Asheville Day Camps & After School Programs
Explore our Adventure and Kolo Bike Park Outdoor Summer Day Camps!
And Kolo Bike Park Instructional Programs: Afterschool Club, Spring Shred Sessions and Intro to Mountain Biking class!
The Adventure Center offers outdoor programs for our youngest adventurers all year!
Learn more about our awesome lineup of Summer Day Camps and Kolo Bike Park Programs offered onsite on our 100 acres just minutes from Downtown Asheville.
The Adventure Center of Asheville is accredited by the Association for Challenge Course Technology.
Our Summer Adventure and Kolo Bike Park Day camps are proudly accredited by the American Camp Association.
Our Kolo Bike Camps and Programs Manager has received his PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association) Level 1 Instructor Certification.
AND we have been listed as America’s Best Summer Day Camps according to Newsweek
in the top 200 across the U.S. for 2024 with a 5-star rating.
Kolo Bike Park Afterschool Club
Kolo Flow After School Club keeps your youth on their bikes and learning new and fresh skills all year long. Club meets Tuesday and Thursdays from 3-6pm. Sign your shredder up for September which will run 3rd-26 and/or October which will run 1st-31st. These sessions will be rain or shine with bike related skills videos and games to keep us entertained no matter what the weather may be. Please be aware you need to bring your own bike, helmet and closed toed shoes every day.
Our afterschool is taught by our Kolo Bike Park Manager who is a PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association) Level 2 Instructor.
- Ages 6-14
- $350 per month
- Book online or call our office (828.225.2921)
Kolo Bike Park Private Lessons
Need to brush up on your skills? Book a private lesson led by our certified mountain bike coach, specially designed to fit the goals of the rider. Instructions could include cornering and basic trail maneuvers, basics of a bike safety check, riding body position, park/trail etiquette, line selection, and whatever else the rider is interested in.
Clinics will be led by our own Kolo Bike Park Manager who has received his certification as a PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association) Level 2 Instructor and will be at Kolo Bike Park.
Cost is $150 for 1st rider, $50/additional rider for a 2 hour custom lesson (includes Kolo Bike Park access). Rentals available for $50. Call our office at 828.225.2921 to book.
2024 Kolo Bike Park Summer Kiddie Camp (ages 6-8)
Kolo Kiddie Camp is all the fun of our Kolo Flow summer camp, but for the younger shredder. Experience a week-long day camp focused on easing campers into all the park has to offer and preparing them to attend our Kolo Flow Camp. The day will focus predominantly on bikes and bike skills but with plenty of time off the bike to keep campers engaged. Riders will be chaperoned around the park by our experienced camp counselors and participate in a wide range of activities that help build confidence on and off the bike. There will be no swim time for this camp.
Campers MUST be comfortable riding a two-wheeled pedal bike off-road. This camp is not for strider balance bikes or to teach your child to ride 2 wheels. Helmets are required each day.
8-year-olds are allowed in either camp. If your camper is a beginner rider or new to Kolo programs please put them in Kolo Kiddie Camp to start with. If your camper is 8, has already attended Kolo Kiddie Camp and is confident in their skills, you may sign them up for regular Kolo Flow Camp if you choose.
(The counselors reserve the right to move your child if we feel the other camp would be a better fit. This is all to ensure your camper has the best experience at Kolo camp and is in the most positive learning situation for their skill level. )
- $439/camper/week
- Ages 6-8
- Weekly June 10-August 5, 2024
- 8:30-3:00 M-F (daily pickup is from 3pm-3:45pm)
- American Camp Association accredited
- Additional weeks or additional children discount is available-use code “multicamp” for $20 off either
- Cancellations made 2 weeks prior to camp date will receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation fee.
- Cancellations made within 2 weeks of the camp date will receive a 50% refund.
- Online bookings will incur a 7.5% processing fee. Call our office if you would like to book your camper and save the cost of the online fee between 10am and 5pm. 828.225.2921
Some weeks are sold out. Please call our office to be placed on the waitlist. 828.225.2921
2024 Kolo Flow Bike Park Summer Camp (ages 8-15)
At the Kolo Bike Park Summer Camp, campers will ride daily on purpose-built mountain bike trails and skill elements designed for all levels of rider to hone and develop their skills. Kolo Bike Park campers will work with our certified and experienced coaches to build confidence on and off the bike.
