Overview

Exploring the wonder of our mountains has always been, and will always be, a big part of YMCA Camp Greenville. The adventure camping programs, the Explorers and the Trekkers, are one-week and two-week sessions designed to incorporate a fun taste of adventure sports for the more active youth.  Participants in either of these programs spend most of their time out in nature learning new skills, seeking adventure and excitement, and discovering new abilities and interests.  In addition, Camp provides all the necessary equipment for these great adventures.

Adventure Specialty Camps:  Whitewater and Equestrian

Whitewater Adventure: Ages 13-15

For the first time we are offering a whitewater paddling intensive adventure.  Participants will work on developing skills as a basic whitewater paddler in a variety of crafts (kayaks, canoes, duckies and/or rafts). Sessions will center on basic whitewater paddling skills and water safety and will progress from our lake to flat water rivers to class two and three whitewater!  Campers will get to sample some of the following rivers: the Green, Nantahala, Tuckaseegee, and French Broad (based on water level and weather).

 Equestrian Adventure: Females only - Ages 9-12

For the first time we are offering a horseback riding intensive camp.  This experience is for girls who want to develop their riding skills and their ability to care for horses. Under qualified leadership, the girls will spend half of each day learning about the care of horses and working on riding skills, and the other half doing fun camp activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, and more.

Explorers

For campers ages 10 to 12.  The Explorer Program offers an adventure sampler for younger campers so that they get a broad taste of exciting adventure activities based out of Camp's 1600 acres. The Explorers program stays primarily on Camp property, with some travel into the neighboring Jones Gap State Park and Dupont State Forest.  The program offers an introduction, with friendly exposure, to exciting activities that they may want to pursue more seriously later on.  

Campers pick 2 two-day adventures, including backpacking, rock climbing and rappelling, mountain biking, and adventure racing.  In addition, they have one day off Camp exploring the surrounding area, seeing natural sights, and finding local swimming holes.  Explorers sleep two nights under tarps (or possibly in hammocks under the open sky-weather permitting) and the rest of the nights in their cabin.  Co-ed groups are common, and we require separate camping/sleeping areas for mixed groups on the trail.  

The two-week Explorer option offers the traditional camp program (with all the fun activities) during the first week and the adventure trips the second week.

Trekkers

For campers ages 13 to 15.  The adventure program allows older campers more freedom in selecting their adventures and to further develop skills in their areas of interest. They spend most of the week trekking through the Carolina Mountains.  A camper's adventure week consists of a three-day adventure and a two-day adventure designed to challenge and inspire.  The trips include mountain biking, rock climbing, fly fishing, canoeing expedition, whitewater activities, mountain exploration, caving, and backpacking. 

Trekkers sleep three nights under tarps (or under the open sky-weather permitting) and the rest of the nights in their cabin. Co-ed groups are common, and we require separate camping/sleeping areas for mixed groups on the trail.  

The two-week Trekkers option offers the adventure trips during the first week and the traditional camp program (with all the fun activities) during the second week. 

Adventure Activities

Explorers

Backpacking: Campers who take this trip will emerge with a new understanding and appreciation for nature and themselves. This adventure will take campers from camp property down into Jones Gap State Park, part of the beautiful and wild Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Through this adventure campers will learn aspects of "leave no trace" camping and gain leadership, self-respect and confidence to handle future challenges.  

Rock climbing: Campers will build confidence as they learn the basics of climbing techniques and ethics.  This adventure utilizes the natural rock cliffs on camp (a true benefit of Camp's amazing landscape) to develop and improve climbing skills.  The top-roped climbs range from relatively easy to difficult and offer amazing mountain views from the top.

Mountain Biking: Mountain biking offers a fun and unique way to explore and tour the trails of camp.  Feel the excitement as you cruise down a forest path and pop over the rocks in your way.  Components of the program include learning bike maintenance, trail maintenance and preservation, improving riding ability and technical skill, as well as all safety considerations of the sport.  

 Adventure Racing : As seen on popular television series, this adventure requires map and compass use as campers race (with counselors) from checkpoint to checkpoint, finding trails, bushwacking through forests, and creating a winning strategy.  This adventure guarantees steep mountainsides, wet stream crossings, thick woods, and wild fun.

Trekkers

Lake Jocassee Canoe Expedition: Lake Jocassee is a large, pristine and crystal-clear mountain lake.  Adventurers will focus on enjoying their surroundings, exploring the lake's coves and peninsulas and developing paddling skills.  The group will camp at a campground accessed only by boat and may enjoy an incredible shoreline, waterfalls, numerous coves, swimming, and learning canoeing skills and basic campcraft. 

Caving: This adventure will have campers walking, crawling (and most likely squirming) through underground passages, while learning about cave geology, ecology and safety.   Those afraid of getting muddy don't belong. Bring extra old and warm clothes and 2 additional sources of light (flashlights) to complement the safety gear that camp supplies.

Fly Fishing: This adventure will combine backcountry camping techniques with lessons and practical experience in fishing. Instructors will teach fly-fishing, casting, fly tying, proper bait use, and if lucky, how to clean a fish. 

Mountain Adventure: Mountain Adventure takes campers to beautiful natural areas and fun-filled places in the Western Carolinas.  The program consists of short hikes to waterfalls, rock slides, swimming holes and other "best kept secrets" the mountains have to offer. 

Whitewater Activities: Our whitewater rafting and canoeing adventure uses professional outfitter companies to take advantage of the superb rivers in our area, such as the Nantahala, French Broad, and Pigeon.  This adventure is great for the whitewater enthusiast! 

Backpacking: Campers who take the opportunity to participate in backpacking will emerge with a new understanding and appreciation for nature and themselves. Trips may range from a simple overnighters to several days and will travel through some of the most beautiful sections of the Blue Ridge. These trips challenge the camper and test the stage for leadership development. Self-respect and confidence are the rewards gained from this exciting adventure.  

Rock climbing: This is truly a confidence building adventure! Campers will begin by learning the basics of climbing techniques and ethics.  This adventure utilizes the natural cliffs on camp property, camp's indoor, all-weather climbing gym, and will travel to some of the Southeast's best climbing sites including Looking Glass Rock, Cedar Rock, and Rumbling Bald!  

Mountain Biking: Mountain Biking offers a fun and unique way to explore and tour the mountains of our area. Components of the program include learning bike maintenance, trail maintenance and preservation, as well as all safety considerations of the sport. Campers improve their riding ability as they tackle the fast and winding trails of Dupont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest.