a CampPage Summer Camp Guide
South Central Summer Camps > Hiking and Backpacking Summer Camps
Camp Highlander
Residential coed summer camp
Camp Highlander is a co-ed residential summer camp devoted to the growing and nurturing of boys and girls, ages 5-16 in a safe, fun-filled environment since 1957. Located in the North Carolina mountains, our goal is to give children memories to fill their hearts, friendships to last a lifetime, and achievements to give them confidence while encouraging them to build character and strong values that will remain with them always. Our qualified and caring staff are able leaders, dedicated to providing each child with an exciting summer of adventure, while maintaining the highest standards of safety.
Our program consists of over 35 activities with five primary disciplines including sports, waterfront, arts, horseback riding and wilderness experience. One thing that makes Camp Highlander so unique is our wonderful off-camp adventures. Whitewater rafting trips to the Nantahala River, overnights in Pisgah Forest, water-skiing at Lake Keowee, swimming in the beautiful waterfalls and Looking Glass Falls . . . taking our campers into the magical Appalachian mountains is the highlight of their experience. At Camp Highlander, we are committed to teaching our campers a deep respect for nature and an increased awareness of not only themselves, but of their peers and surroundings.
Website:
Camp Crestridge
Residential girls' summer camp
Camp Crestridge for Girls is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. We are a Christian camp with a recreational emphasis. We help our campers to grow physically and mentally through our skill classes, socially through interactions with the staff and their cabinmates, and spiritually through our cabin devotions and Morning Watch times. Our staff are strong Christian role models that are great examples for their campers. We are ACA accredited and members of Christian Camping International. Come and experience Christian camping at its finest!
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Camp Huawni
Residential coed summer camp
Camp Huawni is a throwback to a simpler time and place for boys (ages 6-15) and girls (ages 6-16) located in East Texas. Our smaller setting and 3:1 camper to counselor ratio make us unique and allows us to invest purely in relationships that result in true personal growth. Camp Huawni has been a safe haven for 47 years where children can be themselves and where lifetime friendships begin.
Our mission at Camp Huawni is to love the kids, or LTK as we call it.
We believe that:
* Simple fun is the most fun
* We were made to play outdoors
* Life is meaningful relationships
* Rich tradition reminds us of who we are
* True personal growth begins and ends with our Creator
Camp Huawni has a total of four sessions, including 2 two-week sessions and 2 one-week sessions, and limits each session to 130 campers. Many campers enroll in up to 4 sessions, a total of 6 weeks. Camp Huawni is a Christian-based camp but welcomes children from any faith background.
Camp Arrowhead for Boys
Residential Summer Camp for Boys
Located in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Camp Arrowhead is a Christian, high-adventure summer camp for boys ages 6-16. Sessions range from one to seven weeks, and since 1937, generations of campers have experienced life-changing summers at Arrowhead.
Our passion is to help every boy become the man God created him to be. Because we are small, and because we actively create a partnership with parents, we will know the specific hopes and needs of your son. Because we are passionate, your son will benefit from the tremendous excitement, experience and energy of our summer camp staff. And because our team has a boy's heart for fun, your son will find comradary and know that he is loved.
Set along our very own sparkling clear trout stream, Arrowhead has 217 acres of beautiful woodlands, waterfalls, streams, meadows and trails for boys to explore, camp and ride. We also take advantage of over 2 million acres of nearby mountain forests and rivers of National Forest lands.
Boys live in cabins with others their age and our exceptional counselors.
Campers ride horses, Blacksmith, hike, bike, paddle, water-ski, sail and climb the premiere areas within Western NC. Come join our family!
Website: 
Camp Woodmont
Residential coed summer camp
A smaller-sized traditional summer camp with extremely close owner supervision. Camp owner Jane Bennett, along with her two children, camp directors Tyran Bennett and Alyson Bennett Gondek are hands-on camp directors with extensive qualifications (see below).
All counseling staff are college students and undergo extensive interviews, background checks and on-site director-led training including five days of climbing and high ropes training led by nationally known trainers, a four-day American Red Cross Lifeguard, CPR and First Aid certification class led by camp director and Red Cross instructor Tyran Bennett; and Archery certification. Both directors are certified horseback riding instructors and we also send staff to a horseback safety clinic. We top off all this specialty training with a full week of camp policy and activities training immediately prior to camp start.
Our family-type atmosphere means we can get to know every camper; it gives younger campers a feeling of reassurance and belonging and older campers a chance to grow and contribute in a community of support. Our traditional program includes extensive arts/crafts and performing arts as well as sports, aquatics, horseback riding, high adventure and much more.
Website: www.campwoodmont.com(706) 398-0833 or (770) 457-0862 or (423) 472-6070
Established in 1981
YMCA Camp Lakewood
Residential coed summer camp
YMCA Camp Lakewood, a branch of the YMCA of Greater St. Louis is a co-ed summer residential camp for ages 6-17, located 75 miles south of St. Louis between Potosi and Steelville, MO. Set amidst 5,000 beautiful woodland acres with a private 360-acre lake, Camp Lakewood is a true escape. Your child will forget all about television, video games, and mp3 players while discovering the ultimate childhood experience, all within a safe and trusted environment.
