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.
Asheville Zipline Canopy Tour is composed of 9 ziplines and 1 sky bridge in treetops platforms on adventure towers with views of downtown. Ages 8 and over can enjoy this 2-hour trip. (Please check out the Rules and Regulations before you book.) $79/person
Asheville Treetops Adventure Park is the largest WNC aerial challenge course in the trees with 77 unique climbing, rolling, and swinging elements in a wooded park with smart clips. For ages 4 and over, the Treetops adventure is a 2-hour trip time full of fun! (Please check out the Rules and Regulations, including our escort chart for kids, before you book.) $55/person
Kid Zip is a zipline park created for kids ages 4-10 with 9 zips and 4 climbs. Perfect for families with kids under 10, it is a 2-hour trip time. (Please check out the Rules and Regulations, including our escort chart for kids, before you book.) $55/person
Combo Passes to do two activities are also available!
BOOK ONLINE (via each page link above) or call 877.247.5539- RESERVATIONS ARE SUGGESTED
(Be sure to put ZFA in the notes line so we can properly thank you!)
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.
Dress for the weather!
Cancellation Guarantee
For a 7.5% non- refundable fee,
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. We will be celebrating and offering: grilled burgers and hot dogs, snacks, ice cream, mini donuts, popcorn, and drinks.
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.
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.
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.
Every participant has to be at least 4 years old and weigh less than 265 lbs. Ages 4-9 require an adult escort.
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.
OPEN: 7 DAYS/WEEK | Office 9AM-6PM | Kolo 10AM-6PM
Fun adventures for the full family, Ages 4+
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The Adventure Center of Asheville is located adjacent to the Crowne Plaza Resort at 85 Expo Drive in Asheville.
Take Exit 3A off of I-240 | Off Patton Ave behind Regent Park