Highlights
- Excellent Communication with Parents
- Unique Cabin Unit Style
- 24/7 Adult Supervision
- Rule of Three, campers never left alone
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.
6-16 yo
From June to July
1 week
From $2,825
English
Max 260 campers
Co-Education
Shared
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!
Accommodation & facilities
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.
Reviews
Camp Highlander
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Q&A
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.
Location
The nearest airport to Camp Highlander is Asheville, NC (AVL) 15 minutes drive from camp. Airport pickup is available upon request.
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.