Welcome to Camp Highlander
Camp Highlander is a residential summer camp in Mills River, North Carolina, devoted to the growing and nurturing of boys and girls, ages 6-16, in a safe, fun-filled, and electronics-free environment. Since 1957, we have partnered with parents and families to build character and confidence in the lives of children as we provide lifelong memories, authentic friendships, and an undeniable sense of being loved.
Why we love it
- Excellent Communication with Parents
- Unique Cabin Unit Style
- Rule of Three, campers never left alone
- 24/7 Adult Supervision
Good to know
- Day & Overnight Camp
- 6-16 years old
- For girls and boys
- Founded in 1957
- From $2,825 - $10,200
- Max 130 girls and 130 boys in each session. campers
- From June to July
- English as main language
Overview
Camp Highlander is a residential summer camp in Mills River, North Carolina, devoted to the growing and nurturing of boys and girls, ages 6-16, in a safe, fun-filled, and electronics-free environment. Since 1957, we have partnered with parents and families to build character and confidence in the lives of children as we provide lifelong memories, authentic friendships, and an undeniable sense of being loved.
For over sixty years, our Camp Highlander family has grown as campers and counselors have traveled from 20 different countries and 32 US states to experience the magic of our mountain home. Each and every one of these individuals, whether they come from just down the road or across the globe, impact and influence our camp legacy with their own unique contributions. And, as they head back home at the end of each summer, they carry the impact and influence of Highlander with them.
We seek to build boys and girls of courage, honesty, integrity and faith, and to help them become all that God intends them to be. Through this love, we seek to build boys and girls of courage, honesty, integrity and faith, and to help them become all that God intends them to be. In all we do, from the social structure of camp to our programming, from opening day to closing day, we seek to uphold, promote, teach and exemplify these four core values.
Courage: Dare to be Brave
Courage is found within you and is realized through the support and love of those around you. Dare to be brave. Try new things. Stand by your friends.
Honesty: Speak Truth in Love
Be yourself. Honesty builds trust. Trust is the foundation of our family. Be kind to others; honesty is shown in our actions, not just our words. Speak truth in love to your neighbor.
Integrity: Respect Yourself, Others and Nature
Be strong. Integrity builds confidence. Lead by example. Win with integrity. Lose with integrity. Live a life of moral conviction, worthy of modeling.
Faith: Seek Truth and Believe
Never stop dreaming. Faith is the ability to receive, find and make meaning in our lives. Faith is being certain of what is not seen and sure of what we hope for.
Accommodation
We have 34 beautiful cabins sprinkled out across Old Forge Mountain. The cabins are located in defined girls camp and boys camp areas of camp. Each cabin is equipped with two sinks, two toilets and two showers.
Each cabin sleeps 10 camper and two staff members. Campers are grouped by birth gender, age and grade.
Each camper sleeps in his own bunk bed/single mattress. Other campers and staff are not allowed to sit on another campers bed. Privacy is very important and respected.
Shared Bedrooms
Max 1 campers per room
Ensuite Bathrooms
Room with ensuite bathroom
Facilities
Dining Room
Laundry
Fireplace
Arts room
Games Room
Library
Lake
Gym
Swimming Pool
Tennis Court
Soccer Court
Basketball Court
Volleyball Court
Archery
Running track
Activities
From opening day to final farewells, our campers enjoy so many exciting activities with their cabin unit that it’s hard for them to choose a favorite. Whether they are playing soccer on the land sports field, conquering the climbing wall, tubing down the Mills River, trying their hand at flint-knapping, or performing on stage during Highlander’s famous Evening Programs, our campers learn to accomplish their goals, discover new talents and, perhaps most importantly, work as a team – all while exploring the spectacular mountains of Western North Carolina.
From pottery and cooking to rock climbing and kayaking, our campers currently enjoy over 25 different activities. But that’s just the on camp fun. For campers staying for two weeks or more, we take off camp adventures into Pisgah National and Dupont State Forests to hike, climb, and swim. Of course, the most popular off-camp trip is to Dolly’s Ice Cream Bar! As a cabin unit, campers participate in many adventures together both on and off-camp. Our cabin unit structure helps each camper feel comfortable enough to step outside their comfort zone and try new things. With their cabin mates and counselors by their side every step of the way, campers meet each challenge and triumph with unbridled encouragement, support and love. Our goal is that each camper would discover just how courageous they can be while enjoying a journey filled with personal achievements and unforgettable memories. Additionally, Wednesdays and Saturdays are ‘camper choice’ days in which each camper is able to sign-up for their own activities as an individual. Whether they want to explore a new activity, enjoy one of their all-time favorites, or develop any particular skill through our Master of the Mills program, our campers love camper choice days!
