Top Sports Summer Camps and Summer Sports Programs for Kids & Teens in North Carolina

The Best North Carolina Sports Summer Camps | Summer 2025 Directory of  Summer Sports Camps for Kids & Teens
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Camp Highlander
Horse Shoe, North Carolina

Visit Our Camp Highlander Website
828-891-7721
email[AT]camphighlander.com
42 Dalton Road
Horse Shoe, North Carolina 28742

CAMP VIDEO LINK:
Watch Our Camp Highlander Video

CAMPER AGES: 6-16

TYPE OF CAMP: Overnight/Sleepaway.

CAMPER GENDER(S): Coed Campers.

AFFILIATION(S): Jewish. Christian.

We are NOT religiously affiliated but encourage each child to embrace and grow in the faith of their home.

BRIEF CAMP DESCRIPTION: Camp Highlander is a residential summer camp in Mills River, North Carolina, devoted to the growing and nurturing of boys and girls, ages 6-16, in a safe, fun-filled, and electronics-free environment. Since 1957, we have partnered with parents and families to build character and confidence in the lives of children as we provide lifelong memories, authentic friendships, and a camp family to come home to year after year.

CAMP INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED:
Basketball, Weightloss, Soccer, Golf, Gymnastics, Horses/Equestrian, Swimming, Tennis, Waterfront/Aquatics, Volleyball, Team Sports, Wilderness/Nature, Dance, Theater, Fine Arts/Crafts, Video/Filmmaking/Photography, and more.

CAMP LOCATION: Camp Highlander is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. We are 10 minutes from the Asheville airport and 25 minutes from downtown Asheville.

Camp Highlander sits on 240 acres of pristine North Carolina wilderness next to the Mills River. Pisgah National Forest joins our campus just over Old Forge Mountain.

CAMP FACILITIES: Camp Highlander first opened its gates in 1957 and we’ve never looked back. That’s over six decades worth of life-changing summers! We have 34 beautiful cabins sprinkled out across Old Forge Mountain. The cabins are located in defined girls camp and boys camp areas of camp. Each cabin is equipped with two sinks, two toilets and two showers.

From opening day to final farewells, our campers enjoy so many exciting activities with their cabin unit that it’s hard for them to choose a favorite. Whether they are playing soccer on the land sports field, conquering the climbing wall, tubing down the Mills River, trying their hand at flint-knapping, or performing on stage during Highlander’s famous Evening Programs, our campers learn to accomplish their goals, discover new talents and, perhaps most importantly, work as a team – all while exploring the spectacular mountains of Western North Carolina.

As a cabin unit, campers participate in many adventures together both on and off-camp. Our cabin unit structure helps each camper feel comfortable enough to step outside their comfort zone and try new things. With their cabin mates and counselors by their side every step of the way, campers meet each challenge and triumph with unbridled encouragement, support and love. Our goal is that each camper would discover just how courageous they can be while enjoying a journey filled with personal achievements and unforgettable memories.

Activities Include:

Day Hikes
Backpacking
Climbing
High Ropes Course
Canoeing
Kayaking
Rafting
Low Ropes & Team Building
Wilderness Education
Archery
Basketball
Camp FIT
Land Sports
Riflery
Soccer
Tennis
Volleyball
Lacrosse
Yoga
Mountain Biking
Lifeguards
Art Department
Arts & Crafts
Drama
Cooking
Flint Knapping
Sculpture (ceramics & more)
Studio (paint, draw & more)
Woodworking

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: At Camp Highlander, we believe God has instilled in each one of us a desire to love and be loved. This is the motivation behind our mission — we love because God first loved us.

Through this love, we seek to build boys and girls of courage, honesty, integrity and faith, and to help them become all that God intends them to be. In all we do, from the social structure of camp to our programming, from opening day to closing day, we seek to uphold, promote, teach and exemplify these four core values.

Courage: Dare to be Brave
Courage is found within you and is realized through the support and love of those around you. Dare to be brave. Try new things. Stand by your friends.