We dedicate our camp program to furthering your camper’s skills and confidence on their bike. We have tightened our coach-to-camper ratios to allow for more focus on camper progression throughout the week. Our camps are the only American Camp Association accredited biking camps in Asheville. The director of the camp has received his certification as a PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association) Level 1 Instructor. We are excited to share our passion with you and your camper this summer!
In addition to mountain biking, campers can expect to go climbing at the Treetops Adventure Park and play games throughout the week. Campers will also go to the Asheville Racquet Club twice a week to go swimming.
This camp is for kids ages 8-15 years who can comfortably ride a two-wheel bicycle off-road. Camper’s bikes should have handlebar brakes- coaster/pedal brakes are not allowed. If you need to rent a bike for the week, we have a full fleet available.
8-year-old campers are allowed in either Kolo Camp or Kiddie Camp. If your camper is a beginner rider or new to Kolo programs please put them in Kolo Kiddie Camp to start with. If your camper is age 8 and has already attended Kolo Kiddie Camp and is confident in their skills, you may sign them up for regular Kolo Flow Camp if you choose. (The counselors reserve the right to move your child if we feel the other camp would be a better fit. This is all to ensure your camper has the best experience at Kolo camp and is in the most positive learning situation for their skill level. )
- $419/camper/week (Bike rentals are and additional $25/day or $100/week)
- Ages 8-15
- Weekly June 10-August 5, 2024
- 8:30-4:00 M-F, with optional late pick up until 5:00 for $10/day/person
- American Camp Association accredited
- Additional weeks or additional children discount is available-use code “multicamp” for $20 off either
- Cancellations made 2 weeks prior to camp date will receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation fee.
- Cancellations made within 2 weeks of the camp date will receive a 50% refund.
- Online bookings will incur a 7.5% processing fee. Call our office if you would like to book your camper and save the cost of the online fee between 10am and 5pm. 828.225.2921
2024 ACA Summer Adventure Camp Exploration Program (ages 11-13)
Adventure Camp campers get to experience a new and different adventure at the Adventure Center of Asheville each day, including:
- Asheville Treetops Adventure Park
- Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures
- KOLO Bike Park
- Whitewater Rafting
- TreeQuest
Each day campers will also have a water activity, including swimming at the Asheville Racquet Club pool. Then the rest of their day is filled with facilitated activities like team building, outdoor education such as fire building and survival skills, and creative learning led by our talented and trained staff. And of course, lots of fun!!
At the Adventure Center of Asheville, our team of professional outdoor leaders takes pride and care in providing our Guests with an excellent experience. Campers in the Exploration program are given appropriate challenges throughout the day that promote new experiences, self-efficacy, and how to work well on a team.
Our camp counselor team is made up of certified teachers and young adults whose passion is working with youth and sharing their love for life and adventure. Campers are regularly divided into smaller groups to manage group size and allow campers to excel in each activity at their personal skill level and comfort zone. Great care is taken to assure campers are comfortable with each activity while encouraging them to stretch their comfort zone further. Counselors provide individual attention and unique experiences that campers will remember for the rest of their lives!
- $439/camper/week
- Ages 11-13
- Weekly June 10-August 5, 2024
- 8:30 – 4:00 M-F, with optional late pick up until 5:00 for $10/day/person
- American Camp Association accredited
- Additional weeks or additional children discount is available-use code “multicamp” for $20 off either
- Cancellations made 2 weeks prior to camp date will receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation fee.
- Cancellations made within 2 weeks of the camp date will receive a 50% refund.
- Online bookings will incur a 7.5% processing fee. Call our office if you would like to book your camper and save the cost of the online fee between 10am and 5pm. 828.225.2921
Some weeks are sold out. Please call our office to be placed on the waitlist. 828.225.2921
2024 ACA Summer Adventure Camp Discovery Program (ages 8-10)
Adventure Camp campers get to experience a new and different adventure at the Adventure Center of Asheville each day including:
- Asheville Treetops Adventure Park
- KidZip
- KOLO Bike Park
- Whitewater Rafting
- TreeQuest
Each day campers will also have a water activity, including swimming at the Asheville Racquet Club pool. Then the rest of their day is filled with facilitated activities like field games, outdoor education such as forest walks and shelter building, and creative learning led by our talented and trained staff. And of course, lots of fun!!
At the Adventure Center of Asheville, our team of professional outdoor leaders takes pride and care in providing our Guests with an excellent experience. Campers in the Discovery program are introduced to the camp experience through trying new adventures and challenges, growing confidence, and making new friends.
