Summer Camps: Day and Overnight Camps

14 Summer camps that are local and in the southeast you should know about

It seems like Georgia just recovered from the January snow and slush, but before you know it, the sun will beat down on us once again and it will be time to figure out how to keep the kids occupied this summer. So, whether it’s just for the day or for an exciting sleepaway, there are lots of great options for parents to choose from.

With current health considerations, changes in camp schedules may occur. So please contact camps directly for the most up-to-date information. Also, this year we have so many amazing summer camp programs to choose from that this article will focus mostly on general summer camps. Sports, arts and science camps will be covered in subsequent issues.

Wesleyan School Summer Camps

Registration opened January 18 so email Director of Auxiliary Programs and Outreach Kelly Weatherly at KWeatherly@wesleyanschool.org to check availability. More information at wesleyanschool.org/programs/summer-camps.

Rising Pre-K
Children spend a fun summer day in small groups based on age and gender. Activities range from introduction to athletics, art projects, crafts, and science experiments. In between rotations, Jr. Wolves can play with Legos, spend time on the playground or in the gym or watch short videos. Jr. Wolves also enjoy limited staff-led tech time. Morning and full day options are available. Snacks and lunch are provided with the full day option.

Rising K-4th
• General Day Camps: Each week of day camp offers a unique theme along with structured activities and free time for playground, gym games and Legos. Morning and full day options available. Snacks and lunch are provided with the full day option.
• Academic Camps: Academic camps are offered by upcoming grade and allow campers to review key subjects and preview upcoming concepts specific to reading, math and school structure. Children will also spend time becoming familiar with campus. Morning options only. Lunch is not included, though campers may join an afternoon day camp with lunch provided.
• Enrichment Camps: These camps are smaller in size and offer children an opportunity to dive deeper into art, movie making, STEM and more. Full day option only, with snacks and lunch provided.

Rising 5-8th
• Academic Camps: The camps will spend time on notetaking, assignment management and test preparation in addition to grade specific review. Children will also become familiar with the Wesleyan School campus.
• Enrichment Camps: Enrichment camps range from babysitting to sewing, forensics to robotics, and more. Morning and afternoon options available. Lunch is not included unless enrolled in combined morning/afternoon option.

Camp All American

Camp All American is the recreational camp ministry of Perimeter Church, created to serve Johns Creek area kids in an enriching, safe environment and give them a memorable traditional summer camp experience. It also has satellite camps at other churches around Atlanta — and even two in South Carolina and one in Florida.

Ten unforgettable camp week sessions are on their way, from May 31 to August 5. When you sign up for camp, your child is divided into smaller “camp groups” depending on gender, specialty and grade completed.

Ages served range from 5 years to 11th graders in the CIT program. Day camp and sleepaway camp options are available. Contact guestservices@campallamerican.com, 678-405-2266 or campallamerican.com. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Brandon Hall School Summer Camps

Brandon Hall School offers many creative, educational experiences for students to plug into this summer, so here are just a couple to think about. Go to brandonhall.org for the full list.

Sustainability Camp
June 13-24
Do you love nature and the outdoor environment? Do you have a love and heart for animals and plants? Brandon Hall would love to teach you more about sustainability efforts on campus and around the Atlanta area. Campers will look at different types of wildlife that naturally graze and grow on the 24-acre nature reserve along the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs, as well as discover about agriculture, composting, greenhouses, rainwater harvesting, raising chickens and more.

Finance Camp
June 13-24
Brandon Hall School will teach how to manage your money using curriculum from Money Matters, Dave Ramsey and Junior Achievement. This summer camp experience will help you build financial confidence in saving, investing and growing your money. You don’t even need money to get started, you just need the desire to have money one day. This camp will be a mix of in-person learning, online resources and activities and project-based learning. Come learn how to deal with your dough!

