Give your Belmont child an unforgettable mountain adventure in summer! Camp Tekoa offers Gaston County families the perfect blend of outdoor exploration, spiritual growth, and character development in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains – all just a short drive from home.
Your Mountain Adventure Starts Close to Home
Incredibly Convenient: Just 1.5 hours from Belmont to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, NC. Close enough for weekend visits and easy transportation, yet far enough for a true mountain camp experience. One of the closest quality mountain camps to Belmont!
From Foothills to Mountain Peaks: Your child will experience adventures beyond what's available locally including lake zipline adventures, guided waterfall exploration, rock climbing on natural cliffs, cave exploration, whitewater rafting expeditions, mountain hiking and camping, and evening campfires under starlit skies.
Programs for Every Belmont Child
Young Explorers:
- Mini Camp (Ages 7-9): Sunday-Wednesday sessions perfect for first-time overnight campers
- NEW!! Older Elementary Mini (Ages 9-11): Sunday-Wednesday sessions perfect for the first-time overnight campers
- Elementary TKO (Ages 8-11): Full-week adventure with guided introduction to activities
- Quest (Ages 8-11): Brand new elementary adventure camp featuring ziplining, rock climbing, and paddleboarding
Growing Adventurers:
- NEW!! Middle School Starter Camp (Ages 12-14): Half week program for those older campers who would like to try us out before coming a full week.
- Middle School TKO (Ages 11-14): Features off-site waterfall trips and shelter camping
- Adventure Camps (Ages 12-14): Specialized programs including Survivor (our most popular program), Water Adventure, Cascade (all-girls), Overboard (all-boys), Leap (high ropes focus), and Voyage (caving and rafting)
- Breakout! (Rising 6th graders): Late-night zipline, waterfall hopping, and whitewater rafting
Teen Leadership & Adventure:
- High School TKO (Ages 14-17): Includes whitewater rafting and service projects
- Expedition Extreme (Ages 15-17): Two-week advanced adventure program featuring scuba diving, mountain biking, backpacking, and horseback riding
- Specialized programs including Expedition, Ultimate Challenge, and Water Adventure
Why Belmont Families Choose Camp Tekoa
Close Yet Transformative: All the benefits of a mountain camp without long travel hassles. Our location makes us an ideal choice for Belmont families seeking quality outdoor experiences close to home.
Faith-Based Community: Through daily devotions, community service, and meaningful relationships, campers grow in their faith while having incredible adventures. Everything we do is built around our mission of touching hearts, changing lives, and sharing the light of Christ.
Highly Trained Staff: Our counselors undergo extensive two-week training covering program facilitation, camper management, camp policies, worship and devotions, and specialized certifications including CPR, AED, and First Aid. Staff are trained to be good listeners, react positively to pressure situations, and work well with children of all ages. Our Family Group Leaders live in cabins with campers and serve as mentors, encouragers, and role models.
Summer Program Features
Camp Tekoa will offer eight weeks of programs from June through early August. We feature traditional favorites like talent shows and evening campfires, weekly off-site adventures, and family-style cabin groups led by caring, professionally trained counselors. Our new Quest program gives elementary campers their first taste of Tekoa adventures with ziplining, rock climbing, and paddleboarding.
Outstanding Mountain Facilities
Our 85-acre campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains includes a 3-acre mountain lake, multiple zipline courses, a 40-foot climbing tower, extensive hiking trails, modern and clean cabins, and a dining hall serving nutritious meals. We maintain all equipment to the highest safety standards and hold accreditation from the American Camp Association.
Making Camp Accessible
We offer multiple session lengths from Sunday-Wednesday Mini Camps to two-week adventure expeditions. Financial assistance and scholarships are available through our generous donor program. Our 2% Promise program donates 2% of all registrations directly to scholarship funds, helping dozens of children attend camp each summer. We also offer special Hurricane Helene recovery scholarships for families impacted by the storm. No child should be excluded from the Tekoa experience due to financial concerns. Early registration is recommended as popular sessions fill quickly!
Easy Travel from Belmont
The direct route via I-85S and I-26E makes for a simple, straightforward drive. We offer convenient Sunday check-in times and coordinated arrival and departure schedules. Many Belmont and Gaston County families connect with each other for carpooling and travel coordination.
Weekend Preview Options
Want to see Camp Tekoa before summer? With our convenient location just 1.5 hours from Belmont, many families combine a camp tour with a day trip or weekend in the mountains. Contact us about upcoming preview events and tours.
Opportunities for Belmont Teens
Our Leaders in Training (LIT) program for rising high school seniors provides valuable leadership development experience. This free volunteer program allows teens to log hundreds of volunteer hours for college applications while gaining experience leading games and activities for campers. Summer staff positions are perfect for college students looking to build their resume while making a difference. These roles offer professional development opportunities and are excellent additions to college applications.
Start Your Mountain Adventure
Contact us to learn more about giving your child an unforgettable summer experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains:
- Online Registration
- Phone: (828) 692-6516
- Address: PO Box 1793, Flat Rock, NC 28731
For more information about our programs, visit our Contact Page.
Local Connections
Join our growing community of Belmont and Gaston County campers! We can help connect you with other local families who attend Camp Tekoa for carpooling and travel coordination. Many Belmont-area families return year after year, creating lasting friendships that extend beyond summer.
Church Partnerships
Many Belmont and Gaston County churches partner with Camp Tekoa for youth programs throughout the year. Ask your church youth leader if they have a relationship with Camp Tekoa, or contact us to learn more about our church partnerships. We welcome opportunities to connect with church families throughout the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Camp Tekoa different from other summer camps?
Camp Tekoa combines 75 years of camping tradition with modern adventure programming and a strong Christian foundation. We're accredited by the American Camp Association and operated by the Western NC Conference of the United Methodist Church. Our progressive programming means children can return year after year with age-appropriate challenges that build on previous experiences. We believe every child has the opportunity to grow in their faith, develop skills, explore healthy risks, and learn to live in community.
How are your counselors trained?
All staff undergo extensive training before the summer season begins. Senior Staff complete a two-week training course covering program facilitation, camper management, camp policies and procedures, worship and devotions, staff fellowship, and specialized certifications like CPR, AED, and First Aid. We also offer optional Lifeguard and Ropes Course Facilitator certifications. Our counselors work in pairs as Family Group Leaders, responsible for groups of 12-14 campers. We look for staff who are Christians excited about our mission, enjoy interacting with children, work well in the outdoors, and are ready to laugh, cry, and learn alongside their campers.
What financial assistance options are available?
We believe no child should miss out on the camp experience due to financial concerns. We offer need-based scholarships through our scholarship fund, including our 2% Promise initiative that donates 2% of all registrations directly to scholarships. We also offer special Hurricane Helene recovery scholarships for families impacted by the storm. Families should first contact their church about financial support, and then we can work together to ensure your child can attend camp. Contact our registrar at (828) 692-6516 to discuss options.
What if my child has never been to overnight camp before?
We offer Mini Camp specifically for first-time campers ages 7-14. These Sunday-Wednesday sessions provide a shorter, gentler introduction to overnight camping. Our counselors are trained in age development, behavior management, and proper social interaction techniques to help first-time campers adjust. We maintain regular communication with families throughout the week.
How close is Camp Tekoa to Belmont?
Camp Tekoa is just 1.5 hours from Belmont, making it one of the closest quality mountain camps to your area. The drive via I-85S and I-26E is straightforward and scenic. This convenient location makes it easy for weekend preview visits and provides peace of mind knowing your child is not too far from home while still getting a true mountain camp experience.
