Best Tennessee Wilderness Camps Summer 2025 Directory

CAMP FACILITIES: We have 34 cabins of various sleeping capacity, dining hall, recreation barn, meeting facilities, Retreat Center, amphitheater, outdoor pool, athletic fields, sand volleyball court, 18 post disc golf course, miles of hiking trails, outdoor chapel.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: We can create any type of retreat your group wants, from relaxed mountain to high adventure, including whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River, theme park such as Dollywood, caving at the Lost Sea, lazy river rafting on the Hiwassee River, rock rappelling on Foothills Parkway, as well as our on site activities such as horseback trail riding, mountain bike trail riding, a team challenge course, and a 40' climbing tower with 300' zip line. Enjoy campfires, hoe down/barn party, hayrides, gold panning, gemstone mining, field games, nearby waterfalls and mountain top.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: Leadership/CIT

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Please see our web site for our 2015 reservation form

CAMP FACILITIES: YMCA Camp Ocoee is a wilderness camp. We have 12 open air cabins which to have bathrooms in each cabin. Visit ymcacampocoee.org for more information.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Thanks to generous donors, the YMCA is able to offer camp scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis to anyone who would like to go to camp.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Visit Our Camp Website Link: www.ymcacampocoee.org for more information and to register online.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Early bird specials and scholarships

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): Family camps, overnight teen and adult camps offered; as well as respite.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: Year round therapeutic horseback riding and equine assisted psychotherapy

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Please see our website for details.

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
Always looking for OT, PT, SLP, Music therapist. Also, special needs teachers, para's and nurses

CAMP FACILITIES: Deer Run has 12 Cedar Point cabins and 2 Lakeview Cabins — all equipped with heat and air — and 2 shower houses. Adjacent to the cabins is a dining facility, camp store, several meeting facilities, and recreational activities including paintball, climbing tower, archery and BB guns, low and high-challenge ropes courses, and Spring Valley Lake with sand beach, swimming, zip line, aqua park/blob, 100-ft water slide, canoeing & kayaking. Horseback riding is available to overnight campers.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Deer Run is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nondenominational Christian camp and retreat center. Our mission is to transform lives through a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ while connecting with others in a camp or retreat setting. During our summer camp, campers grow in character, respect, leadership, and build life-long friendships. Deer Run is a member of CCCA (Christian Camping and Conference Association).

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: VolunDeer CIT program.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to attend Deer Run camps and family weekend events. Therefore, the Mission 42:1 Scholarship Funds offers assistance to campers and families who have financial, spiritual, or emotional needs.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: For more info or to register online, go to Our Camp Website Link: www.DeerRunRetreat.org

Married Couples Weekends (3 times per year): For couples in all seasons of marriage — from the heights of love to the depths of struggle. This is a weekend of intentional intimate time together without interruptions and without to-do lists.

Father-Son Adventure Weekend (each August): For all ages. A life-changing, bonding experience with some high powered guy stuff including fishing and archery tournaments, football challenges, wiffle ball derby, recreation, worship & speaker sessions, and more.

Mother-Daughter Weekend (each September): For ages 7 & up. A weekend of memories, fun, and growing together including recreation, organized games, creative crafts, girl fun, worship & speaker sessions, and small group sessions.

Homeschool Family Day Camp (each April): Experience a day of camp with your family including a nature craft, science scavenger hunt, climbing tower, fishing, archery & BB guns, hayride, and more.

Family Camp (2 times per year): Activities will strengthen your relationships, help you connect with each other in new and fun ways,
and create memories that will last a lifetime.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
For a complete listing of camp sessions, dates and fees, please visit our website.

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
Go to Our Camp Website Link: camps.deerrunretreat.org for information and applications for summer staff positions and summer VolunDeer positions (counselors in training).

CAMP FACILITIES: We have CCC built cabins, recreation/dining hall, outdoor volleyball courts, beautiful lake for swimming, canoes, and catered food.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: For information on scholarships and discounts email heather.spiva[AT]tn.gov

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
July 21-27, 2019
$899.99

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
We operate primarily during July, please see our website for specific session dates and prices: Our Camp Website Link: smacamp.com

CAMP FACILITIES: Facilities and accommodations vary from trip to trip.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: The Road Less Traveled as an organization was founded by Jim and Donna Stein in 1991, and has been successfully running safe, exciting, life-changing trips for teens ever since. Both Jim and Donna are still the current directors, and are integrally involved in every single aspect of the company. In the summer, they are on call 24/7, available both to parents as well as to our leaders in the field.