Honesty: Speak Truth in Love
Be yourself. Honesty builds trust. Trust is the foundation of our family. Be kind to others; honesty is shown in our actions, not just our words. Speak truth in love to your neighbor.

Integrity: Respect Yourself, Others and Nature
Be strong. Integrity builds confidence. Lead by example. Win with integrity. Lose with integrity. Live a life of moral conviction, worthy of modeling.

Faith: Seek Truth and Believe
Never stop dreaming. Faith is the ability to receive, find and make meaning in our lives. Faith is being certain of what is not seen and sure of what we hope for.

Parents can choose an 8 day experience (Kick Off Camp), 13 days (Sessions A or B) or 16 days (Session C). We also have Family Camp options to help children acclimate to the idea of camp.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The purpose of the Camp Highlander’s Counselor in Training and Leadership Program is to provide an enriching experience for teens, while enabling them to maximize their individual potential to transform into dynamic leaders, capable of making a positive difference in the world!

Camp Highlander’s Counselor in Training and Leadership Program instills the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful servant-leaders, adults, and model citizens.

At Camp Highlander our staff lead, love and serve. Our CIT and Leadership Program is designed to facilitate the transition from camper to staff while equipping the CITS to join the incredible Highlander team one day. This leadership program will not only prepare them for the counselor role, but give them valuable life skills and leadership techniques for college, careers and future workforce. These skills include:

Communication
Creativity
Motivation
Positivity
Feedback
Our goal is for graduates of this program to be committed, hard-working, servant-hearted individuals. We accomplish this by guiding teens through a program filled with service, training, team building and FUN.

B SESSION
CIT’s will have leadership training, participate in service opportunities while also enjoying on and off-camp activities.

C SESSION
The CIT class will continue their leadership training and service while shadowing the Camp Highlander Staff. CIT’s will join our cabins and learn the in’s and out’s of CH staff roles and responsibilities and enjoy playing with campers at all our amazing activities. In addition, CITs will have the opportunity to participate in Color War competitions and coaching.

Why Apply for the CIT & Leadership Program?
Personal growth
Leadership development
Life Skill Building
Unforgettable Memories
Life-long Friendships
150 Community Service Hours and FUN!

ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility is based on grade and previous enrollment as a camper at Camp Highlander. All candidates must have completed their junior year of high school.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Camp Highlander wants every child to have the opportunity to attend summer camp. The Highlander Scholarship program seeks to provide partial tuition assistance to a select number of campers based on family financial need and camper qualifications.

If you would like to apply for a Camp Highlander scholarship, please complete the following application. A copy of the family tax return and a recent picture of your camper must also be included with the application form to be considered. The applicant must also submit a short essay on “how I will embrace this opportunity and the Camp Highlander community".

Our Camp Website Link: docs.google.com

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): Family Camp - Our Camp Website Link: www.camphighlander.com
Leave your cell phone behind, take a break from the rush and responsibilities of life, and discover the joys of a fun-filled family getaway in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina!

Family Camp is an opportunity for you and your family to experience the magic and wonder of Camp Highlander. Your family will enjoy a private cabin with a private bathroom, three meals served daily at your family table in the dining hall, exciting activities each day and a variety of evening programs to create memories for a lifetime. Your children will have a blast, you will feel like a kid again, and your entire family will enjoy a unique and relaxing vacation!

Father–Son Weekend
The relationship between a father and a son is unlike any other. Dads have a God-given role to protect and provide for their families, and to teach their sons the life skills necessary to grow into honorable men.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to share a fun, action-packed weekend with your son in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. With incredible activities like riflery, kayaking and rock climbing you will share teachable, bonding moments with your son that will positively impact his life and forever strengthen your relationship.

Mother–Daughter Weekend
Every daughter needs quality time with her mother; time to talk, time to listen, time to bond. Leave behind the busyness of life, the pile of to-do lists and the various obligations that never seem to end, and invest in your relationship with your daughter.

Retreat to the mountains and show your little girl that she is the most important thing in your world. Enjoy amazing activities like canoeing, pottery and cooking. Grow closer together as you conquer the high ropes course, zip line and climbing wall. Witness your relationship blossom into something beautiful as you soak up every single minute of a memorable weekend spent together!

