Here's your guide to summer camps in the Fayetteville area in 2024

Lizmary Evans, Fayetteville Observer
Updated ·6 min read

With the Cumberland County School year ending May 24, it's time to start planning for summer vacation.

Summer camps for a variety of interests have opened up registration.

Whether you're seeking an educational camp or one solely for enjoyment, here are several options to explore.

Many summer camps in Cumberland County offer hands-on projects and outings to enrich the learning experience.
Many summer camps in Cumberland County offer hands-on projects and outings to enrich the learning experience.

Fayetteville Parks & Recreation camps

Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation offers 21 distinct summer camps this year ranging from musical theater to football. These are two of their most popular camp options.

Summer Day Camp: Open to children grades kindergarten through 12th, participants meet weekdays at different locations from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., May 28-Aug.16. Cost is $65 per week for residents and $130 for non-residents. The camp offers organized adventures, crafts, activities and a weekly visit to the FCPR pool. Registration opened March 1. To register, call 910-433-1547.

Summer Playground Camp: Open to children grades kindergarten through 12th, participants meet on weekdays at different locations from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m., May 28-Aug.16. Cost is $30 per week for residents and $60 for non-residents. Similar to the Summer Day Camp, this opportunity includes many of the same activities and a weekly visit to the FCPR pool. Registration opened March 1. To register, call 910-433-1547.

Summer camps like those offers at Cape Fear Botanical Garden offer classes focuses on animals and learning about different plant species.
Summer camps like those offers at Cape Fear Botanical Garden offer classes focuses on animals and learning about different plant species.

Cape Fear Botanical Garden

The Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers diverse camp options, including one-day, weeklong and three- and four-day camps. Registration is still open for the following camps.

Seeds of Civilization: Learn how plants have shaped history for thousands of years. The camp is open to children in grades third through sixth, from 1:30-5:30 p.m. June 12-21. Cost is $100 per child and $80 for garden members.

Fungi Discoveries: Dive into these fascinating organisms that often get mistaken for plants and discover the vital role fungi play in the ecosystem. The camp is open to children in grades third through sixth, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 15-19. Cost is $100 per child, and $80 for garden members.

Fantastic Flora: Learn about all kinds of flowers from the stunning lotus to the eerie ghost plant. The camp is open to children in grades third through sixth, from 1:30-5:30 p.m. July 22-26. Cost is $100 per child, and $80 for garden members.

Naturalist Adventure: A multi-faceted camp with activities that incorporate science, art, nature and adventure for campers to enjoy. The camp is open to children in grades sixth through 10th, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 1-3. Cost is $100 per child, and $80 for garden members.

Most summer camps feature games, arts and crafts that many kids enjoy.
Most summer camps feature games, arts and crafts that many kids enjoy.

General interest

Bladen Community College Summer Camp: Bladen Community College in Dublin offers 10 camps with topics like hair care, cosmetology, livestock, horticulture and more. Camp dates range, but the earliest camp starts June 10. The camp is open to children in kindergarten through 12th. Some camps are free, with the most expensive being $50. To register, email krideout@bladencc.edu.

Camp Dixie Super Kids Retreat: This overnight retreat June 14-15 introduces parents and children ages 4-7 to the summer camp experience. You'll stay together in cabins, dine in the hall and play games into the evening. The cost is $50. To register, visit campdixie.com.

Camp Dixie Kids’ Camp No. 1 and No. 2: 373 Bladen Union Church Road. Kids’ Camp No. 1 is for children grades second through fourth June 16-21. Cost is $400.

Kids' Camp No. 2 has an early session and a regular session. The early session is for children grades second through fourth June 16-21. The regular session is for children grades fourth through sixth June 23-28. The cost of each five-day camp is $400.

Camp Dixie Teen Camp No. 1 and No. 2: 373 Bladen Union Church Road. Teen Camp No. 1 is for children grades seventh through ninth June 30-July 5. Cost is $400.

Teen camp No. 2 is for children grades ninth through 12th July 7-12. Cost is $400. Both camps will include a variety of sports, art classes and daily elective classes for teens to explore individual interests. To register, visit www.campdixie.com.

Tug-of-war and other outdoor activities, like sports, are part of the summer camp experience and help build teamwork skills.
Tug-of-war and other outdoor activities, like sports, are part of the summer camp experience and help build teamwork skills.

Sports

Beginner Fencing Summer Camp: The All-American Fencing Academy in the heart of downtown Fayetteville is hosting its annual 2024 Beginner Fencing Summer Camp 10 a.m.-1 p.m., June 14-16. Classes are taught by Gerhard Guevarra, a two-time U.S.A Fencing North American Cup medalist. Cost is $120, with a one-month training add-on option for $70. Bring your own lunch. To register, visit allamericanfencing.com.

Basketball Camp: Hosted by Fayetteville-Cumberland Park & Recreation, this camp is open to children ages 7-14, 9 a.m.-noon July 22-26. The cost is $30 per session. For more information, call 910-433-1547.

Swim Camp: Several summer camps hosted by Fayetteville Park and Recreation focus on learning the basic swimming strokes and growing skills in the water. Camps are separated by age, one group for ages 5 to 10 years old and another for children 11 to 17 years old. The camps are 8:30-10:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday from May to August. The cost is $90 per camp and swimming caps are required. For more information, call 910-433-1547.

Archery is a feature of many summer camps focused on outdoor activities and helps kids learn hand eye coordination.
Archery is a feature of many summer camps focused on outdoor activities and helps kids learn hand eye coordination.

Outdoors

2024 Camp Bowers Summer Camp: 13165 N.C. 53 West. Four summer camp programs run for one week each from June 16-July 13. The cost is $350 for youth and $125 for an adult leader. To register, visit www.scoutingevent.com/452-CampBowers

Outdoor Adventure Weeks: The camp is hosted at Clark Park and open to children ages 8-12, 9 a.m.-noon, June 10-14. The camp includes archery, hiking, canoeing, outdoor living skills, fishing and more for $50. Call 910-433-1547 for more information.

Music

Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra Summer Band Camp: The camp is hosted at the Fayetteville Academy and is for instrumental students 13 and older with at least one year of experience playing a percussion instrument. Registration is open until June 3 and the cost is $300 or $350 with lunch, with scholarship options available. Email operations@fayettevillesymphony.org for more information.

String Sinfonietta Summer Camp: The camp is hosted at the Fayetteville Academy and is for students 13 and under with some experience playing violin, viola, cello or double bass. Registration is open until June 10 and the cost is $250 with scholarship options available. Email operations@fayettevillesymphony.org for more information.

If your camp is missing from the list, email Lizmary Evans at levans@gannett.com to be included.

Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: These summer camps are open in Fayetteville, NC in 2024