We are an ACA accredited organization with an impeccable track record. We believe in the process of accreditation. It allows us to compare our standards to other professionals in the industry. Our accreditation allows us to follow specific standards related to leader screening including use of application forms, reference checks, personal interviews, work history review, and background checks.

Many years ago, we were the first company serving young adults to require that all leaders have a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) medical certification. WFR training is far more advanced than standard first aid or wilderness first aid. In addition to this certification, we carry extensive first aid kits on all of our programs that include antibiotics and epinephrine. Contents, protocols, and standing orders are reviewed and updated every year by our Medical Director who is an MD.

Since our inception, RLT has been on the cutting edge of technological advances in communication. We began carrying Iridium satellite phones on all of our programs as soon as they were available. Today we continue to carry the latest in emergency communication systems. According to geographic location, programs are equipped with satellite phones, ground-to-air radios, and/or cellular phones providing the possibility of 24-hour access to medical help in case of emergency.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: We offer many need-based scholarships and financial aid packages. Visit Geography of Hope's website to learn more: Our Camp Website Link: www.geographyofhope.org

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): We offer Gap Year, custom trips as well as family programs in the winter, spring, and at the end of the summer. Please contact us at 773-342-5200 with any questions.

OTHER CAMP INFO: Flights, travel arrangements, and other trip-specific information is available on our website.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Visit our Program Chart to see all trips, dates, and prices: Our Camp Website Link: www.theroadlesstraveled.com

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
Trip Leader/Co-Leader

Travel domestically and/or internationally with a group of high-school and/or middle-school students, monitoring and facilitating community service, language/cultural immersion, and/or wilderness adventure trips

Minimum Qualifications
• Minimum of 21 years of age
• Minimum of a bachelor's degree or in the process of completing a degree. Equivalent experience working with teenagers in related field will be considered if not currently enrolled in school
• Experience Previous program leader experience working with and or teaching young people age ranging in age between 12-19. Knowledge of and experience with group dynamics, teaching or facilitating groups, supervision of meal planning, food preparation and cooking, managing logistics. Ability to teach program specific skills, environmental awareness, and related scientific, cultural, and historical knowledge pertaining to the regions through which you will travel and their relationship to each other.
• Strong Physical Condition
• Current CPR for the professional rescuer
• Current Wilderness First Responder, WEMT or EMT certification
• Current Red Cross lifeguard or Swiftwater rescue certifications preferred but not mandatory
• Current unrestricted valid drivers license with no major convictions during the previous three year period; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, hit and run, homicide or assault with a motor vehicle, drag racing, operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, license suspended or revoked within the previous three year period for accidents and or moving violations. Driving record should reflect no more than three moving violations and/or chargeable accidents during the previous three years

• For Adventure Programs: Knowledge of three or more wilderness travel methods. Whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, international trekking, biking, backpacking, technical rock or ice climbing and mountaineering. Mandatory requirements for adventure trips include: the ability to lead groups of students on backpacking trips of three to eight days, ability to comfortably lead through remote wilderness areas. This includes, but is not limited to, backpacking preparations, backcountry travel, route finding, campsite selection, equipment maintenance, Leave No Trace camping techniques in desert and alpine terrain and proper protocol in dense bear country.