Academic Courses
Video
Reviews
How to get to there
Address: 42 Dalton Rd, Horse Shoe, NC 28742, USA
Closest Airport: Asheville, NC (AVL) 15 minutes drive from camp
Airport Pickup: Yes, complimentary camper shuttle service
Things to know
Cancellation Policy
Applications must be submitted with a deposit of $1,000 by echeck, debit or credit card. There is a 2.75% credit card recovery fee when using a debit card or credit card and a 1% recovery fee when using an echeck. All deposits are fully refundable until January 15th minus a $300 administrative fee per camper. Tuition payments, minus the $1,000 deposit, are refundable if written notice is received prior to March 15, 2022. There is no refund made for cancellations after March 15, 2022. If applying between August and November 15th, the tuition payment will be split into three installments, one third due November 15, one third due January 15 and the final one third due on March 15. If applying between November 16 and March 14, the $1,000 deposit and half of the remaining tuition is due with the application. All final payments are due March 15. For applications after March 15, the full tuition is due with the application. There will be NO REFUND for cancellations, late arrivals or early departure from camp, including departure due to injury, illness or disciplinary dismissal of camper.
Covid Measures
We are not anticipating any special covid restrictions.
Health & Safety
At Camp Highlander, we understand that you’ve trusted us with the most precious part of your life - your child - and that is why safety is our top priority. Camp Highlander has maintained the highest standards of safety through our facilities, programs and qualified staff for more than 60 years. In addition to the proactive approach we take toward the health and safety of our campers, we have a caring, qualified health care staff available to tend to the needs of your child while away from home. We have full- time registered nurses, working 24 hours a day, whose sole focus is the health of our campers and staff members. They administer daily medications and provide professional health care treatment for any camper or staff member who needs it.
Staff & Student Ratio
4/10 camper ratio - 4 staff to every 10 campers while at activities and 1/5 ratio while in cabins.
Contact Camp Highlander
You might also like...
Explore other options
- Discover more camps in America, North America, North Carolina, South USA, United States of America
Leave a Review
Sort By
Katie has been signaling DAILY about camp. I am so grateful for your camp and patience to allow her to settle in. The maturity she returned with is amazing, the love she holds in her heart for camp is inspiring. One of the counselors is my other daughter’s chosen mom.
First time camp mom and camper here and all I can say is that we are beyond impressed!! The communication, the time spent planning events, the pictures, the counselors, the food!! I could go on and on. We look forward to the daily pictures and the blog from Melissa! The staff at Camp Highlander definitely made us feel comfortable leaving a piece of our hearts there for two weeks. I wish I was 13 again so I could go!
First time at Camp Highlander. My 10 year old son had an amazing time. We have been home for a few days and he is still talking about all of the things they did. There are to many activity opportunities to list. We were nervous sending him for two weeks. Immediately upon entering the grounds we felt at ease. The warm and welcoming energy was felt immediately. I can’t thank you enough for making our son’s first two week camp experience amazing. We researched so many options and glad we picked Camp Highlander.
I am an alumni (1980s) and my daughter is scheduled to go back for her second summer in 2022. When I went it was a GREAT camp. Now it is an even GREATER camp. The other reviewers have a done great job talking about the level of communication, personal service, safety and love…believe them all. My daughter came back and forged some amazing relationships with her cabin mates. Before she left we were so worried about her being homesick or maladjusted. At first she wasn’t responding to our messages through the (amazing) Bunk1 application…when she finally responded to us. “Sorry, I was really busy having too much fun that I didn’t write.” We knew she was having fun because we could see the daily pictures. She hasn’t stopped talking about it. They sent her back to us improved physically, spiritually, mentally, socially and with a more responsibility. The staff and management team acts with love in everything they do. I loved this camp then, and I love it even more now. It’s March as I’m writing this…but the whole family has summer camp on the mind. I highly recommend the C session because Color War is awesome.
Just picked up my campers from another amazing two weeks at Camp Highlander! It was our family’s ninth summer at Highlander and my youngest still has a few years ahead of him! From the staff, to the activities, to the amazing friendships they have made over the years – I cannot say enough wonderful things about this camp.