Explore, Connect, Discover with APR Summer Camps

Posted on by Christy Edwards
multi colored banner image that says Asheville Parks & Recreation summer camps

Registration opens on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. on www.avlrec.com.

Summer is a time for kids, tweens, and teens to explore, connect, and discover! Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) summer camps offer nine weeks of supervised fun for Asheville’s youngest adventurers, artists, nature lovers, gamers, athletes, scientists, and leaders-in-training.

Are you an adventurer, artist, nature lover, gamer, athlete, or scientist who’s outgrown camp? APR is hiring year-round part-time and summer seasonal team members to inspire kids, families, and community members. 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, Feb. 13, 2023, at 6 p.m. 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 for assistance. To submit free or reduced lunch documentation, please email parks@ashevillenc.gov. 

Full Day Camps | Outdoors | Sports | Specialty | Therapeutic | Camps by Week

Traditional Day Camps

  • Dates: June 12-Aug. 11 (no camp on June 19, July 4, or July 14)
  • Fee (per week): $40 for City of Asheville resident ($50 for nonresident), $30 for students on reduced lunch, $10 for students on free lunch; siblings receive a $10 discount
  • 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 for rising 6th-9th graders include creative activities, diverse projects, field trips, and more.

Outdoor Camps

  • All outdoor camps meet at Murphy-Oakley Park.
  • Registration for each week must be done individually.
  • 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 (828) 251-4080 or celyseev@ashevillenc.gov with any questions.

Eco Explorers, June 13-15

A three day camp focused on exploration and fun outdoors for our youngest adventurers!  Activities may include hiking, stream investigations, geocaching, animal visits and a field trip to Grandfather Mountain. 

  • Ages: 6-8 years-old
  • Fee: $120 (includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation; campers must bring lunch and water bottle each day) 
  • Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Registration link

Kidventure, June 20-23

This four day camp has an outdoor living skills focus. Activities vary and may include hiking, geocaching, shelter and fire building, raft making, fishing, swimming, archery, climbing wall, and an inflatable kayak trip.  

  • Ages: 9-11 years-old
  • Fee: $180 (includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation; campers must bring lunch and water bottle each day)
  • Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Registration link

Fly Guys and Gals, June 27-28

This two day fly fishing camp will introduce guys and gals to the sport of fly fishing. We’ll learn the basics of casting, participate in an aquatic invertebrate search, tie flies, and spend time on the water trying to catch the big one. This program starts at 8 a.m. to allow time for fishing before the heat of the day.

  • Ages: 12-17 years-old
  • Fee: $30 (includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation; campers must bring lunch and water bottle each day)
  • Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Registration link

Adventure Camp, July 17-21

A five day camp with activities focused on outdoor exploration. Activities vary by age group and may include hiking, swimming, rafting, tubing, environmental education, and more. Campers split into two groups based on age: 8-10 and 10-12 years-old. For 10 year olds, register in your preferred age group.

  • Ages: 8-12 year olds
  • Fee: $220 (includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation to camp activities; campers must bring lunch and water bottle each day)
  • Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday; Thursday is an overnight camping trip with pickup at noon on Friday
  • Registration links: 8-10 years-old or 10-12 years-old

Teen Water Adventure Camp, July 24-26

This three day camp is perfect for older campers who like to spend their summer splashing around. Activities vary and may include tubing, snorkeling, paddling, and hiking to waterfalls. Campers will take a whitewater rafting trip (Class II-IV).  

  • Ages: 11-14 year olds
  • Fee: $180 (includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation; campers must bring lunch and water bottle each day)
  • Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Registration link

Sports Camps

  • Registration for each week must be done individually.
  • Contact individual camp leaders with any questions.

Football, June 5-July 17 (no camp July 3)

Football skills training camp is created for any athlete who loves to play football, regardless of the position they play or experience level. Campers get the opportunity to compete and improve their football skills in a variety of drills, games, and competitions.

Basketball, June 6-29

In this six-week youth basketball skills camp, players have the opportunity to strengthen basketball skills while learning fundamentals such as dribbling, shooting mechanics, passing, footwork, conditioning, and more. All skill levels are welcome.

Golf, June 26-29

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.

Disc Sports, July 17-21

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! 

