Nature Summer Camps: Nature camps and summer camps with nature studies as a major activity

Nature Studies Summer Camps in the Southeast US

Burnt Gin Camp

Residential special needs camp

Wedgefield, South Carolina

Established in 1945

Burnt Gin Camp

Camp Burnt Gin is a statewide camp for children, teens and young adults who have a physical disability and/or chronic illness. Camp Burnt Gin runs four six-day sessions for 7-15 year olds; two six-day sessions for 16-20 year olds and a four-day session for 21-25 year olds. 1 to 2 staff to camper ratio.

A variety of traditional camp activities offered. At Camp Burnt Gin, emphasis is placed on what a child can do rather than his limitations.

Accredited by the American Camp Association

Camp Pinnacle

Residential Coed Summer Camp, ages 7-16

Hendersonville

Established in 1928

Camp Pinnacle

Experience the benefits of a 4-week session in just 2 or 3 weeks! Established in 1928, Camp Pinnacle is a non-denominational, boys and girls summer camp for children ages 7-16. Camp Pinnacle is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in an idyllic wooded setting just outside of Flat Rock, North Carolina. The forested 126-acre campus surrounds private Wolfe Lake. In just a few weeks, your child will have the most fun and memorable summer ...read more

Accredited by the American Camp Association

Rockbrook Camp for Girls

Residential girls' summer camp, ages 6-15

Brevard, North Carolina

Established in 1921

Rockbrook Camp for  Girls

Rockbrook Camp is an overnight summer camp for girls located in the mountains of North Carolina. Rockbrook was established in 1921 and currently is welcoming fourth-generation campers. It offers 2, 3 and 4 week sessions to girls, ages 6 to 16.

Campers choose from a wide variety of activities including horseback riding, arts and crafts, sports and outdoor adventure. Activities include: pottery, weaving, painting and drawing, sewing, rock ...read more

Accredited by the American Camp Association

Camp Green Cove

Residential Girls' Summer Camp, ages 7-17

Tuxedo, North Carolina

Established in 1945

Camp Green Cove

A traditional summer camp for girls on a mountain lake in NC, with a non-competitive wilderness focus. The emphasis is on water (canoeing and kayaking, sailing, and swimming), woods (hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking), tennis, and horses, and includes the opportunity for lots of wilderness trips.

Activities include canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and lots of trips.

Camp Celo

Residential Coed Summer Camp

Burnsville, North Carolina

Established in 1950

Camp Celo

We have provided a fun and enriching experience for children for over 50 years. Our small size and 3:1 camper:staff ratio insures the individual attention needed to have a fulfilling summer. Activities include crafts, wood shop, drama, nature, swimming, inner-tubing, hiking and camp-outs. Older children do 2-4 day backpacking trips. Camp games focus on teamwork and cooperation rather than competition. Our family farm provides exciting "chores" ...read more

Camp Cheerio YMCA

Residential camp with separate girls' and coed sessions, ages 10-16

High Point, North Carolina

Established in 1960

Camp Cheerio YMCA

Located high atop the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwest North Carolina, YMCA Camp Cheerio is the ideal place for persons of all ages to enjoy a camping or retreat experience. Camp Cheerio offers many challenging programs, specifically Summer Resident camps. With over 35 activities to choose from there is something for everyone.

Founded in 1960 by the YMCA of High Point, North Carolina, Camp Cheerio seeks to provide campers with a sustained, ...read more

Accredited by the American Camp Association

Camp Muddy Sneakers

Brevard, NC

Established in 2012

Camp Muddy Sneakers

Camp Muddy Sneakers is based on a philosophy that the best way for children to develop a connection to the natural world is through meaningful and fun outdoor experiences. Our day camp encourages kids to follow their imagination and curiosity as they actively engage with the world around them. Campers get to learn about various ecosystems through experiential activities while exploring the forests and streams of Western North Carolina. We offer ...read more

Camp Hidden Meadows

Residential coed summer camp, ages 6-17

Bartow, West Virginia

Established in 1992

Camp Hidden Meadows

Amazing staff, welcoming community, lifelong friends, & endless fun! Camp Hidden Meadows offers 1 & 2-week sessions for children of all genders ages 6-17.

