Camp · Specialty · Ages 14–17 · $2,450/week
Directory · United States · North Carolina · Zirconia
▌ Specialty · Ages 14–17

Talisman Camps - Leadership

Talisman Camps - Leadership · $2,450/week · ★ 4.5 (58 reviews)

Specialized summer programs for teens with ADHD and learning differences, focusing on leadership and adventure.

▌ Editor's read Talisman Camps' website loads as a real camp site, offering programs for neurodiverse youth. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) until 2025, indicating adherence to industry standards. The camp, founded by Dr. Robert Long, has been operating for over 40 years, demonstrating significant experience in its niche. They explicitly state a 1:2 staff-to-camper ratio, which is exceptionally high and beneficial for their target population, and mention that all staff undergo background checks. The program type is overnight, with a focus on social skills, independence, and adventure activities. Google reviews show a rating of 4.9 stars based on 100 reviews, with many parents praising the supportive environment and positive impact on their children. The camp appears to be a for-profit entity. Social media handles include @talismancamps on Instagram and TalismanCamps on Facebook.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 198640+ years operating
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 14–17

Talisman Camps - Leadership 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 specialty, 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
1986 (40 years)
Operator
Private business
Staff-to-camper ratio
Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Specialty
  • Ages: 14–17
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 64 Gap Creek Rd, Zirconia, NC 28790, USA
  • Phone: (828) 697-6313
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $4550 for 13 days, which is $2450/week. Financial aid is available.

Runs 24-hour residential, 11 sessions (8 one-week, 3 multi-week blocks), from Jun 14 to Aug 8.

Sessions ⛓

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

  • Session 1 Jun 14 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 3 Jun 21 – 26, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 4 Jun 21 – Jul 3, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,150
  • Session 6 Jun 28 – Jul 3, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 7 Jul 6 – 11, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 8 Jul 6 – 18, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,150
  • Session 10 Jul 13 – 18, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 11 Jul 20 – 25, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 12 Jul 20 – Aug 1, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,150
  • Session 14 Jul 27 – Aug 1, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 15 Aug 3 – 8, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950

↗ What parents like

  • Specializes in neurodivergent teens
  • Leadership opportunities
  • Off-site expeditions

↘ Watch for

  • High cost
  • Limited session lengths

Logistics

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

Frequently asked about Talisman Camps - Leadership

What ages does Talisman Camps - Leadership accept?
Talisman Camps - Leadership is open to children ages 14–17. 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 Talisman Camps - Leadership cost?
Talisman Camps - Leadership publishes $2,450/week for the standard session. That sits 26% above the $1,950 median for specialty camps in Zirconia — typical for specialty programs with smaller groups or premium facilities. $4550 for 13 days, which is $2450/week. Financial aid is available. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Talisman Camps - Leadership's hours?
Talisman Camps - Leadership 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 Talisman Camps - Leadership accredited?
Yes — Talisman Camps - Leadership is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 40 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 Talisman Camps - Leadership?
Talisman Camps - Leadership is operated by a private business, with 40 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 Talisman Camps - Leadership provide lunch?
Yes — Talisman Camps - Leadership includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
How does Talisman Camps - Leadership compare to other specialty camps in Zirconia?
Talisman Camps - Leadership is one of 10 specialty camps in Zirconia 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.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Talisman Camps - Leadership with other camps.

Camps near here

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