Our camp counselor team are certified teachers and young adults whose passion is working with youth and sharing their love for life and adventure. Campers are regularly divided into smaller groups to manage group size and allow campers to excel in each activity at their personal skill level and comfort zone. Great care is taken to assure campers are comfortable with each activity while encouraging them to stretch their comfort zone further. Counselors provide individual attention and unique experiences that campers will remember for the rest of their lives!
- $439/camper/week
- Ages 8-10
- Weekly June 10-August 5, 2024
- 8:30 – 4:00 M-F, with optional late pick up until 5:00 for $10/day/person
- American Camp Association accredited
- Additional weeks or additional children discount is available-use code “multicamp” for $20 off either
- Cancellations made 2 weeks prior to camp date will receive a full refund minus a $25 cancellation fee.
- Cancellations made within 2 weeks of the camp date will receive a 50% refund.
- Online bookings will incur a 7.5% processing fee. Call our office if you would like to book your camper and save the cost of the online fee between 10am and 5pm. 828.225.2921
Some weeks are sold out. Please call our office to be placed on the waitlist. 828.225.2921
Adventure Center Camps/Clubs
Just 5 minutes from Downtown Asheville
How we are Different
- Our day camps are American Camp Association accredited which is a peer review process that assures that we follow over 200 standards relating to health and safety, risk management, and quality programming.
- The Adventure Center of Asheville is accredited by the Association for Challenge Course Technology.
- Our Kolo Bike Camps and Programs Manager has received his PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association) Level 1 Instructor Certification.
- Our highly trained activity staff and camp counselors offer personalized immersive learning adventures (high adventure, low ropes team building, bike instruction) all year long to over 25,000 guests.
- We are all outdoors on over 100 acres!
- Due to our size, we can offer personalized, age-appropriate small group sessions
- We are in the business of working with kids! We host hundreds of students and campers all year round at all of our adventures! And we are excited to share new skills and experiences with them!
- We are a locally-owned family business that has been offering guided adventures for over 50 years!
Benefits for kids
- Socialization with peers
- Get in the fresh air and off screens
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Add the skills we offer to their tool kit
- Outdoor exercise
- Immersive, experiential learning
- Less $ than a babysitter
- Get the wiggles out
Reports from parents include…
- “children going to bed early exhausted”
- “kids jumping up early excited for the next day”
- “thankful for a place that can offer such great activities”
Reports from campers include…
- “Best Day Ever”
- “ready for the next adventure”
- “a fun rating of #15 on a 10 point scale.”
2024 Adventure Camp Handbook
2024 Kolo Bike Camp Handbook
Camper Eligibility
The Day Camps at the Adventure Center of Asheville want to create a fun, challenging, and nurturing environment for as many campers as possible! In order to provide the best care possible for our campers, we must address our limitations in our programming, staffing, and facilities.
In addition to our age requirements for enrollment, all campers must be able to do the following at a developmentally-appropriate level for their age:
- Communicate needs and concerns verbally with others at a conversational level of English
- Understand and comply with directions given by staff
- Refrain from unsafe and/or harmful behaviors toward self and others (including self-harm)
- Identify and avoid health/safety risks
- Maneuver rugged terrain and distances up to a quarter-mile
- Follow a varied individual schedule and manage free time
- For Kolo Bike Camps, be comfortable riding a pedal bike off-road
- For Adventure Camp, fit into and keep on properly all high adventure equipment including a helmet, harness, and PFDs
- Function in a group setting in a positive and cooperative manner that displays tolerance and respect for self and others.
Kolo Bike Camp and Adventure Camp are not therapeutic programs and are not appropriate choices for youth dealing with behavioral, motivational, or rehabilitation issues. If you are unsure if your camper would be suited for our camps, please reach out to our Camp Director (camps@adventurecenterofasheville.com)and we would be happy to talk more about our program and what we can offer.
About ACA Camps/Afterschool Programs
For over 50 years, The Greiner family has become a prominent leader in the guided outdoor adventure industry in the Southeastern United States. Jeff Greiner, the managing owner of the Adventure Center of Asheville, grew up in the outdoor adventure industry with his family. In 1971, Jeff’s parents started the first whitewater rafting business (Wildwater, Ltd.) in the Southeast on the Chattooga River. That small family business has grown into one of the largest and most respected professional outfitters in the United States with three locations and over 20 different adventures to choose from.
