The City of Asheville, in partnership with Buncombe County, continues to take proactive steps to keep our community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
After reviewing guidelines from the CDC and State and local public health officials and the State’s preliminary plans for phased reopening, Asheville Parks & Recreation staff have made the difficult decision to not offer traditional summer camp programs this year. This includes playground, outdoor adventure, therapeutic recreation, specialty camps and WNC Nature Center camps.
Instead, Asheville Parks & Recreation has developed new alternative ways to provide fun activities throughout the summer season.
Rec N Roll is the department’s new mobile recreation initiative. Free programs will be held throughout the community and are designed to offer fun for all ages that comply with public health guidelines on physical distancing and number of participants. Programs may include arts and crafts, active games, and nature exploration.
Virtual Summer Camp is a new free online program with age-appropriate activities for rising 1st graders through rising ninth-graders. Each day, staff lead activities, crafts, and virtual field trips with multiple sessions offered at different times throughout the day.
The WNC Nature Center is offering a “camp in a box” experience. These will be available for purchase online through www.wildwnc.org. The packs will be available for safe pick-up at the Nature Center and include everything you need to have Nature Center camp-like experiences remotely, on your own time schedule. They will feature animal crafts and games, nature journal making, nature exploration activities, and more.
Information regarding Rec N Roll, Virtual Summer Camp and other Parks Department programs and operations can be found on the Asheville Parks & Recreation Facebook page at www.facebook.com/APRCA and on the City’s website at www.ashevillenc.gov/parks. For information about WNC Nature Center programs, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wncnaturecenter or the website at www.wildwnc.org.
For more information about the COVID-19 virus and local response, visit buncombeready.org.