Specialty Camps

  • All Specialty Camps meet at West Asheville Community Center
  • Registration fee includes all materials and instruction, but campers must bring lunch and water bottle each day.
  • Registration for each week must be done individually.
  • Contact individual camp leaders with any questions.

Tabletop Gaming, June 20-23

In this camp, we’ll play lots of games: strategy board games, competitive card games, cooperative puzzle games, party games, and even some retro arcade games including Settlers of Catan, Seven Wonders, Betrayal at the House on the Hill, Tiny Towns, Forbidden Desert, The Resistance: Avalon, King of Tokyo, Mysterium, Throw Throw Burrito, Pokemon, Lords of Waterdeep, and others.

  • Ages: Rising 5th-8th graders
  • Fee: $40 for City of Asheville resident ($50 for nonresident), $30 for students on reduced lunch, $10 for students on free lunch; siblings receive a $10 discount
  • Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Contact: Nate van Patten, nvanpatten@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 417-1585
  • Registration link

Anime Fan Club, June 26-30

This week’s camp is a club designed for new and lifelong anime fans. Each day will have planned special activities around the anime genre.. Activities Include: live action role playing, watch an anime movie together, trivia battles, anime tournament of games and crafts, and costume designing with photo shoot. Each participant will be entered into a raffle (1 ticket per day of attendance) to win cool anime swag!

  • Ages: Rising 2nd-7th graders
  • Fee: $40 for City of Asheville resident ($50 for nonresident), $30 for students on reduced lunch, $10 for students on free lunch; siblings receive a $10 discount
  • Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Contact: LaQuita Hudson, lhudson@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 259-5483
  • Registration link

Quest Role Play, July 10-13

If you are a hero at heart and love using your imagination to create epic stories, join others for the fantasy role playing game (RPG), Quest. Create your own unique character with awesome powers and abilities, set off and explore dangerous tombs, overcome deadly traps, fight amazing monsters, and work together as a team to complete the quest. No experience in other RPGs is required.

  • Ages: Rising 5th-8th graders
  • Fee: $20 for City of Asheville resident ($25 for nonresident), $10 for students on reduced lunch, $5 for students on free lunch
  • Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (morning session) and 1:30-5 p.m. (afternoon session).
  • Contact: Nate van Patten, nvanpatten@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 417-1585
  • Registration links: morning session or afternoon session

Mad Scientists, July 17-21

Want to hone science skills? This week is loaded with chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and more. Expect to spend each day getting to experiment, problem solve, and play with other young science enthusiasts.

  • Ages: Rising 1st-5th graders
  • Fee (per week): $40 for City of Asheville resident ($50 for nonresident), $30 for students on reduced lunch, $10 for students on free lunch; siblings receive a $10 discount
  • Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Contact: LaQuita Hudson, lhudson@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 259-5483
  • Registration link

Therapeutic Recreation

TR camps are designed for kids and teens who may excel with additional support (see below for eligibility). Daily activities include group games, arts and crafts, nature exploration, special events, and field trips.

  • Dates: June 12-Aug. 11 (no camp on June 19, July 4, or July 14)
  • Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Ages: 6-18 years-old and/or high school graduation
  • Fee (per week): $40 for City of Asheville resident ($50 for nonresident), $30 for students on reduced lunch, $10 for students on free lunch; siblings receive a $10 discount
  • 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

TR camp participants 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

June 5-July 17

  • Sports Camp: Football, Monday from 5-6:30 p.m. (no camp on July 3)

June 6-29

  • Sports Camp: Basketball, Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m.

Week 1 – June 12-16

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoors: Eco Explorers (June 13-15)

Week 2 – June 20-23 (no camp June 19)

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

Week 3 – June 26-30

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoors: Fly Guys and Gals (June 27-28)
  • Sports: Golf (June 26-29)
  • Specialty: Anime Fan Club

Week 4 – July 3-7 (no camp July 4)

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

Week 5 – July 10-13 (no camp July 14)

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Specialty: Quest Role Play

Week 6 – July 17-21

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoors: Adventure Camp
  • Sports: Disc Sports
  • Specialty: Mad Scientists

Week 7 – July 24-28

  • Youth Day Camp
  • Teen Day Camp
  • TR Day Camp
  • Outdoors: Teen Water Adventure Camp

Week 8 – July 31-Aug. 4

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

Week 9 – Aug. 7-11

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

Asheville Park & Recreation (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.