All leaders must possess the ability to make prudent decisions in adverse conditions. International Service Learning and Language Immersion Programs: Leaders and must be highly proficient or fluent in the spoken language of the program country (Spanish, etc.) and have extensive experience with community service, international travel, managing multiple responsibilities abroad, experience and/or living abroad, cultural immersion. Knowledge of the following is helpful but not mandatory: Sea Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting, Trekking, Surfing, and Snorkeling

• International Service learning and Language Exposure Programs: Leaders to have extensive experience with community service, international travel, managing multiple responsibilities abroad, experience and/or living abroad, cultural immersion. Knowledge of the following is helpful but not mandatory: Sea Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting, Trekking, Surfing, Snorkeling

• Service Learning Programs: Leaders to have extensive experience with community service, experience managing multiple responsibilities, construction experience preferred. Knowledge of the following is helpful but not mandatory: Sea Kayaking, Whitewater Rafting, Rock Climbing, Hiking, PADI Scuba certified
• Ability and experience supervising co-instructors and participants
• Valid Passport
• Ability to drive a standard transmission vehicle
• Ability to communicate and work with teenagers and co-instructors, and provide necessary instruction
• Ability to creatively schedule programs, facilities, and co-instructors
• Ability to observe participant behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid
• Good character, integrity, and adaptability
• Enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience and self -control
• Ability to follow written procedures as outlined in the leader-training manual
• Ability to support program philosophy and implement procedures
• Ability to work long hours
• Ability and experience in facilitating groups

Specific Responsibilities/Job Description
1. Plan, coordinate and execute daily activities and trip logistics
2. Monitor co-instructor and participant assignments for the day
3. Monitor groups and supervise co-instructors' responsibilities
4. Act as a positive role model for participants
5. Responsible for the relationships with general public, people of the land, and subcontractors
6. Monitor ongoing safety and provide education for co-instructor and participants
7. Supervise the health and safety of the participants and environment
8. Together with co-instructor and participant, plan and execute the evening program
9. Identify and address inappropriate behavior with participant or with other co-instructor, for actions that put health and safety of a participant at risk
10. Together with co-instructor, plan and implement evening program as needed
11. Management of financials and accounting including monitoring of expenditures, record keeping, advances, bookkeeping and end of trip summary of information
12. Management of gear, vehicles, inventory, storage, documentation and end of trip summary information
13. Evaluate co-instructor and perform reviews and summer end evaluations
14. Evaluate program and current season and make suggestions for following season

Dates of Employment
June through August seasonally - recommend early application.

Remuneration
Salary is commensurate with experience/certifications/qualifications. Your salary with The Road Less Traveled includes all food, lodging and transportation from the beginning through close of your trip. We also offer pro-deals on outdoor equipment from a variety of well-known manufacturers.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
Laura Dunmire-Director
2331 N Elston Court
Chicago, IL 60614
employment[AT]theroadlesstraveled.com

Please visit: Our Camp Website Link: www.theroadlesstraveled.com

CAMP FACILITIES: We have excellent cabins for sleeping and lots of places for fun and adventure on our 600 acre property. Check out our website for a full map.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: First and foremost we want campers to feel loved and included at Higher Ground. We get a 80% return rate.

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: We do offer volunteer opportunities for those who are 16 and older who would love leadership skills.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Cost is only $395 for a full week session. Check out Our Camp Website Link: www.HGcamp.com for full details.

CAMP FACILITIES: We are located on the Cumberland River on the Stewart, Montgomery county line. The historical farm house of Maj. Thomas W. Lewis will be the “home away from home”. During the rest of the year it is Lylewood Inn Bed & Breakfast, owned by Mandy Williams. It has 5 bedrooms and one cottage. Children will share rooms and be attended by counselors and monitors. All linens and meals will be provided. Unlike most camps, they will be staying in a home, and learning to work together as a family to accomplish daily chores on the farm.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Mandy’s true passion in life is to watch children grow, learn and reach their full potential in life. She has a unique gift in reaching out to children helping them discover new concepts from a different era. Having spent 30 years doing youth camps, youth ministries and rearing of children she is looking very forward to sharing these ideas and concepts with each camper personally at our Live & Learn Camps. She enjoys cooking, quilting and all forms of country living.

Arlene’s business experience from 20 years at Vanderbilt University in the IT field is crucial in the day to day operations of our camps. She was the Den Leader for both her sons Scout Dens and with the summer Bible School programs. She understands and sees that children need to be independent and self-sufficient. She enjoys crafting, scrapbooking, and family genealogy.