Camp Evergreen

Camp Evergreen is a Christian camp located in the serene mountains of north Georgia near Lake Burton. It has its own manmade self-contained lake (dubbed Lake Dean) that boasts a blob water feature, as well as a zipline and a swimming hole supervised by licensed lifeguards. Other activities on deck include canoeing, campfires, hiking, horseback riding (for an additional fee) — and the list goes on.

Campers can stay for a four-day day camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that is integrated into ongoing Overnight Camp sessions, or stay overnight in a 4-day, 7-day, 10-day or 14-day stint depending on age. Cost varies depending on the option selected. Information at campevergreen.org.

Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) Spartan Summer Camps

2022 camps will run from June 7 to July 30, with seven week-long sessions available. Go to greateratlantachristian.org/summer-camp/summer-camp for more detailed information.

Grow Day Camp
Summertime holds so much potential, so make sure your child doesn’t waste it in front of a screen. Children will enjoy time on the beautiful GAC campus with top-notch camp staff. Campers will engage in a variety of activities — from soccer and flag football to jewelry making and cheerleading — in addition to daily pool time and weekly field trips. Each week is a little different to keep things exciting. New this year is the GAC clubhouse, where campers will enjoy casual games of ping pong, air hockey, board games and arcade-style basketball. Regular camp hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., though before and after extended hours are available.

THRIVE Day Camp
Thrive camp is tailored for rising 6th to 8th graders, which will convene separately from GROW campers. Middle school is a uniquely different time, so GAC created a line-up that suits the specific needs of this age group. Activities, scheduling, field trips, choice opportunities and even leadership are carefully selected. Let’s get tweens off their phones — but rest assured that they will be among their peers engaging in real relationships and wholesome fun while enrolled in a robust camping program. Several different local ball games, an indoor skating party and a trip to the movies are just some of the field trips planned for maximum adolescent appear.

Camp Rockmont

Camp Rockmont is a Christian summer camp for boys, located in the mountains of North Carolina that focuses on growth in self-confidence, independence, leadership ability and character. Young men come to Rockmont to have fun, make friends and grow as individuals.
Each age group and tailored program is designed to build confidence and self-sufficiency as well as a sense of community, not to mention the many skills and activities that campers will enjoy, including adventure trips, free swim, arts and sports. Information at rockmont.com.

Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA Camps

Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA camps are designed to make summer fun, exciting and safe while focusing on the Y’s values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. The 2022 camps are available from May 31 to July 29, in nine separate week sessions. For more information on dates and pricing, go to ymcaatlanta.org/program-locations/summer-camp/norcross and select the Camp-At-A-Glance tab.

Junior Ranger Camp
This day camp takes place within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. The final July 25-29 week will be held at the Y.
The program includes classic camp activities including archery, swimming, learning character values and making new friends. This camp is for 5 to 12-year-olds and runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Leaders In Training
This teen-focused camp for 13 to 15-year-olds is an opportunity for teens to gain valuable experience in leadership roles. The teens will spend time shadowing and assisting counselors in all the different camp activities. This program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

YMCA Overnight Camps Camp Ocoee in Tennessee

Every day at Camp Ocoee is carefully planned to allow each camper to develop skills through instructional activity times. It also fosters a strong sense of community through several cabin activity periods during which they interact with other cabins. There are many water and land activities available to allow for a fully enriching experience. The Younger Camp is for kids ages 7 to 12. The Older Camp is for ages 13 to 16. More information at ymcacampocoee.org.

Camp Thunderbird in North Carolina

Nearly two miles of shoreline on Lake Wylie provides an amazing backdrop for life-changing experiences at YMCA Camp Thunderbird, a co-ed overnight camp for ages 6 to 16. Just 30 minutes from Charlotte, its ultimate water playground has welcomed campers for over 80 years and has helped kids cultivate individual talents and skills like independence, self-discipline and empathy. Information at ymcacharlotte.org/camps/camp-thunderbird.