Programs at Camp Lakewood are based on the YMCA's four core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. We believe in making your camper stronger in spirit, mind and body! At Camp Lakewood, your camper can attend our Traditional Summer Camp Program, participate in the Ranger Program, work on leadership skills in our Leaders In Training Program (LIT), or focus on a special elective of our regular camp program like Horsemanship.
Campers ages six to eight can experience a taste of the summer camp program through Mini-Camp. We also have Tween Camp for campers ages 9-10 or Pre-Teen Camp for ages 11-12.
We welcome children of all nationalities and denominations and pride ourselves on the cultural diversity of our campers and counselors.
Camp Grady Spruce YMCA
Residential Coed Summer Camp
Established in 1949, YMCA Camp Grady Spruce is all about relationships. We strengthen relationships with God, His creation and each other.
Camaraderie, joy, and memories are created along the shores of stunning Possum Kingdom Lake. Campers fall asleep under a star-filled sky and wake to the sun rising over the lake.
Camp Grady Spruce is made up of three individual camp sites: Main Camp (7-12 yr old boys), Ray Bean Camp (7-12 yr old girls), Frontier Camp (13-16 yr old co-ed). All camps offer activities such as water skiing/wakeboarding, sailing, and horses. Frontier offers Adventure Trips and leadership opportunities.
Camp is more than natural beauty and activities. It is a place where kids try new things, learn to live in community, appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of each other and experience the example of Christian living.
Character development is the most important benefit of the CGS experience. We embrace four core values: honesty, respect, responsibility and caring.
EPIC Adventures
Wilderness AdventureLocated in heart of the Texas Hill Country near Austin, we provide coed teens unique opportunities to build character, leadership skills, confidence, and outdoor wilderness skills. Unlike most camps in Texas, we spend our time at different outdoor locations enjoying what the Texas outdoors has to offer.
Activities include Kayaking, Backpacking, Camping, Rafting, Climbing, Cooking, Building Shelters, Canyoneering, Caving, and Hiking. Activities are age appropriate and adjusted to each camper's abilities helping to build self confidence. All major gear is provided and comprehensive instruction is provided by well trained knowledgeable staff. We are a camp with a purpose!
Catalina Island Camps
Residential coed summer camp
Catalina Island Camps is a Summer Resident Camp for boys and girls ages 7 through 15. The camp facilities are located at Howlands Landing on the California side of Catalina Island, 22 miles from Southern California. 150-180 boys and girls ages 7 to 15 participate in the camp's waterfront and land programs.
Activities include: sailing, skin diving, water-skiing, sea-kayaking, climbing wall, ropes course, and many others.
Wellspring Camps
Residential Coed Fitness and Weight Loss Camps
Wellspring Camps provide a scientifically-based behavioral change program focused on long-term weight loss. The goal of Wellspring Camps is to expose campers who are more than 20 pounds overweight to different ways to get in shape and lose weight so that they continue to be active after camp ends.
Campers are typically grouped by age and gender, maximizing the program for each participant's needs and body type. In addition to recreational activities, campers meet with doctorate-level behavior coaches to make long-lasting changes in attitude and self esteem.
With a Wellspring Camp near you, you can enjoy the benefits of a scientifically based approach, a large pool of resources, smaller programs than traditional weight loss camps, diet camps or fat camps, and the chance to implement healthy lifestyle change in a supportive and fun environment. This summer, you may choose from 12 Wellspring programs: New York, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, California, Texas, Vancouver, United Kingdom, Wellspring Academy and Wellspring Family Camp.
Camp Ridgecrest
Residential boys' summer camp
Camp Ridgecrest for Boys: Impacting lives for God's glory through discipleship and adventure. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, Camp Ridgecrest is designed for individual attention, maximum fun, and the safety of each child. We facilitate camper growth by offering a Christian camp program that has been thriving since 1929. Camp Ridgecrest for Boys offers over 25 activities taught by solid Christian role models. Our staff are highly trained, committed believers with a heart for children and youth ministry. Join us for an unforgettable experience of fun encompassing physical, mental, social, and spiritual growth.
Camp Highlander
Residential coed summer camp
Camp Highlander is a co-ed residential summer camp devoted to the growing and nurturing of boys and girls, ages 5-16 in a safe, fun-filled environment since 1957. Located in the North Carolina mountains, our goal is to give children memories to fill their hearts, friendships to last a lifetime, and achievements to give them confidence while encouraging them to build character and strong values that will remain with them always. Our qualified and caring staff are able leaders, dedicated to providing each child with an exciting summer of adventure, while maintaining the highest standards of safety.
Our program consists of over 35 activities with five primary disciplines including sports, waterfront, arts, horseback riding and wilderness experience. One thing that makes Camp Highlander so unique is our wonderful off-camp adventures. Whitewater rafting trips to the Nantahala River, overnights in Pisgah Forest, water-skiing at Lake Keowee, swimming in the beautiful waterfalls and Looking Glass Falls . . . taking our campers into the magical Appalachian mountains is the highlight of their experience. At Camp Highlander, we are committed to teaching our campers a deep respect for nature and an increased awareness of not only themselves, but of their peers and surroundings.
