As a former camper and staff member of Camp Highlander there aren't enough wonderful words to…read moredescribe this camp. Highlander is a co-ed overnight summer camp in the hills of Mills River,NC devoted to children ages 5-16. Campers come back year after year, and all year long you hear stories of children who wish they were still at camp. The camp used to be owned by a school in south Florida, but now is owned by a wonderful family named the Alexanders. At camp you can go swimming, hiking, there's a ropes course, horse back riding, climbing wall, arts n crafts, pottery, rec room, campfires, swing dancing, talent shows, concerts, cookouts, basketball, soccer, drama classes, camping and so much more. Wednesdays and Saturdays campers get to choose their schedules, all other days campers remain in cabin groups where they meet friends and bond with others. Off camp trips include camping in the Pisgah National Forest, Sliding Rock, Coon Tree (a big rock you jump off of into the water), trips to Lake Keowee in South Carolina, white water rafting down the Nantahala River, theme parks, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, farmers markets, horse shows, and so much more. Schedules change every year and new events happen. There's a small lake on the property but they travel to larger lakes for water skiing and wakeboarding. The camp runs in 2 week, 3 week, 6 week and 9 week sessions. You can stay as little as 2 and as long as 6. Most of the staff members return each year and are dedicated to children on the mountain. The camp was even featured on the Disney Channel show Bug Juice which was filmed in the summer of 1999 and aired on tv in 2000.

Camp Highlander is amazing. There is no word that can describe a campers love for this mountain…read more The counselors treat you like a sister and I made so many new friends there. Everyone comes back year after year for more fun! I miss it so much :(

Camp Pinnacle is one awesome summer camp for kids ages 6-14. This was my home away from home for…read moremost of my childhood (now 30+ years ago) but it was so worth going. I was up at Pinnacle this past weekend for their annual Open House and Grand Revealing of their new Dining Hall. It was so breath taking to see all the great new improvements. I arrived and the staff welcomed me and provided some nice refreshments after driving. I was then able to walk the property again (had been around 7 years since I was last there) and was just amazed. The camp has a long great history and several famous historical people are on their alumni roster including the late General William Westmoreland. Consider checking out camp for your kids. It's a life changing event where they make real friends for life and not on a computer screen. The camp is an "unplugged" camp for the campers, so kids, leave your electronics at home and time to learn real friendships. I know I did and I was so thrilled to see a childhood friend this past weekend that I hadn't seen in 30+ years.

Camp Pinnacle exceeded our expectations. Son loved every aspect of camp, immersion into great…read moreenvironment with spectacular views and facilities, knowledgeable, fun staff, making long-lasting, coed friendships with young people from all over the world. There are many opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, backpacking, water sports, as well as traditional camp activities. Lots of time for creativity, singing, campfires, and good old-fashioned FUN! The food has been consistently another thing our boys rave about - good variety, healthy options, ample portions, and always fresh - served with a smile by Richard and his crew. No electronics; and no one minds, at all! We have seen such growth and confidence and increased love of the outdoors in both our sons as a result of their wonderful experiences at both Camp Pinnacle and their adventure / outdoor experience travel camp, Adventure Treks. The sense of community, shared responsibilities, and camaraderie... We've never had a moment's worry or lost a night of sleep while our kids have been at either Camp Pinnacle or backcountry with Adventure Treks. We can't thank you enough for your efforts, at all levels. From the logistics/planning/support team headquartered in NC to trip leaders, everything is seamless; we appreciate it! The Dockendorf Family, Dave McGlashan, Dmac, Amanda, Fayssoux et al - you are the BEST!

Incredible camp, wonderful for development for boys (and great father/son weekends too!)read more

We love Camp Carolina! My son is usually quiet and reserved. But when he comes home from Camp…read moreCarolina, I hear story after story about the friends he waits all year to see, the counselors, the practical jokes, the activities, and the interactions. His days there are packed with outdoor activities--refining the ones he's comfortable with and being brave enough to try new ones. He comes home pink-cheeked and enthusiastic. I can see his self confidence and independence grow in ways that it can't be nurtured at home. It's a sacrifice to our household to send him--we could all take a vacation together for the cost--but it's entirely worth it.

My daughter, now 11 just got back from her 6th year at TAW. She literally cried when I picked her…read moreup after her 3 week session knowing it would be another full year until she'd be able to return. The owner is an absolute doll, the director is fabulous and the atmosphere the counselors and staff create for the campers is like no other. We live two states away yet we still fly our daughter out to attend camp because there's nowhere else she'd rather be!!!!