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Camp Highlander is open for weddings for certain weekends during the spring and fall. All summer months are dedicated to our overnight summer sessions.

To learn more about Camp Highlander Weddings, please visit:
Our Camp Website Link: www.campweddings.com

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Camp Highlander Dates & Rates
Our Camp Website Link: www.camphighlander.com

Kickoff Camp and Sessions A and B are limited to 130 boys and 130 girls, and Session C is limited to 140 boys and 140 girls. Additionally, Session C is only available for campers ages 8-16 (all other sessions are 6-16.) All 6 year old campers must have completed kindergarten. We suggest registering as soon as you make your final decision, as our sessions tend to fill quickly. Please call the camp office if we can help you in your decision process.

Kick Off Camp (8 Days)
GRADES K-8TH
Kick Off Camp is the perfect session for boys and girls who want to experience all that Highlander has to offer on camp our beautiful property! Our Kick Off Campers are immersed in camp life with the best of Camp Highlander activities, evening programs and traditions. And of course, Highlander Mudslide!

Session A (13 Days)
GRADES K through 16 years old
Session A is the first two-week session at Camp Highlander. This robust session allows boys and girls to participate in all of our on-camp activities, various off-camp trips, a cabin overnight and some of our most exciting evening programs!

Session B (13 Days)
GRADES K through 16 years old
Session B is identical to Session A in its programming and scheduling, but it also features our biggest party of the year … the Fourth of July! From our Stars & Stripes competition to our cookout on the field, we pull out all the stops to celebrate our nation’s birthday in spectacular fashion! We even conclude the festivities each year with our highly-anticipated annual fireworks show!

While off-camp activities such as whitewater rafting are limited during these mid-length sessions, A and B still provide the most incredible experiences for new campers and returning campers alike. Whether it’s your first taste of a multi-week session or you’re a seasoned veteran, our two-week sessions provide lifelong memories and friendships that will have you counting down the days until next summer!

Session C - (16 days)
8 years to 16 years old
Session C is our longest and most intense session of the summer. It offers two and one half weeks of activities including various off-camp adventures, cabin overnights and our most electrifying evening programs! The most exciting highlight of Session C for Boys and Girls Camp, however, is one of our oldest Camp Highlander traditions … Color War!

During the four-day, camp-wide competition that is Color War, all of camp (campers and counselors alike) is split between two teams to compete in a variety of events – from board games and dance routines to relay races and rope burning! With sporting events, educational events, arts events and more, every camper has a chance to participate, contribute and enjoy the fun!

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
Female and Male Cabin Counselors
At Camp Highlander, we pride ourselves on our family culture environment. The foundation of our family culture is our cabin unit in which 10 campers and two cabin counselors journey through each day at Highlander as a unit. Our cabin counselors foster this family environment by genuinely loving our campers, making personal sacrifices for them daily & ensuring that each camper feels they belong to the Highlander family.

We are looking for selfless, understanding and energetic individuals who are 18 years or older and have complete their senior year in High School and are interested in being a positive role model for our campers.

Activity Counselors
Our Activity Counselors are uniquely trained, certified and/or educated staff members in a particular activity area or discipline who have a passion for teaching & working with children. They enjoy sharing their knowledge & skills with our campers while helping them grow and develop their skills. Our activity counselors must show the same unconditional love & acceptance to our campers while allowing them to discover more about who they are through the various programs at camp. Activity Counselors must be 18 years or older, having completed their freshman year of college.

For more information please visit Our Camp Website Link: www.camphighlander.com or send an email to email[AT]camphighlander.com.


Go to The Best North Carolina Sports Camps Directory to Find More Summer Sports Camps Near Horse Shoe, North Carolina.


North Carolina Summer Sports Camps Offer Wide Range of Sports Programs & Summer Sports Activities

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For a complete List of North Carolina Special Interest Sports Summer Camps & Summer Sports Recreation Programs scroll down to the big black bar at the very bottom of this page.

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