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MountainCamp

Summer Calendar, click here

MountainCamp online Registration click here.

For more than 30 years, The Mountain has provided enriching youth summer camp programs filled with recreation, adventure, education and creativity. The 4:1 camper to counselor ratio and professionally trained staff creates a safe environment where campers are treated with respect, kindness and consideration, and are celebrated for their individual talents. The Mountain places a strong emphasis on being an inclusive, non-competitive environment where youth can develop a deeper understanding of themselves and form lifelong friendships. Campers learn to communicate needs and resolve conflicts - skills they will use the rest of their lives.

Camping sessions are offered for first-12th graders. Some of the exciting activities and workshops campers experience while at MountainCamp include: arts and crafts, drama, music, campfires, outdoor survival skills, international field games, lw and high challenge courses, whitewater rafting, swimming, canoeing and hiking.

Program Descriptions

Beginning Camp (campers 6-8 years old) is 1-week session that provides the perfect way for the youngest group of boys and girls to be introduced to camp and fall in love with it. The camper to counselor ratio is 3:1 for beginning camp so that the counselors are able to spend more one-on-one time with each participant. Arts and crafts, nature hikes and swimming at the lake are a few of the activities that engage the kids during the day, while magicians, campfires and scavenger hunts entertain them in the evenings. Counselors and campers know one another very well at the end of the week and campers feel they are a part of a larger community.
July 1^st-6^th, $550.  On line registration click here.

Elementary Camp I and II (campers 9-11 years old) offers exciting, new experiences to all who attend, whether the camper is new to camp or attended Beginning Camp. Campers experience a little more freedom than Beginning Camp by choosing many of the activities they want to participate in. Some activities and workshops offered include: learning how to cook over a campfire, making jewelry during arts and crafts and exploring one of many hiking trails. Each day is different from the previous and campers learn new things about themselves and the natural environment around them. This summer Elementary campers have a choice to sign up for 1 or 2 weeks.
Elementary I       July 1^st-13^th, $1200.  On line registration click here.

Elementary II     July 8^th-13^th, $550.  On line registration click here.

Intermediate Camp (formerly Junior High Camp) for campers 12-14 years old, is intended to meet the high-energy needs of this special time in adolescents' lives. Intermediate Camp provides opportunities to learn, grow and be in a community of supportive friends. There's something fun for all personalities. In addition to a variety of activities and workshops, the high ropes challenge course and whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River are offered to campers. Evening programs include Theme Dances, Lee Knight Night (the superstar musician of all MountainCamp sessions), a Movie Night and much more to entertain the campers after a full day of exciting activities.
July 15^th- July 27^th, $1200.  On line registration click here.

Teen Leadership Experience (formerly Senior High Camp) designed for campers 14-17 years old who are interested in having fun, meeting new friends and deepening their knowledge in one area of the traditional camp experience. Each camper will sign up for a “track” and while at camp, their morning activities will focus on their particular area of interest. The rest of the camp day will remain similar to years past; including morning circle, field time and exciting evening programs. These two weeks of camp is an exciting time for older campers to connect with others who have similar interests and values and discover more about themselves. The Teen Leadership Experience is intended to help ALL campers, regardless of previous camp/leadership experience, develop their unique talents and skills.

Campers can choose to enroll in the following tracks of interest:

Art- During their time at The Mountain, campers interested in the visual arts will create an art portfolio. Those who choose the art focused track will have the opportunity to work with fabric arts, ceramics, sculpture, and other mixed media.

Music- Those campers that play an instrument or enjoy singing can choose to expand their musical horizons by enrolling in the music track. Campers will have exposure and instruction in the art and mechanics of song writing, will dabble in production, and learn to lead others in morning circle.

Outdoor Leadership- Those campers interested in a more physical camp experience will learn how to facilitate the low ropes course and group initiatives and learn basic belay skills. Campers who choose the Outdoor track will also receive instruction in safety and first aid. CPR certification will be given upon successful completion of the course.  

Naturalist- "Budding" naturalists will learn more about North Carolina's native plants and wildlife, work on The Mountain’s organic garden and engage local environmental agencies in learning how to preserve and protect this unique ecosystem.

Community Action- The campers who choose this track of interest will learn about the Highlands community, meet with social change agents and develop a group community service project. During the process, they will learn more about conflict resolution and develop peace building skills.

June 17^th- 29^th, $1200.  On line registration click here.

 

Explorers (campers 12-14 years old) is an experience for middle school students that are interested in outdoor adventure. While Explorers camp is focused on outdoor experience, Explorers will also participate in a lot of our traditional camp activities including morning circle, worship opportunities, and evening programs with other participants. This program is designed to introduce campers to a wilderness experience and give them opportunity to gain skills that will allow them to move on to our more strenuous Service and Adventure Camp. The Explorers Campers will participate in high ropes and low ropes courses to challenge them and help them gain confidence. Following this introduction, explorers will be able to go rock climbing, white water rafting, and participate on day hikes throughout the southern Appalachian Mountains. Explorers will learn basic wilderness survival skills such as debris hut design, how to build a fire, and map and compass skills. At the end of the camp, Explorers will go on a three-day base camping experience.
July 15^th-27^th, $1200.  On line registration click here.

Service and Adventure (campers 14-17 years old) is an incredible two-week experience that focuses on giving back and adventurous activities with fellow campers. It is one of the most challenging and rewarding sessions offered at MountainCamp. The first week is spent building teamwork skills and community through service projects at The Mountain.  The second week is spent backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. Campers should be able to walk 8 miles a day and carry a 30 lb pack. (In our experience, most campers are able to do this.) While on the trail, campers set-up camp, cook delicious meals as a group, practice "Leave No Trace" skills and gaze at the stars. Following the backpacking trip, campers go rafting on the Nantahala River.
June 17- 29^th, $1200.   Click here to register on line.

 

CIT 2.0 - Counselors-in-Training (17-18 year olds) is an exciting way for young adults to enhance their leadership capacity and develop personal skills while engaging in The Mountain’s vibrant community where UU values are modeled. The program offers opportunities for hands-on leadership training through service projects and trips, outdoor adventure, cabin group experiences and camp wide activities. Focused trainings and workshops on Unitarian Universalism, interfaith issues, conflict management, peaceful communication, youth development and camp skills of all kinds take place throughout the camp sessions. CIT 2.0 participants will take part in designing workshops and other camp activities, as well. In addition, all CIT 2.0 participants will receive First Aid and CPR Certifications. CIT 2.0 is application based and is limited to six participants.
June 17^th-July 27^th, $2050  Note: the CIT program for 2012 is now full.  Please register for Teen Leadership MountainCamp. Click here.

ASCENDER Program - All Summer Campers Exploring Nature's Delights & Experiencing Recreation (15-17 years old) The ASCENDER program gives young adults both work and life experiences that provide tools and skills to last a lifetime. ASCENDERs live together with approximately 8 other participants and 2 mentors. Throughout this 4-week program, the youth have the opportunity to participate in various training and leadership activities, and adventures in the surrounding area. ASCENDERs assist in the success of running The Mountain’s various departments (such as Kitchen, Farm, Facilities, Office, and more). Each and every day is full with challenging experiences that help shape personalities long after camp has ended.  Note:  The 2012 ASCENDER program is now full.  Please click here to register.

June 30^th- July 27^th, $900

A limited number of MountainCamp Scholarships are available for those with true need.  Up to 50% of the camp fee may be awarded.  There is a limit of one session per camper and one scholarship per family.  The deadline for applications is April 15th.  For scholarship for, click here.