Summer has arrived and my 11 year-old daughter Katherine is back for a 3rd year at Camp…read moreTon-A-Wandah. Not just a place, but a place in your heart, the staff and counselors are extremely knowledgeable and well trained. After all, the camp has been around since 1933. Two and three week camping packages, Kate has once again signed up for the 3 week program. Building friendships from past years, my daughter has kept in contact with several of her fellow campers and counselors. She looks forward to camp, but not the day her 7 year old sister joins her. Sort of personal, I'm of the belief that this is something Kate want to "do alone" without pesky parents or siblings around. The Camp Ton A Wandah summer program provides campers several dozen activities such as horseback riding, zip lining, fine arts and crafts, performing arts, dance, volleyball, basketball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, games, archery, riflery, rock climbing, high ropes, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, hiking, backpacking, field trips and much more. A tie to nature and a deep respect for the Native Americans who originally inhabited the Blue Ridge mountains are a Camp Ton-A-Wandah inspiration behind an alliance of the "three tribes - Cherokee, Navajo and Mohawk. Handed down from generation to generation, the three tribes are among the camps oldest and most revered traditions. Kate is proud to be a "Mohawk" at Ton-A-Wandah. Care packages and birthday parties are a plus. Parents can order "care packages" from several places in Hendersonville or plan a cabin "birthday party" for all to enjoy. Kate reports 5 stars for Camp Ton-A-Wandah. /s/ William E. Lewis Jr. Vero Beach, Florida

I attended Mondamin for two 8-week summers as a young teenager in the early 1980's, and it had a…read moreprofound impact on me. I arrived literally afraid of the water, having fallen into a pool as a child, but the staff somehow got me in that lake, taught me to swim, and enabled me to fall into love with sailing. I spent countless hours sailing that lake and found a love for the water that remains today. But there was so much more to Mondamin... the 5-day hikes in the national forest, where you learned to fend for yourself and have the courage to press on when you questioned if you should stop.... Or the rock climbing and repelling trips off some of the most beautiful mountains in the country... or the whitewater canoe trips on class 3-5 rapids... Or the archery and rifle range, where you could hone your skills.... But the evenings around the fire pit stand out, where achievement awards were granted to campers in the form of awards, painted on a canoe paddle, which every camper knew and respected. I look back as an older man today, and am appreciative of my opportunity to experience Mondamin, and glad to see it still able to leave a mark on the young men who attend.

I went to the camp during the summer of 1973, I was 14. I believe it was for 6 or 8 weeks. I carved…read moremy initials into the rafters above my bunk. If I am again in the area, I am going to ask to try and find them. I would highly recommend all parents to send their young boys, especially at 12 or older, to this experience.

Most amazing summer camp for girls out there! The women in my family have attended RBC for many…read moregenerations- cousins, aunts, grandmothers, myself, and now my daughters. I truly attribute my daughters' maturity, independence, and adventurous spirit to the many summers she's spent hiking-swimming-riding-canoeing-performing-and now serving her fellow Rockbrook girls. From waking up to the bell, to polar bear swims, hiking challenges, dressing up like super hero's, and dancing your heart out at the surprise dances. Each day is always filled with unexpected moments awaiting just around the corner. The food- oh don't get me started on the food! A top notch chef prepares locally sourced meals for every occasion. My daughters favorites are the made from scratch muffin breaks and taco nights with hand rolled tamales!!! They also love the homemade pizza! There's just something about waking up to the cardinals in the heart of the wooded mountain that for us feels like home. My youngest daughter will be a CIT next year. She's attended Rockbrook since she was 5years old. She has made lifelong friends and learned songs she will one day sing to her own children. Summer camp is a magical place, but there is no where else on earth like Rockbrook.

I went to Rockbrook camp for 6 years as a camper, and worked there for 4 years as a counselor. RBC…read moreis absolutely magical in every way. I can't say enough good things about the people, the facilities, and the beautiful sense of connection you experience here. Rockbrook welcomes every girl with open arms and gives her a home to return to every summer. From the camp songs to the spirit fire, the outdoor activities to the arts/theater offerings, there is literally everything a child could ever hope for and more! I miss RBC and go back for every reunion. When I have kids, I will definitely send them here. I highly recommend RBC to everyone I meet! P.S.- I see a really weird negative review on here that I'm 99% sure is fake because it couldn't farther from the truth! Take it from someone who spent a cumulative TWO YEARS of my life here (adding up all of those summers!)- it's a magical, authentic, and caring place.

My daughters as they were growing up all went to Camp Glenn Arden, but now we have a houseful of…read moregrandsons. The boys go to Camp Arrowhead, for their summers. Great adventures, they enjoy Riflery, Blacksmithing, swimming, animal husbandry, wood rafting, camping, hiking and above all each other. Wonderful camp, highly recommend.

Great park with a variety of hiking trails and some beautiful waterfalls to check out. The trails…read moreare well marked, but you'll want to either download the trails map ahead of time from their website, or take a photo of the park map at the parking lot, because they don't have maps along the trails & there are several trails to chose from. We hiked to High Falls and Triple Falls (both beautiful!), which I would say are moderate-level difficulty due to the inclines & some portions of the trail are loose gravel. Easy for The Hubs and I, but a tad more of a challenge for my in-laws. There are some spots with rocks just the right size to sit on and have a rest if you need a break. There are restrooms at the High Falls trailhead parking lot, and a gift shop. I'm not sure about restrooms elsewhere in the park.

Waterfall Central. 10,400 acres of beautiful hiking trails leading to some of the most amazing…read morewaterfalls / waterways in the Carolinas. It's packed in the summer and parking is at overflow levels. We had the trails and waterfalls all to ourselves 11/10/25 and it was snowing. What an incredible experience. Park is clean and well managed. Trails are marked and wide. Can't wait to go back this coming summer.