Asheville Summer Camps

Camps Are Filling
And WaitLists Are Now Live

Kids goofing around in group photo for Forest Ninjas camp striking funny poses in natural camouflage

Summer Camp 2023
Blazing New Trails at Forest Floor

Not just new camps… totally new experiences added to our familiar lineup.

Campers holding forth a variety of herbs and natural plant remedies at Asheville nature camp

Waitlists and More 2023 News

Waitlists are available on all full camps. Just go thru the normal registration process (without any payment) and you’ll be in line for when spots open up. Every year families change plans and a many registrations open back up.

In addition to new camp experiences, we’ve also shifted our age brackets, with camps for Ages 6-7, 7-8, 9-12, and 12-17.

Of course, we’re also back with 40 sessions of our popular nature & craft camps.

Photo of forest at night at summer overnight camp with moonbeams slanting between dark tree trunks

Teen Overnight Camp

An overnight program where teens can push their edges in a real way.

Shadow Scouts: Advanced Forest Ninja will be six days and five nights of epic adventure.

We will dive into tracking, teamwork, survival, trail craft, tool creation, stealth, sneaking, stalking, and epic night games, all with a healthy dose of FUN!!!!

More detail below in Ages 12-17.

Children playing gaga ball at a youth sports summer day camp

Sports in the Field & Forest

A new camp series that “Reimagines What Sports Can Be” for Ages 8-12.

Run Wild! is an inclusive and gender/age neutral camp that brings the best elements of Forest Floor to a new space – The Game Field!

No skills needed, just an attitude of gratitude and a healthy appreciation for being outside.

More detail below in Ages 7-8 & 9-12,

Important Note on Drop-Off / Pick-up Location

Due to a limited number of seats available in our passenger vans, many of our camps no longer have the option of choosing to drop-off/pick-up at Haw Creek Commons(which would include shuttle service to our forested camp location at Shope Creek and back at the end of the day). Therefore with some camps you’ll only be presented with option of choosing to drop-off/pickup directly at Shope Creek.

As spaces become available in our passenger vans we will be contacting those families who could only choose Shope Creek to find out if they would like to switch to Haw Creek Commons. We will contact families based on their time of enrollment(first-come first-served).

Registration Is Now Open With WaitLists For Full Camps

We’re doing our best to keep up with the growing demand for our camps with an expanded line-up but camps are still filling rapidly.

WaitLists are now available for all full camps. Please do wait-list by going thru the normal registration process – but without paying. As spots become available we’ll offer them individually based on signup order.

Head to the Registration Portal directly.

Enroll by Age

Please choose camps based on the age your child will be this summer.

Use these links to skip to ages 6-7, 7-8, 9-12, or 12-17.

    Now Offering a Downloadable Schedule

    One page summary with all programs and phased registration dates.
    Print, discuss, and plan in advance before registration opens.
    Full camp listings follow below as usual.

    Why Choose Forest Floor?

    We mentor children  to have fun, be healthy, and achieve their fullest potential by connecting with nature.

     

    • Health benefits of nature connection
    • Learn wilderness skills & traditional crafts
    • Meet new friends and reunite with old ones
    • Unforgettable adventures every day
    • Skilled and caring mentors
    • Exciting wilderness experiences
    • Convenient in-town drop-off & pickup
    • Flexible hours for drop-off & pickup

    Nature Connection Camps

    Our weeklong camps run all summer with multiple camps happening each week for various age groups. Crafts, role playing, archery, stealth, blacksmithing, foraging and more.

    Camp sizes are generally capped at 14 or lower, and run by two skilled nature-connection mentors. You won’t find better camper to counselor ratios.

    There’s something to get any kid excited about some healthy outdoor time. Your kids are going to LOVE IT.

    2023 Summer Camp Schedule

    Registration is now open including free Wait-Listing for full camps.

    Ages 6-7

    Girls at summer camp in forest created a tiny model village for faeries to reside in

    Ages 6-7

    Flight of the Faeries

    June 19 – 23  (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 17 – 21  (1 spot left)

    Wander the mountainside making whimsical crafts and brewing flower tea.