Audrey is a 25 year old college graduate working at the YMCA Child Care Program. She had worked for the YMCA Summer Camp Program, where the children lovingly named her “Ralph”. She is CPR, First Aid and lifeguard certified. She has been a camp councilor at Lylewood Christian Camp since she was 16 years old. Audrey has the ability to relate to children in a way that makes her an instant leader. She enjoys baking, quilting and sewing.

Lara is a 19 year old college student CPR Certified, First-Aid and AED. She has worked at the Lylewood Christian Camp. She enjoys cooking, canning and has a vast experience in gardening. Lara was raised on a farm and has taken care of an animal or two in her day. She loves working with children and has a passion for all crafts.

Autumn is a 20 year old student at Dalton State College from Adairsville, GA. She is currently majoring in Argi-Business. She loves the farm life and enjoys fishing, being outside, sightseeing and helping others. She is CPR trained. Autumn leads a Wednesday night bible class for girls in first through fifth grade at her local church.

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): The formal banquet gives the girls the opportunity to shine with pride while serving dinner to their families. Their accomplishments will be displayed and honored during the awards ceremony.
Cost for Banquet: ***$15 per person
***Camper banquet fee is included with camp cost.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Dates and Costs:
July 26 – July 31th: Live and Learn Camps (Girls ages 8 – 12)
July 12 – July 17: Live and Learn Camps (Girls ages 12 – 16)
Price includes: 16 meals (including Friday night banquet), room linens, snacks, camp shirt, awards and certificates, and camp Insurance.
Cost: $175.00 per camper
Deadlines for application & Payment June 1, 2015
Payment options
Check, Cash or Credit Card

CAMP FACILITIES: Riva-Lake has 10 cabins set along the bluff overlooking our cove and ravine, with some separation for the older campers. Bathhouses are on both areas of the camp. Our lake has a "sunken" swimming pool/dock, docks for sailing and canoeing and a water trampoline. The rustic playhouse has a stunning view of the lake and sunsets, and is home to our basketball court. Equestrian facilities, tennis courts and campfire areas are also on-site.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: CRL was established in 1921 as a premier riding camp, and quickly became a well-known all-around girls' camp in the South. Today, riding is one of many activities offered to our campers. Whether you are a 3rd/4th generation legacy camper or a new camper, you will quickly become part of a special sisterhood. The smaller size of Riva-Lake fosters a lasting bond among the campers, with a special sisterhood among Big & Little Sisters, and our 2 teams (the Marathons and Olympians).

CAMP LEADERSHIP CIT/LIT PROGRAMS: CIT program available for girls aged 16. CITs receive free room & board and are trained to be a counselor, helping in activities and with camper programs.

CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Some financial assistance may be applied for.

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): Fall Family camp weekend in October.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Please see website for the most current dates and pricing.

SUMMER CAMP JOBS:
Staff applications may be found on our website.  We are looking for caring, outgoing and reliable counselors ages 17 and up to mentor the campers and teach activities such as sailing, swimming, canoeing, crafts, dance, basketball, woodslore and tennis.

CAMP FACILITIES: We have two completely seperate camp facilities, Junior Camp and Senior Camp located on opposite sides of our lake. There are cabins with screen doors and windows, central bathhouse, dining hall, open air pavilions, climbing wall, zip line, horse barns, games fields, swimming docks and boating areas.

CAMP PROGRAM INFO: Camp Nakanawa is a traditional, structured camp offering a variety of activities such as Tennis, Soccer, Softball, Archery, Riflery, Fencing, Swimming, Diving, Canoeing, Sailing, Singing, Dance, Drama, Horseback Riding, Golf, Arts & Crafts, Pottery, Climbing Wall, Zip Line, Low Ropes Course, and Nature. There are competitions on weekends and special events and trips through the season. Awards Ceremonies are held at the close of each session in each camp. Please visit our web site for more details or contact us to receive a catalog, DVD and question and answer booklet.

FAMILY CAMP SESSION(S): Mother/Daughter Weekend September 18-20, 2015. Visit Our Camp Website Link: www.campties.org for details.

CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
Two Week Session: 8 to 14 years old completed 2nd through 8th grades June 14th-27th, 2015 Closing Ceremony June 26th.

Four Week Session: 8 to 16 years old completed grades 2nd through 10th June 29th-July 26th, 2015. Closing Ceremony July 25th.