Our four core values are Confidence, Community, Adventure & Respect. Activities include archery, arts & crafts, pottery, organic farming, robotics, cooking, horseback riding, ziplining, whitewater rafting, fly fishing, rock climbing, basketball, soccer, and more! ...read more

Accredited by the American Camp Association

Camp Chosatonga

Residential Boys' Summer Camp

Brevard, North Carolina

Established in 1977

Camp Chosatonga

For more than 50 years Camp Chosatonga and our sister camp, Kahdalea, have offered traditional and unplugged wilderness experiences in the heart of North Carolina's beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Our Christian faith and values, rich community, incredible staff, and excellent outdoor programs set us apart. Friendships formed here can last a lifetime. Our campus includes rustic open-air cabins, a dining hall, fields, lakes, a gym, equestrian ...read more

Camp Mondamin

Residential Boys' Summer Camp

Tuxedo, North Carolina

Established in 1922

Camp Mondamin

For over 100 years, Mondamin has been a traditional summer camp for boys on a mountain lake in NC, with a non-competitive wilderness focus. The emphasis is on water (canoeing and kayaking, sailing, and swimming), woods (hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking), tennis, and horses, and includes the opportunity for lots of multi-day wilderness trips.

Activities include canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, hiking, rock climbing, ...read more

Camp Crestridge

Residential Girls' Summer Camp, ages 7-17

Ridgecrest, North Carolina

Established in 1955

Camp Crestridge

Girls of all ages are looking for two things. They're looking for adventure and for someone to follow into that adventure. For over 75 summers, Camp Crestridge for Girls has been a place where campers follow role models into the adventure of following Jesus and stepping outside of what is ordinary and familiar to grow in every way. Our mission of "impacting lives for God's glory through discipleship and adventure" emphasizes ...read more

Accredited by the American Camp Association

Turtle Island Preserve Summer Camps

Residential summer camp with separate sessions for boys and girls, ages 8-17

Boone, North Carolina

Established in 1987

Turtle Island Preserve Summer Camps

Turtle Island Preserve is a 1000 acre Nature Preserve, and Wilderness Retreat Center nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near the town of Boone, North Carolina. We offer exceptional education in a totally natural living experience with separate sessions for boys and girls. Using basic outdoor living, we offer activities that breathe life into American Indian and Colonial History as well as natural sciences. Living close to our natural ...read more

Tremont Summer Camp in the Smokies

Coed residential camp, ages 5-17

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Townsend, TN

Established in 1969

Tremont Summer Camp in the Smokies

Imagine splashing around in an icy cold mountain stream, climbing ridges to an unbelievable view, or discovering nature through hands-on explorations, day hikes, and crafts. At Tremont's summer camps, campers can do it all while living and learning inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tremont offers residential summer learning experiences that foster an understanding of the beautiful Appalachian mountains and encourage ...read more

Camp Nakanawa

Residential Girls' Summer Camp, ages 8-16

Crossville, Tennessee

Established in 1920

Camp Nakanawa for Girls offers a program designed to enable each camper to acquire skills in various activities in an atmosphere that develops character and a spirit of unselfishness. It is a fun environment in which to make lifetime friendships and gain true self confidence.

Nakanawa is located on the Cumberland Plateau in Crossville, Tennessee, at an elevation of 2000 feet. With its one thousand acres of forest, fields, and private ...read more

Seacamp

Residential Coed Camp, ages 10-17

Big Pine Key, Florida

Established in 1966

Seacamp

Since 1966, Seacamp is the first program dedicated to the education of youth in marine sciences.
Seacamp's location in the Florida Keys allows for a truly unique marine science program, providing an array of activities under the guidance of academically-trained instructors. Students work at their own level of interest, choosing from 24 different areas of study.

Seacamp's SCUBA diving program is open to qualified ...read more

Accredited by the American Camp Association

KidCycle Club

Coed Day Camp, ages 5-12

Asheville, NC

Established in 2021

KidCycle Club

KidCycle Club Summer Biking Day Camps offer kids aged 5 to 12 in North and South Carolina a way to get immersed into biking fun for a whole week at a time – allowing them to build confidence in new skills and make connections with new friends.

From learning to ride a pedal bike for the first time, to riding a mountain bike on trails for the hundredth time, KidCycle Club Coaches support Riders wherever they are coming from and ...read more

Keystone Camp for Girls

Residential girls' summer camp

Brevard, North Carolina

Established in 1916

Keystone Camp for Girls

At Keystone Camp, our girls can be heard laughing, singing, talking, splashing, jumping, and dancing throughout the summer. For 100 years we've been offering campers the opportunity to explore new interests and forge long-term friendships in a safe, fun, nurturing environment.

We offer a celebrated horseback riding program and a wide variety of other outdoor activities that empower young women, including hiking, swimming, ...read more

Accredited by the American Camp Association