    Group of children dressed as forest gnomes at day camp hearing story told by actor

    Ages 6-7

    Legend of the Gnomes

    July 3 – 7 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    August 7 – 11 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Create a gnome village in the woods as a base to learn crafts and go exploring.

    Young summer camper discovering interesting salamander in the forest

    Ages 6-7

    Mysterious Animals of the Forest

    June 26 – 30 (1 spot left)
    July 31 – August 4 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Campers uncover tracks, role play a hunting fox, craft animal personas and learn about their wild neighbors.

    Hand holding a small bird during nature camp experience

    Ages 6-7

    Feathered Friends

    June 5 – 9 
    July 10 – 14  (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Learn to identify birds by sight and sound, with a variety of stories, educational games, observation, and even some craft projects.

    Children examining bones found exploring the forest during nature connection program

    Ages 6-7

    Ancient Stones & Dinosaur Bones

    June 12 – 16 (3 spots left)
    July 24 – 28  (Full – get on the waitlist)

    Take a journey back in time as Young Paleontologies, searching the forest for ancient remnants and learning with a fun range of activities as we go.

    Newsletter Signup

    Get updated when camp seasons open for registration, grab early bird discounts and gifts, and receive nature-connection info useful for parents.

    Ages 7-8

    Campers at foraging skill summer camp with baskets full of wild edible plants

    Ages 7-8

    Nature’s Kitchen: Fire Craft & Cooking

    June 12 – 16 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 10 – 14 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Hunt down wild edibles and learn which are safe to eat.

    Asheville summer day camp Archery Range with kids learning archery arrows drawn

    Ages 7-8

    Archery Range

    June 5 – 9
    August 7 – 11 (1 spot left)

    Practice a variety of different projectiles and become a more skilled archer.

    Child hiding in the forest learning stealth and natural camouflage at summer camp

    Ages 7-8

    Stealth Rangers

    June 26 – 30 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 24 – 28 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Begin your training and develop the skills needed to become a Forest Ninja.

    Crafty Critters camper weaving a basket in the forest at summer camp in Asheville

    Ages 7-8

    Crafty Critters

    July 3 – 7 (2 Spots left)
    July 31 – August 4 (1 spot left)

    Create a variety of fun and useful items using materials found on the land.

    Summer camp role playing at Journey of the Green Man, an Asheville summer camp

    Ages 7-8

    Journey of the Green Man

    June 19 – 23 (1 spot left)
    July 17 – 21  (1 spot left)

    Join the fabled Green Man on his magical quest to save the realm.

    Children playing gaga ball at a youth sports summer day camp

    Ages 8-12

    Run Wild!

    July 17 – 21 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 24 – 28 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 31 – August 4 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    August 7 – 11 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Re-imagining what sports can be! An active, sports-based camp that’s a departure from our typical wilderness camps.

    Ages 9-12

    Child hiding in camouflage during bushcraft lessons at nature summer day camp

    Ages 9-12

    Archer’s Arena

    June 26 – 30 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 31 – August 4 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Become the target and play Capture-the-Flag with safe foam-tipped arrows.

    Group photo at nature camp of camoflauged and face painted kids at summer camp for stealth in forest

    Ages 9-12

    Forest Ninja

    June 5 – 9 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 24 – 28 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Move silently through the landscape as a team and learn the art of camouflage.

    Child climbing a tree at Asheville day camp in the forest

    Ages 9-12

    Bramblehurst School of Bushcraft & Wizardry

    June 19 – 23 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 3 – 7 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 17 – 21 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Head out into our wooded campus for a MOST interesting week of learning new skills alongside your freshly sorted House-mates.

    Summer camper learns Jedi skills at Asheville area nature camp

    Ages 9-12

    Secrets of the Jedi

    June 12 – 16 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    August 7 – 11 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Deepen connection to nature and grow attuned to its life force, while honing the physical skills of survival.

    Boy holding pendant and necklace made at nature camp

    Ages 9-12

    Wild Crafters

    July 10 – 14 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Answer the ancient call to create with a series of nature-based crafts in community with fellow creatives.

    Children playing gaga ball at a youth sports summer day camp

    Ages 8-12

    Run Wild!