Thirteen years ago, the Asheville Summer Camps at the Adventure Center were created to offer the younger generation an option to get outdoors in the summer months. Our objective is now to offer a wide variety of adventure experiences and active lifestyles while teaching leadership, responsibility, respect for the environment and others, and cooperative skills all year long. No other camp/afterschool program in Western NC offers a wide range of activities and adventures!
Throughout the year, we offer a variety of well-supervised biking clinics and afterschool options for kids ages 6-15 of every skill level. Activities vary but include fun outdoor adventure activities for your child to experience!
Meet our Camp Leadership Posse
Lauren Brown
Lauren has been working with camps for over 17 years! For her 5th summer here at Adventure Camp, she is thrilled to offer a meaningful and adventure packed week for each camper this summer. Lauren has been a summer camp counselor since she was old enough, and has served as a Camp Director for 9 years in her career. She has a deep love for the “magic of camp”, and helping campers grow and experience new things. In 2022, Lauren’s dedication to the ACA Summer Camp Program led us to be accredited by the American Camp Association! When not at camp, Lauren teaches first grade at Fairview Elementary- go Cardinals!
Evan Kearse
Evan grew up in the mountains of Boone, NC, where he learned to mountain bike at Rocky Knob Bike Park and in the Grandfather district of Pisgah National Forest. In highschool he joined his school’s Mountain Bike Club before there was a racing team, and continued riding in college in the rolling hills surrounding NC State in Raleigh, NC. The lack of elevation led trail builders to get more creative and this is where Evan fell in love with flowing jump lines. While at NC State, he also received a minor in Outdoor Leadership and managed the student trips program gaining experience in outdoor education and risk management. After college, he worked as a snowboard instructor in Utah and Oregon refining his teaching skills while riding his bike whenever there wasn’t snow covering the trails. After exploring the country and different styles of riding he decided to come back to Western North Carolina where he became a level 1 PMBIA certified bike coach and is now the Manager of Kolo Bike Park and instructional programs including Flow Camp and Shred Sessions.
What Our Camps Guests Are Saying…
“A friend suggested I sign up my ten-year old for the Kolo Bike Park camp this summer. The kid was already pretty passionate about mountain biking and dirt jumping before, but his experience at Kolo definitely planted the seeds of a lifelong love for riding his bike. He particularly enjoyed being coached by his camp counselor Kevin, who always found the right words of encouragement and helped him to refine his skills on the trails and on jump lines. Wonderful mentorship into play, and someone for my son to look up to. The staff was also super welcoming and very pro-active in helping us to find a new better bike for him. He will definitely be back to ride there again soon.”
“Awesome place for camps for your kids! My kids have participated in both the adventure camp and kolo bike camp. Counselors are fantastic and encourage your kids to try new things and help them build their skills. We will be back even during the fall for more fun and adventures! We’ve gone for years as a family participating in lots of their activities. What a perfect place to get outdoors and moving especially during this pandemic.”
“As locals, we love having a full bike park just 10 minutes from the house–pump tracks, single trails, skill park and friendly, fantastic staff. Our son goes to camp here all summer, and I ride with him several afternoons a week after work. Definitely consider the annual pass, as the more you know the park, the more you realize it has to offer. “
“This is an outstanding place with amazing staff! My son signed up for MTB camp this past summer. When we went to get him on the first day we were immediately met with a huge smile and excitement. My son loved this place. It really was like an adventure for him, teaching various skills and they met him at his level and gave him tools to boost his confidence as a rider. He loved the camp so much we signed him up for another session. I can’t say enough about the good things this camp provides! It’s a wonderful place!!”
“My son did 2 sessions with you this summer and loved it so much he’s trying to become a junior counselor. He really enjoyed being on his bike and especially loved Kevin and all that he learned from him. It was also a great way for him to see his team from ICI in a safe socially distant environment.”
“My 9 year old enjoyed Kolo bike park camp last week – and he is back this week with his 13 year old sister enjoying Adventure Camp. They are having a blast a rating it a “13” on a scale of 1-10. And kids are honest! Great staff. Safe and social distance friendly. Get outdoors and live life!”
“The grounds and pump track are beautifully manicured. Staff is very friendly and they host a great camp for kids!”
“Our son has enjoyed two weeks of bike camp at KOLO this summer. Fantastic time with great counselors. He enjoyed it so much, he wants to be a counselor in training next year.”