Camp High Harbor in two North Georgia locations

Potential campers can’t go wrong with Camp High Harbor at Lake Allatoona or Lake Burton. Camp High Harbor is accredited by the American Camp Association. Each week has a fun theme for campers to look forward to, including Aloha Summer, Time Warp by the Decade and Movie Magic. Find information at ymcaatlanta.org/ymca-locations/camp-high-harbour/.

Camp Westminster near Atlanta

With 120 acres of beautiful woods, Camp Westminster is the perfect place for adventure and learning new skills. For 6 to 16-year-olds, their weeklong sessions are designed with each age group in mind. From the ropes course to horseback riding, to wakeboarding and paintball, cooking, arts, crafts and more, there’s something for everyone at Camp Westminster. The summer fun begins on June 12 and ends July 29, with many sessions available. Information at campwestminster.org.

Camp Woodmont in North Georgia

Located on 170 acres of beautiful North Georgia woodlands on top of Lookout Mountain, Camp Woodmont is a traditional overnight summer camp for boys and girls ages 6 to 14. The program features traditional summer camp activities with an emphasis on nature, outdoor adventure, horseback riding, noncompetitive sports and more. The nondenominational Christian atmosphere is appropriate for children of all faiths. Information at campwoodmont.com.

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Camps

Is your daughter ready for a summer of adventures? Girl Scout Camps inspire curiosity, discovery, and problem-solving. Whether learning to sail, conquering a challenge course, programming robots or developing your roping skills on horseback, girls develop courage and teamwork skills.

Your Girl Scout will have experiences that are hard to get anywhere else: rock climbing, kayaking across a lake, developing a product and ziplining through the forest — all while making friends that last a lifetime. It’s all happening at Girl Scout Summer Camp!

There are lots of great options for your girl scout to take advantage of this summer. There’s Camp Timber Ridge, a day camp 12 miles west of metro Atlanta. This 280-acre camp features rolling hills, forests, and water. Activities include art projects, recreational swimming, STEM programs, high and low challenge course, canoeing and kayaking and outdoor skills.

Or maybe Camp Meriwether is more her speed. Located in Luthersville, Georgia, this sleepaway camp is 270 acres of rolling hills, shady woods and open fields. The place captures the truly unique feeling of “home” for both campers and staff. Meriwether campers explore horseback riding, drama, the arts and adventure. They can also stay cool at the pool and canoe, kayak and paddle board in the pond.

Lastly for in-state camps, there is Camp Misty Mountain located in the northwest Georgia mountains. This sleepaway camp boasts 800 acres of fields, forests and its own lake nestled against the Appalachian Mountains. Activities include western riding, trail riding, target and field archery, mountain hiking trails, outdoor cooking and sailing. Get more information at girlscoutsummer.com.

Camp Glisson

Hit gold in Dahlonega with Camp Glisson! The impressive campus hosts three unique camping experiences. The first is Village, a five-day traditional sleep-away camp at the heart of Glisson’s 90-plus years of ministry. A two-day minicamp option is also available for the youngest campers.

Upon arrival, counselors welcome each camper into his or her Living Group — two counselors and eight to 12 campers who experience the week together as a Christian community. Some of the core experiences to look forward to are morning and evening chapel, as well as activities such as creek hikes, the challenge course, and the waterfront.

Next is Outpost, a camp experience designed to help campers grow their wilderness skills. All campers begin their week at the Outpost site on the other side of Falls Mountain from the Village camp. At this site campers sleep in covered, open-air shelters, participate in counselor/camper-led devotions, learn useful wilderness skills and prepare hot, tasty meals together in the outdoor kitchen.

Lastly there is Sparrowwood, a place for campers with different developmental needs to be accepted for who they are and celebrated for all they have to offer. The age ranges accepted for Sparrowwood are youth (11 to 17), young adult (18 to 39) and adult (40 to 60).
Get more Information at glisson.org.