Camp · Adventure · Ages 13–17 · $2,059/week
Directory · United States · North Carolina · Balsam
▌ Adventure · Ages 13–17

Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea

Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea · $2,059/week

SOAR offers adventure-based summer camps and year-round programs for youth and young adults with ADHD and other...

▌ Editor's read The SOAR website loads as a real camp site, offering summer camps and year-round programs for youth with ADHD and learning differences. The camp is ACA accredited, with accreditation expiring in 2025, as confirmed by the ACA directory. SOAR has been operating for over 45 years, founded by Jonathan Jones, and is a for-profit organization. They explicitly state a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:2, which is exceptionally low and suggests a high level of individualized support. The website also mentions that all staff undergo background checks. Google reviews for SOAR indicate a strong reputation, with an average rating of 4.8 stars from over 100 reviews, often praising the positive impact on campers' self-esteem and social skills. The NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea is an overnight adventure program.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 198145+ years operating
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 13–17

Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in adventure, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Yes
Established
1981 (45 years)
Operator
Private business
Staff-to-camper ratio
Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Adventure
  • Ages: 13–17
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 226 SOAR Lane, Balsam, NC 28707, USA
  • Phone: (828) 456-3435
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $5000 / 17 days

Runs 24-hour residential, 22 sessions (0 one-week, 22 multi-week blocks), from Jun 13 to Aug 11.

Sessions ⛓

Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.

  • Session 1 Jun 13 – 23, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,800
  • Session 1 Jun 14 – 30, 2026 · 3 weeks · $5,000
  • Session 1 Jun 14 – 23, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,800
  • Session 1 Jun 14 – 24, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,200
  • Session 1 Jun 14 – Jul 4, 2026 · 3 weeks · $5,700
  • Session 1 Jun 20 – 29, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,600
  • Session 1 Jun 21 – 30, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,900
  • Session 2 Jun 27 – Jul 7, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,800
  • Session 2 Jun 28 – Jul 7, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,800
  • Session 2 Jun 28 – Jul 8, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,200
  • Session 1 Jul 5 – 15, 2026 · 2 weeks · $5,600
  • Session 2 Jul 5 – 21, 2026 · 3 weeks · $5,000
  • Session 1 Jul 6 – 15, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,950
  • Session 3 Jul 11 – 21, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,800
  • Session 3 Jul 12 – 21, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,800
  • Session 3 Jul 12 – 22, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,200
  • Session 2 Jul 12 – Aug 1, 2026 · 3 weeks · $5,700
  • Session 1 Jul 18 – Aug 3, 2026 · 3 weeks · $5,000
  • Session 4 Jul 25 – Aug 4, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,800
  • Session 3 Jul 26 – Aug 11, 2026 · 3 weeks · $5,000
  • Session 4 Jul 26 – Aug 4, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,800
  • Session 4 Jul 26 – Aug 5, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,200

↗ What parents like

  • Specialized for ADHD/LD needs
  • Small group sizes
  • Adventure-based learning

↘ Watch for

  • High cost
  • Specific session dates

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: No
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea

What ages does Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea accept?
Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea is open to children ages 13–17. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea cost?
Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea publishes $2,059/week for the standard session. That sits 17% below the $2,469 median for adventure camps in Balsam, which makes it one of the more affordable options in the category. $5000 / 17 days Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea's hours?
Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Is Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea accredited?
Yes — Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 45 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
Who runs Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea?
Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea is operated by a private business, with 45 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea provide lunch?
Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea does not include lunch — campers bring their own. Most day camps without provided lunch are nut-free or nut-aware, so check the allergy policy before packing. Frozen water bottles double as ice packs and drinks; insulated lunch boxes hold below 40°F for about four hours.
How does Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea compare to other adventure camps in Balsam?
Summer Camp at SOAR - NC Expedition: Mountain-to-Sea is one of 19 adventure camps in Balsam that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

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