Skip to main content
CHOOSE AN ADVENTURE: Adventure Mountain Off-Road Tours annual passes to the Adventure Center of Asheville Asheville Haunted Trail Asheville Haunted Trail
The Adventure Center of Asheville will host the 12th Annual Zipping For Autism on Sunday, June 4, 2023.
Join us June 4, 2023 for an amazing adventure to raise money for adults and children who are on the Autism Spectrum to attend Camp Lakey Gap this summer.

Jeff and Sheena Greiner, two of the owners of the Adventure Center of Asheville, created this event in 2012.  Their son, O’Reilly, was diagnosed with autism when he was 3. “It’s very important to get an early diagnosis because you can start therapies and treatment at a much younger age,” Sheena said. “And that’s part of what our Zipping for Autism, when we originally started it, was for — diagnostics to help with that.” Knowing the unique challenges of raising a child with autism and recognizing the need for more community resources, they came up with a fun way to raise money.

Zipping for Autism, the first event of its kind in the country has raised over $300,000 since it started.  This year all proceeds will be donated to Camp Lakey Gap in Black Mountain.  Starting with an ambitious project of providing overnight summer camp to people on the autism spectrum, Camp Lakey Gap has grown to include year-round offerings to support the community here in WNC. Funds raised by Zipping for Autism will help Camp Lakey Gap sponsor and expand recreational and therapeutic groups for autistic children, vocational training opportunities for autistic adults, friend groups for autistic adults, and educational presentations and respite opportunities for parents and families.

Zipping for Autism will also fund camp scholarships for Camp Lakey Gap’s renowned autism residential summer camp program, which has week-long sessions serving both children and adults.  The Camp program specializes in building relationships to enhance campers’ quality of life with trained support staff who provide an atmosphere of acceptance and appreciation of each individual while they explore all the activities a summer camp has to offer.

Learn more at www.camplakeygap.org.

To join
Zipping for Autism 2023, book any of these adventures for June 4! 

The proceeds of your adventure will go directly to support scholarships for autistic campers to attend Camp Lakey Gap!

To do this, select the activity you prefer and enter 6/4/2023 in the date section of the “Refine Your Search” box.

Thanks for your support, and see you there!

BOOK ONLINE (via each page link above) or call 877.247.5539- RESERVATIONS ARE SUGGESTED 

Or if you would like to Make a Donation- You can do it here!  Donations this year will be given directly to Camp Lakey Gap. 

(Be sure to put ZFA in the notes line so we can properly thank you!)

The Details

Check In

Please check in at the Welcome Center at the Adventure Center at least 20 minutes before the start of your trip time with signed waivers for all your participants.

What to Wear and Bring!

Dress for the weather! 

  • closed toe shoes are mandatory (tennis shoes are fine)
  • long shorts or pants
  • you may want to wear a collar shirt because of the harness on your shoulders
  • tie long hair back in a low ponytail (as you will be wearing a helmet) and no dangling jewelry
  • bring a raincoat in case of rain (we go rain or shine)
  • you are welcome to bring snacks/food, drinks/water

Cancellations

Cancellation Guarantee
For a 7.5% non- refundable fee,

  • Full Refund except for Cancellation Guarantee Fee for any reservation cancelled by 1pm the day before their Activity.
  • Full Credit in the form of a Voucher for any Activity cancelled the same day scheduled prior to Activity Start time.
  • Freedom to reschedule is unlimited as long as it is done before the activity starting time for any reason including weather.

Standard Cancellation

(if you opt out of the Cancellation Guarantee)

Industry Standard policy to provide a contracted service between a customer and provider. Just like buying a seat on an airplane,purchase an opportunity to ride at a specific time and place.

  • Full Refund except for one $10 reservation fee for any reservation cancelled 14 days in advance.
  • $20 per person cancellation fee for any activity cancelled between 14 and 7 days before the activity.
  • No refund for any reservation cancelled less than seven days before their activity date.
  • Rescheduling will be treated as a cancellation.
  • No refunds for inclement weather.

Weather

We do go rain or shine!  If there is a storm forecasted, we expect guests to show up on time, unless we have called to cancel.  If there is an actual lightning storm at our location, we are watching the radar and may delay the trip time or get everyone down to the ground.  But we treat that as a delay and expect guests to be on time.

Waiver

Waivers SIGNED BY A LEGAL GUARDIAN are required for every participant. Every reservation will receive an email with a link to an online waiver for you to fill out before arrival. Please also share with anyone booked on your reservation. The name on the waiver is the participant and one waiver per person, please. Once the waiver is completed, you will receive a confirmation email. No need to print it out, it will be attached to your reservation at check-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

We used to bring a team to ZFA, what if we want to bring a team this year?

Teams are welcome. This year you just book together on an available trip time. If you would like to donate in addition to the cost of the adventure, you may donate that straight to Camp Lakey Gap.   

What about the weather?

We do go rain or shine. If there is a storm forecasted, we expect guests to show up on time, unless we have called to cancel.  If there is an actual lightning storm at our location, we are watching the radar and may delay the trip time or get everyone down to the ground.  But we treat that as a delay and expect guests to be on time.

Are there food and beverages on site?

Yes. We will be celebrating and offering: grilled burgers and hot dogs, snacks, ice cream, mini donuts, popcorn, and drinks.

Do you have more questions about each activity?

Please visit the activity pages on our website for more description, photos and videos. (Links are above.) Or visit the Adventure Center of Asheville FAQ page.

What Is Autism?

Autism is a way of being that affects a person’s interpretation of and interaction with the world around them. In many cases, the differences associated with autism lead to a range of challenges related to social and communication skills, along with sensory processing differences and difficulty functioning in public spaces. In this way, autism is often thought of as a Developmental Disability – it is a life-long difference that is present from birth which can cause many difficulties across multiple areas of day-to-day functioning. The CDC reports that 1 in 44 children has been identified as having ASD as of 2018 . The need for effective, inclusive services in our community continues to grow.

If you need to cancel and would like your payment donated to ZFA,
please contact our ACA office at 828.225.2921 and let them know.

Support Our Sponsors

Rules and Regulations

Know before you go. Select an attraction below to read the full list of rules and regulations.

Every participant has to be at least 8 years old and weigh between 70lbs-250 lbs. Ages 8-12 require an adult escort.

Read more

Every participant has to be at least 4 years old and weigh less than 265 lbs. Ages 4-9 require an adult escort.

Read more

Every participant must be at least 4 years old, weigh less than 225 lbs. and 6′ 2″ or under.  Ages 4-7 require an adult escort.

Read more

Connect With Us

ZFA Facebook Page

Camp Lakey Gap Facebook Page

Camp Lakey Gap Instagram

OPEN: WED-SUN 10am-5pm

877.247.5539 BOOK ONLINE
BOOK ONLINE

Fun adventures for the full family, Ages 4+