Imagine everything a summer camp should be: kayaking on a crystal-clear lake, shootin’ some hoops with your cabinmates, learning (and possibly failing) at archery, etching your name into cabin walls, eating at picnic tables.

That’s pretty much exactly what Camp Glen Arden (located in Zirconia, N.C., only a 45 minute drive from both GVL and AVL) is for young girls. We got the chance to check it out and to be honest, wanted to post-up for a summer vacay ourselves.

The coolest part about Camp Arden is its history. We found names carved in cabin walls dated allllll the way back to the 1950s. The pool is spring-fed and one of the oldest in the state. The basketball court, built above a waterfall in 1919, is on the National Register of Historic Places (yes, that’s as stunning as it sounds).

Underneath the dining hall is a hangout spot where girls can curl up with a good book (in a library that looks more Grove Park Inn than camp), play checkers and even learn to rock climb.

Camp Glen Arden has plenty of activities for your little artist, sport enthusiast or outdoor adventurer. Interested in learning more? Follow the button below + check out their Insta here.

Glen Arden offers plenty of creative activities to help your girl find her muse (and bring home some artwork for above the fireplace):

Wood carving
Pottery
Weaving
Music
Drama
Dance
More

For those adventure-seekers, Glen Arden offers:

Mountain biking (with bikes that are replaced more than we replace our HVAC filters)
Horseback riding
Archery
Riflery
Rock climbing
Lifesaving
More

Sometimes it’s good to let your daughter go, no-more ‘you have to play soccer’ and let her decide to make pottery. Camp Arden really encourages girls to expand their palette, try new things + learn their worth.

All of this sounds super nice (we know), and you’re probably thinking ‘excuse me, I want to go.’ Well moms, you can. Camp Glen Arden offers a mother/daughter weekend so you and your mini-me can bond + unplug before the school year starts.

Click here for dates, programs, location, history, staff and more.

The basketball court (circa 1919) was built over this waterfall. Yep, those are tree branches holding it up. It's been like that since it was constructed.

Not ready to let them sleep far away? Realize they still need an energy outlet? Here’s some day camps to consider:

🧒 YMCA Day Camps (or check out all of their camps here)

🧒 Greenville County Rec. Day Camps (includes several day camp options + a mountain bike camp)

🧒 Bob Jones University offers over 50 summer camps

🧒 Asbury Hills Camp & Retreat Center is situated on over 2000 acres between Table Rock and Caesars Head + serves over 1100 campers each summer during weeklong sessions focusing on building faith, fellowship and trying new things.

🎨 Don’t want a daily summer camp but want to light that creative spark + get some artwork for the fridge? Check out these summer art camps from the Greenville Center for Creative Arts or theatre camp with the S.C. Children's Theatre.

🔬 Want to get them hyped about science? The Goddard School in Five Forks offers mini-camps for engineering, art + music, robots + coding, physical fitness, detective and cooking.

Want more? Check out Kidding Around Greenville's list here.