
  • Fee: $60 (includes all equipment and instruction; campers must bring lunch and water bottle or drink each day)
  • Hours: 9am-5pm at Asheville Middle School
  • Contact: Jay Houston, jhouston@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 259-5611
  • Registration link

Golf, June 23-27young boy and girl holding golf clubs

Golf camp teaches the basics of the sport from scoring, swings, and more. Campers travel to prestigious golf courses around western North Carolina to learn about this beautiful game. Clubs are provided to those who need them, but campers may also bring their own.

Pickleball, June 30-July 3

Serve up some fun! Kids of all skill levels learn the basics, improve hand-eye coordination, and make new friends while playing exciting games on the court.

Olympics Redux, July 7-11

Back by popular demand! Continue to celebrate the spirit of the 2024 Summer Olympics with an exciting camp that focuses on a different Olympic sport each day such as track and field, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and more.

  • Ages: 8-12 years-old
  • Fee: $25 (includes all equipment and instruction; campers must bring lunch and water bottle or drink each day)
  • Hours: 9am-5pm at Asheville Middle School
  • Contact: Colt Miller, cmiller@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 707-2376
  • Registration link

Disc Sports, July 21-25

Experience three different disc sports in just one week: disc golf, ultimate frisbee, and freestyle. Campers can even put new skills to work with brand new sports like fricket! 

  • Ages: 8-12 years-old
  • Fee: $60 (includes all equipment and instruction; campers must bring snack and water bottle or drink each day)
  • Hours: 9am-5pm at Asheville Middle School
  • Contact: Colt Miller, cmiller@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 707-2376
  • Registration link

 


Specialty Camps

Tabletop Gaming, August 4-8

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.

  • Ages: Rising 5th-8th graders
  • Fee: $60 for City of Asheville resident ($70 for nonresident), siblings receive a $10 discount
  • Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Registration link

Youth Mindfulness, August 11-15young african american girl stacking blocks

Designed for those who strive for more low-energy activities with a connection to nature and mindfulness, this camp explores playing, working as a team, giving back to others, and enjoying nature and the arts as tools of mindfulness and fun during. Perfect for the child who would rather read a book than play in the gym.

  • Ages: Rising 5th-8th graders
  • Fee: $60 for City of Asheville resident ($70 for nonresident), siblings receive a $10 discount
  • Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Registration link

Therapeutic 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. therapeutic recreation participants sitting under a tree

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.

  • Dates: June 11-August 15 (no camp on June 19, July 4, or July 18)
  • Hours: 9am-5pm
  • Ages: 6-18 years-old or high school graduation
  • Fee (per week): $60 for City of Asheville resident ($70 for nonresident), siblings receive a $10 discount
  • Financial assistance available (more info on eligibility)
  • Daily lunch and snacks included with registration.
  • Registration for each week must be done individually.
  • Location: Murphy-Oakley Community Center
  • Contact: Lori Long, llong@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 232-4529
  • Registration link

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 9-13

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

Week 2 – June 16-20 (no camp June 19)

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

Week 3 – June 23-27

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoor: Venture Bound
  • Sports: Golf

Week 4 – June 30-July 3 (no camp July 4)

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

Week 5 – July 7-11

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Sports: Olympics Redux

Week 6 – July 14-17 (no camp July 18)

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoor: Teenventure

Week 7 – July 21-25

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

Week 8 – July 28-August 1

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoor: Venture Bound

Week 9 – August 4-8

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Specialty: Tabletop Gaming

Week 10 – August 11-15

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Specialty: Youth Mindfulness

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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