Discovery Summer Camp (Rising 6th-8th)

Rising Grades 6-8

Camp times: 9am-4pm (may include one overnight – see camp descriptions below)

Before Care: Available from 8:00 am – 9:00 am for an additional fee.

After Care: Available from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm for an additional fee.

DIFFERENT THEME EACH WEEK:

Merit Badge Challenge Camp (June 20-24)

Join registered Merit Badge Counselor and Eagle Scout Jonathan Marchal in completing four badges in the great outdoors at the Arboretum! We’ll focus each day on a new ecology badge, including Reptile and Amphibian Study, Insect Study, Plant Study and Forestry merit badges. Activities will include observing reptiles and amphibians in their habitats, photographing insects and uploading observations for use by scientists and learning about the trees and forest plants that call our region home. Scouts should accomplish Reptile and Amphibian Merit Badge requirement 8 prior to the session. Don’t miss this opportunity for summer advancement!

Price: $250; Camp times: 9am-4pm

eARTh Studio (July 11-15)

Did you know that some of the greatest naturalists in history, such as Charles Darwin and John James Audubon, were also accomplished artists?  Using the lush forests and meandering streams within the Arboretum as inspiration, cultivate your skills of observation and artistry of the natural world.  Produce original pieces, such as illustrations, paintings, sculptures, and photographs, and see first-hand the day-to-day life of a working artist as we travel to studios and galleries in Western North Carolina!

Price: $275; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm

Advanced Mountain Sports (July 25-29)

Get out and get active for this fun-filled week of outdoor adventure! Learn to play disc golf, hike some of the best trails our mountains have to offer and head down to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education for a fly fishing class before fishing one of the top 100 trout streams in the country. We’ll also spend a day doing high-flying adventure activities at the US National Whitewater Center. Participants will choose their own adventure at the center and select from challenge courses, zip lines, climbing, kayaking, war canoes and eco trekking. Finally they’ll go on a night hike and gather around a campfire to share stories from the week on an overnight camp out. Our most action packed week of Discovery Camp yet!

Price: $350; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm and one overnight

Wildlife Trek for Girls (August 8-12)

Girls in rising 6-8th grade are invited to join us to meet field scientists and research the incredible diversity of wildlife and habitats of the Southern Appalachians. We’ll go on hikes around the Arboretum grounds and visit local wildlife viewing hotspots. We will also take a day trip to Pisgah National Forest to learn about the ways these scientists help wildlife populations as we explore careers in natural resources. We will camp out at the Arboretum on Thursday evening to observe nocturnal wildlife and habitats at night. *This camp session is available free of cost for those who qualify. Participants must complete an application to be considered for inclusion.

Price: $275; Camp times: 9 am – 4 pm

Cancellation Policy:
Each registration is a firm commitment to attend. Each program is held to a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee regardless of any other factors. The only exclusions are for ‘before or after care’ and conflicts that arise from changing school schedules. A 50% refund is allowable if a cancellation occurs between 30-11 days prior to the first day of the session. No refund will be offered for sessions cancelled 10 days or less prior to the first day of the session. Registrations are not transferable to other individuals.