Give your Winston-Salem child an unforgettable mountain adventure in summer! Camp Tekoa offers Piedmont Triad families the perfect blend of outdoor exploration, spiritual growth, and lasting friendships in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina – all within a reasonable drive from home.
From Winston-Salem to the Mountains
Accessible Mountain Location: Just a 2.5-hour drive from Winston-Salem to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, NC. The perfect distance for a meaningful away-from-home experience while remaining within easy reach for weekend visits.
Beyond City Life: Your child will experience adventures not available in the Triad:
- Lake zipline adventures
- Guided waterfall exploration
- Professional rock climbing instruction
- Cave exploration
- Whitewater rafting expeditions
- Mountain hiking and camping
- Evening campfires under starlit skies
Programs for Every Winston-Salem 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:
- Middle School TKO (Ages 11-14): Features off-site waterfall trips and shelter camping
- 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.
- Adventure Camps (Ages 12-14): Specialized programs including Survivor, Water Adventure, 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 Water Adventure, Ultimate Challenge, and Survivor
Why Winston-Salem Families Choose Camp Tekoa
Balanced Development: While Winston-Salem offers excellent academic and arts opportunities, Camp Tekoa provides complementary outdoor, social, and spiritual experiences that build well-rounded young people.
Faith-Based Community: Through daily devotions, community service, and meaningful relationships, campers grow in their faith while having incredible adventures. According to research from Sacred Playgrounds, camp experiences create lasting impacts on self-confidence, leadership, frequency of devotional practices, and understanding that faith is relevant to daily life.
Skills for Life: Research shows lasting positive changes including enhanced independence, increased self-confidence, strengthened leadership skills, deeper faith development, and improved social connections. These benefits extend beyond the individual camper to their families, friends, and church communities.
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 145-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 Winston-Salem
The direct route via I-40 W to I-26 E makes for a straightforward drive through beautiful North Carolina countryside. We offer convenient Sunday check-in times and coordinated arrival and departure schedules. Many Winston-Salem families connect with each other for carpooling and travel coordination.
Weekend Preview Options
Want to see Camp Tekoa before summer? Many Winston-Salem families combine a camp tour with a spring weekend in the mountains. Hendersonville and nearby Asheville offer excellent dining, shopping, and cultural attractions. Contact us about upcoming preview events and tours.
Opportunities for Winston-Salem Teens
Our Leaders in Training (LIT) program for rising high school seniors provides valuable leadership development experience. 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
Many Winston-Salem-area families return year after year, creating lasting friendships that extend beyond summer.
Church Partnerships
Many Winston-Salem and Triad-area 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 serve congregations across the Piedmont region and welcome opportunities to connect with new church families.
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 associated with 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. Everything we do is built around our mission of touching hearts, changing lives, and sharing the light of Christ.
How do you ensure my child's safety during adventure activities?
Safety is our top priority. All staff members undergo extensive training in their activity areas, and we maintain strict safety protocols for every adventure. Our adventure activities include professional instruction, proper safety equipment, and appropriate supervision ratios. We're also fortunate to have 24-hour medical staff on-site during camp sessions. All equipment is regularly inspected and maintained to the highest standards.
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 to help first-time campers adjust, and we maintain regular communication with families throughout the week. Many first-time campers return for full-week sessions the following summer!
Can my child attend with friends from Winston-Salem?
Absolutely! Many Winston-Salem children attend together, and we're happy to place friends in the same cabin but limited to one pair per request. This helps ease any nervousness about camp while still providing opportunities to make new friends.
