If you ever attended summer camp as a kid, you may recall days spent exploring the great outdoors and nights spent huddled around a fire. There was something magical about those carefree times when all you really worried about was your next great adventure.
Although summer camps have evolved in many respects, most continue to incorporate select elements of those lakeside or mountain escapes from yesteryear. So, if you’re searching for a way to expose your child (or yourself) to the sensory experiences that will make you wax nostalgic, consider these four Upstate-area summer camps.
Camp Recommendations
Camp Greenville
Camp Greenville is much more than a pretty place. For more than 100 years, this overnight camp run by YMCA of Greenville has shared its core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility with thousands of boys and girls in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Today, Camp Greenville features age- and gender-appropriate groups divided into three program types:
- Base Camp: a one-week traditional camp offering general-interest activities
- Adventure Camp: a six-day program that blends onsite and offsite activities and trips
- Specialty Camp: mini-week (three nights) or Parent+Me camps designed for younger campers
Of course, Camp Greenville’s location contributes immensely to its charm. Carved from 1,400 acres along the eastern ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the camp showcases two natural waterfalls and two spring-fed lakes and is home to Fred W. Symmes Chapel (aka, “Pretty Place”), which collectively provide “adventure, fun, and tradition, all in a beautiful mountaintop setting.” campgreenville.org
Camp Greystone
Founded in 1920 by a Presbyterian minister, Camp Greystone is a non-denominational Christian camp for girls ages 5–17. The camp, which is located 30 miles from Greenville in the mountains of North Carolina, runs from May through mid-August and offers sessions ranging from one to five weeks.
At its core, Camp Greystone strives to help girls learn to look at themselves and others through a deeper, more meaningful lens than the one commonly used by society. Campers participate in a range of activities that encourage growth in four key areas:
- Spiritual: Exploring their faith.
- Physical: Taking care of their bodies.
- Mental: Embracing each day as a gift.
- Social: Focusing on others more than themselves.
Camp Greystone’s motto encapsulates the impact it seeks to have on every attendee: Girls are worth more than what the world tells them. campgreystone.com
Camp Illahee
Located just over an hour northwest of the Upstate in Brevard, North Carolina, Camp Illahee is a Christian camp for girls founded in 1921. Sessions range from five days to four weeks and are open to second through 11th graders.
Days at Camp Illahee are filled with activities in sports, arts, and adventures, while nights feature devotions, sing-alongs, skits, and other traditional camp events. Campers are encouraged to “Be a Great Girl!” while pursuing their interests, exploring new opportunities, and forging friendships.
As a whole, Camp Illahee’s philosophy and programming are designed to “inspire campers to develop qualities that will serve them for a lifetime,” which includes confidence, conviction, integrity, faith, and respect for nature. campillahee.com
Chimney Point
Since opening in 2017, Chimney Point has pushed the boundaries of what most people would consider “camp.” The all-inclusive retreat is owned by Pine Cove, a Christian-based organization with camps across Texas, and features resort-style accommodations and amenities along the shores of Lake Hartwell near the South Carolina-Georgia border.
Unlike most camps, Chimney Point brings entire families together for a weeklong escape. College counselors oversee age-appropriate programs for children the majority of the day, allowing parents to attend speaker sessions and engage in an array of activities like swimming, boating, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting. Families reunite for meals, theme nights, and other camp bonding experiences.
From its contemporary design to its faith-centered programming, Chimney Point challenges campers to open their minds and free their spirits in both the literal and metaphorical sense. pinecove.com/summer-camps/chimney-point
Illustration by Timothy Banks