    July 17 – 21 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 24 – 28 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 31 – August 4 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    August 7 – 11 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Re-imagining what sports can be! An active, sports-based camp that’s a departure from our typical wilderness camps.

    Ages 12-17

    Carved wooden bowl and spoon made by hand with primitive tools

    Ages 12-16

    Woodcarving: Bowls & Spoons

    June 26 – 30 (Full – get on the waitlist)
    July 31 – Aug 4 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Deepen your relationship with the trees as you learn to carve useful objects from wood.

    Blacksmithing project under way with glowing curled metal on anvil

    Ages 12-16

    Blacksmithing

    June 5 – 9 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    June 19 – 23 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 10 – 14 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    August 7 – 11 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Create useful tools from red hot metal using a forge, hammer and anvil.

    Instructor pointing out something to group of older nature school students

    Ages 14-17

    Counselor In Training Camp

    June 12 – 16 (6+ spots left )

    Take the first step in learning to be a nature connection mentor with our Counselor in Training program.

    Instructor showing proper handling of knife made at knife-making camp

    Ages 12-16

    Knife Making

    June 12 – 16 (Full – get on the wait-list)
    July 3 – 7 (1 spot left)
    July 17 – 21 (Full – get on the wait-list)

    Create a handmade knife from scratch using a variety of blacksmith & shop tools.

    Four young women standing arm in arm with blacksmithing tools at blacksmithing day camp

    Ages 12-16

    Girls Blacksmithing

    July 24 – 28 (2 spot left)

    A special session of Blacksmithing camp for young ladies led by an all-female team.

    Photo of forest at night at summer overnight camp with moonbeams slanting between dark tree trunks

    Ages 13-16

    Shadow Scouts: Advanced Forest Ninja

    July 17 – July 22 (Full – get on the waitlist)

    An overnight adventure camp where teens can push their edges in a real way learning The Craft of the Scout.

    Day Camp Hours

    Our summer camps run daily, Monday through Friday.

    Camp hours:  9:00am – 3:00pm

    Flexible Drop-off:
    8:30 – 9:00am at Haw Creek Commons
    8:45 – 9:15 am at Shope Creek Wilderness

    Flexible Pick-up:
    3:00 – 3:30pm at Haw Creek Commons
    2:45 – 3:15 pm at Shope Creek Wilderness

    Our In-town Drop-Off and Pick-Up Location

    Our new location since spring 2020 is Haw Creek Commons, in East Asheville off Tunnel Road.  This is our main Drop-Off and Pick-up location for MOST summer camps.

    Haw Creek Commons is a community co-working and activity center where Forest Floor has a presence. See the location on Google Maps.

    Please note that on some weeks our reservations for van transportation fill up. If you are not interested in Drop-Off and Pick-Up in the Forest (see below), please make sure to check  the camp registration page to see if shuttle transportation from Haw Creek Commons is still available.

     

    Drop-Off and Pick-Up in the Forest

    Parents may also choose to drop-off and pick-up at Shope Creek Wilderness. The  Address is 472 Shope Creek Road.  The timing of Drop-Off and Pick-Up in the forest is slightly different than at Haw Creek Commons.

    A few teen crafting programs (Blacksmithing, Bowls & Spoons) and RunWild! take place in the woods at Haw Creek Commons, in these cases there is no transportation or forest drop-off/pick-up.

    A Day at Forest Floor

    2023 COVID Safety Policies

    Our COVID-19 safety policy is based primarily on pre-screening and monitoring. It is our current position that the single largest preventative factor at our programs is the fact that we are open-air and outdoors.

    Pre-Screening and Monitoring

    • Any child arriving in the morning with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to attend programs that day. If during the program day a child displays signs or symptoms of illness they will be separated from other students and parents contacted to pick them up.

    • All staff will be self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19. If they develop symptoms, they will notify their supervisor and stay home. Any staff person who develops symptoms of illness during the work day will be separated from students and other staff and sent home ASAP.

    Masks & Social Distancing:

    • As of Fall 2022, we will no longer require masks to be worn on our shuttle vans transporting campers
    • Children and staff will not be required to wear masks, but will be fully supported if they choose to do so.

    We will do our best to fully support any child or staff who chooses more restrictive social distancing or mask wearing than the policies outlined above.