Summer is almost here + school is almost out. ☀️ And while your kids are probably excited, you might have a headache from thinking about how to keep them busy for the next three months.
Luckily, Asheville isn’t short on kid-friendly summertime fun. And with camps focused on everything from ecology and sustainability to rock climbing and whitewater rafting, your kiddos will be having such a good time they might not even realize they’re also learning.
We rounded up 15 summer activities you can do with your kids, plus 20 day + overnight camps for when they’re ready to set out on their own (with plenty of supervision, of course).
🎉 Fun for the whole fam
Asheville Drum Circle |📍67 Patton Ave. | Free | Every Friday night, people gather in Pritchard Park to play drums, dance + enjoy the diversity of Asheville.
Asheville Museum of Science |📍43 Patton Ave. | $7+ | Interactive exhibits, weekly activities + more.
Asheville Tourist Game |📍30 Buchanan Pl. | $8.50+ | Bonus: Kids eat free on Monday night games.
Asheville Treetops Adventure Center |📍85 Expo Dr. | $50+ | Ziplines, ropes courses, a bike park + more.
Asheville’s Fun Depot |📍7 Roberts St. | $4+ | Indoor + outdoor activities include bumper cars, arcade games, go karts, laser tag + more.
Bike at Carrier Park + French Broad Greenway |📍220 Amboy Rd. | Free | This easy 2.5-mile trail runs along the French Broad River.
Bowling Summer Pass |📍491 Kenilworth Rd. | $31.95+ | For the one time price, your kids can bowl up to three games every day through Sept. 2.
Climbmax Rock Climbing |📍43 Wall St. or 173 Amboy Rd. | $12+ | Programs + coaching available for all ages.
Explore the Great Smoky Mountain National Park |📍Various Locations | Free | The GSMNP offers junior ranger programs all throughout the summer for kids to enjoy.
Mountain Play Lodge |📍3389 Sweeten Creek Rd. | $8+ | This large indoor playground is great for those summer storm days or when you want to beat the heat.
N.C. Arboretum |📍20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way | $14 per vehicle | Garden exhibits, plus kids’ activities like geocaching, discovery backpacks, Rocky Cove Railroad, nature discovery room + TRACK trail.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park |📍1836 Hendersonville Rd. | $8+ | Let out all the energy + enjoy jumping on the trampolines, foam pit, jousting battle or sky hoops. Bonus: A special toddler time happens in the morning for those under 5.
Splashville at Pack Square Park |📍80 Court Plaza, Pack Square Park | Free | With 21 jets operating in 12 different combinations, so getting sprayed is always a surprise.
Tubing with Zen Tubing |📍608 Riverside Dr. | $20 per person | Float down the French Broad + enjoy a day in the sun.
WNC Nature Center |📍75 Gashes Creek Rd. | $6.95+ | With 42 acres of exhibits, you + your kids will be able to up close + personal with all kinds of wildlife from southern Appalachia.
⚽ Make a day (camp) of it
ABYSA Soccer Camps | Asheville, Hendersonville + Mars Hill | Ages 4–14 + higher level camps available | $130+ | June-July | Your camper will hone fundamental soccer skills, play games + have time at the pool. Advanced camps are available for higher-level athletes.
The Academy at Terpsicorps | Asheville | Ages 3–10 | $150 per week | June-July | Pre-School level, Discover Dance, and Petite Muses classes all offer a daily dose of hip-hop, ballet, contemporary + tap choreographic lessons. Plus, summer classes + internships for the older dancers.
Asheville Creative Arts: Theatre Camp | Asheville | Grades 4th-6th | $130 for half-day + $270 for full day | June 24-28 | Acting, creative drama, writing + puppetry in classes led by local artists.
Asheville JCC: Camp Ruach | Asheville | Grades 1st–5th | $235+ | June-August | Jewish | Days filled with swimming, sports, creativity + crafts, nature + gardening, dance, music + more.
Asheville Museum of Science | Asheville | Grades K–7th | $150 for half, $300 for full | June-July | Programs include Engineering Exploration, Space Investigators, Earth Ambassadors, Makers United + more.
Elevate: Life and Art | Asheville | Ages 5–11 | $55+ | June-August | Activities include sports, swimming, team building, weekly field trips + more in West Asheville.
Evergreen Summer Adventures | Asheville | Grades K–9th | $160+ | June-August | Enrichment classes, nature basics, outdoor sports, water activities + more.
Franny’s Farm Camp | Leicester | Ages 7–16 | $300 per week | June-August | Offering hands-on fun and learning with furry friends on the farm. Campers will also learn gardening techniques.
LEAF Arts & Parks | Asheville | Grades 1st–5th | Prices vary | July-August | Your child will learn about global cultures, friendship and performing arts by participating in curated activities including dance workshops, healing arts, face painting, drumming, circus arts + more.
River Link: River Camp | Asheville | Grades 3rd–8th | $250 | June-July | For the next generation of watershed stewards. Hands-on environmental education, river recreation + service-learning projects.
Sunny Truth Farm | Mars Hill | Ages 5–10 | $100 per week | June-July | This summer camp is based on the idea that children need the opportunity to learn + play in an outdoor setting. Activities include checking in on farm animals, Appalachian plants, aquatic life + more.
UNC Asheville Summer Camps | June-August | Ages 6-18 | $55+ | Learn from UNC Asheville faculty on topics like creative writing, music, woodworking, sports + more.
YMCA: Full + Half Day Camps | Asheville | Grades K-12th | Program costs vary | Dates vary | A dozen full day + half day camp options, including Discovery Camp, Adventure Camp, Sports Camps, Theatre Camp + more.
WNC Nature Center | Asheville | Grades Pre-K–7th | $85+ | June-August | Science + nature skills as well as basic themes on animals and outdoor recreation.
⛺ Sleepaway camp
Camp Henry | Lake Logan | All ages | $315+ | June + July | Christian | Bonus: They help host Cold Mountain Music Festival + run a leadership school.
Camp Pinnacle | Flat Rock | Grades 1st–9th | $3,095+ | June-August | 13-day sessions over five weeks are based on your child’s age and camp experience. Activities include whitewater rafting, rock climbing, overnight camp outs + more.
Cedar Cliff | Asheville | Grades Pre K-10 | $280+ | June-August | Christian | Children choose their camp experiences from options like archery, rock climbing, hiking, camping out, ziplining + more.
Fox Mountain Guides & Climbing School | Brevard | Ages 13–18 | $1,200+ | June-July | Perfect for beginners or pros, this climbing camp teaches the basics of rock climbing as well as sessions for more experienced climbers.
Lutheridge | Arden | Grades 1st–12th | $101+ | June-August | Christian | Four different age group programs and several week-long themes to choose from.
Merri-Mac | Black Mountain | Grades 1st–11th |$1,925+ | May-August | Christian | All-girls camp that encourages girls to strengthen their faith + make lifelong friends.
Jazz and Contemporary Music Camp at UNC Asheville | High School | June 23-28 | $620 | Learn from UNC Asheville faculty + staff. Day camp option available. See more camps at UNC Asheville here.
Timberlake Camp | Black Mountain | Grades 1st–11th |$1,925+ | May-August | Christian | An all-boys camp with activities like learning to roll in kayaking or playing guitar.
