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.

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

From the owner: Camp Ton-A- Wandahread more

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.

I attended Rockbrook Camp 55 years ago for 2 years in a row. It was a wonderful experience and I'm…read moreglad to see it is still growing and providing a great camp experience to so many girls.

My daughters are there right now for the reunion. I wish I were there too. My experience at RBC in…read more1950, 1951 and 1952 were the best summers ever. Im sure If I came to the reunion I would get the award for the oldest camper, at 90 years old. I didn't get any information about the reunion or I would have tried to attend. As it was, my two daughters made plans at the last minute. Covar Jeppe Dabezies

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.

This is a huge forest offering numerous waterfalls and hiking trails…read more Not far from Looking Glass Falls ,we drove to see Hooker Falls. There is a parking lot and bathrooms at the start of the dirt gravel trail to the falls. Hooker Falls is a wide, 12-to-14-foot waterfall on the Little River . Very scenic area as the falls empty into a clear pool surrounded by beautiful vegetation. Scenes for The Hungry Games were actually bfilmed here.

We spent the weekend in Brevard and wanted to check out several waterfalls in Western NC. Having…read morehiked in Gorges State Park the previous day, where the trail was more rigorous, we appreciated that the trails to Hooker Falls and High Falls were relatively flat and easy. We probably could have gone to some of the others but they were farther away. We actually started at the parking area near Hooker Falls and eventually drove over to the main center and walked the trail to High Falls. We enjoyed our visit early on a Sunday before it got too crowded. A very nice visit.