Camp High Rocks

What Camp High Rocks does

Camp High Rocks is a private, family-run overnight summer camp founded in 1958 by Sumner Williams Jr. and Jane Bell Williams, operating on approximately 1,100 contiguous acres between DuPont State Recreational Forest and Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, North Carolina. The camp serves boys currently in kindergarten through 10th grade through five layered session tiers — Junior Camp (1-week, $2,325), Mini Sessions (2-week, $5,425), the August Two-Week, the June Three-Week, and the flagship July Four-Week ($8,850) — anchored by a 19-activity curriculum covering whitewater canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking/backpacking, horseback riding, archery, riflery, sailing, ropes course/zip line, disc golf, and traditional camp activities. Supplemental products include an all-inclusive Labor Day Family Camp, Father-Son Weekends, an online Camp Store, and a Campership Fund administered through the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

The operating technology footprint is intentionally minimal: the camper experience is strictly technology-free, while back-office operations rely on a WordPress/WooCommerce website, online registration with eCheck/credit card processing, an SMS opt-in program, an online parent portal, and downloadable forms. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer through owned channels: a self-serve online application ($1,000 non-refundable deposit), inbound phone/email/Request Info, Travel Schedule Meet & Greets in feeder cities, on-site tours, and event-driven acquisition via Father-Son Weekends and Family Camp. All sales are domestic U.S. plus a small number of international campers, managed under a formal priority/waiting list process with a hard cap of 165 campers per session.

Revenue mechanics are anchored in per-session tuition with installment billing (February 1 and April 1), supplemented by Family Camp cabin/house rentals ($2,800-$4,400), Father-Son Weekend fees, the $125 camper store account, camp store merchandise sales, and tax-deductible charitable donations to the Campership Fund. The business operates under ACA accreditation (covering up to 300 standards), U.S. Forest Service Special Use Permits across four National Forests (Pisgah, Nantahala, Sumter, Cheoah), and an A Health Department rating, with current leadership held by Don Gentle, Elizabeth "Zoob" Gentle, and Woody Noland, with founder's son Townsend Birdsong as Director Emeritus.

Name

Camp High Rocks

Legal name

Camp High Rocks, Inc.

Website

https://highrocks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Camp High Rocks is a privately held, family-run overnight summer camp founded in 1958 in Brevard, North Carolina, serving boys K-10th grade through 1- to 4-week adventure sessions on a 1,100-acre property between DuPont and Pisgah National Forests.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Overnight Summer Camp

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ)

Keywords

• Overnight summer camp
• Youth adventure camp
• Residential camp programs
• Outdoor youth education
• Family camping retreats

Headquarters

HQ city

Brevard

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Summer session tuition: Primary revenue stream is multi-week summer camp tuition charged per session. 2026 published rates: Junior Camp $2,325; Mini Sessions $5,425; July Four-Week $8,850; August Two-Week and other two-week/Mini sessions priced lower. A $1,000 non-refundable registration deposit is required with application, with the balance split into February 1 and April 1 installments. Each session includes a $125 camper store deposit added to the April 1 bill. Cancellations before Feb 1 refund the deposit minus $200; no refunds after Feb 1.
2. Family Camp weekend fees: All-inclusive Labor Day Weekend pricing per private cabin side (Friday-Monday): Standard $2,800; Select $3,000; Premium $3,200; House on the Hill and Bird Creek House $4,400. Base pricing covers up to 4 (or 6 for houses) family members; additional attendees $350 each, ages 4 and under free. $500 deposit at registration, balance split Feb 1 and April 1; fully refundable less $100 admin fee until Feb 1, less the $500 deposit through April 1, non-refundable thereafter.
3. Father-Son Weekend fees: Tuition for Father-Son Weekends is due in full with the application; cancellations before April 1 refund all fees less $50, no refund after April 1.
4. Camper store account / merchandise: Each camper is asked to maintain a $125 store account, included in the final April 1 bill, used for personal items such as stamps, batteries, camp T-shirts, replacement toiletries; unused balance is refunded after closing day. The camp also sells merchandise (T-shirts, branded goods) through an online camp store for current families and alumni.
5. Campership Fund donations: Charitable donations to the Camp High Rocks Campership Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina fund need-based camperships for local boys who could not otherwise attend; in 2025 the fund supported 3 local boys. Donations are tax-deductible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Camp High Rocks operates a private overnight summer camp for boys ages 7-16 on a 1,100-acre property with a private lake in Brevard, North Carolina. Founded in 1958, it sells 1- to 4-week camp sessions featuring land and water adventure activities (rock climbing, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking, sailing, ropes course, archery, riflery, etc.) within an intentional technology-free, unplugged environment. Supplementary offerings include Family Camp, Father-Son Weekends, a retail camp store, and a Campership Fund financial-aid program.

Product overview

Camp High Rocks is a single, family-run overnight summer camp (founded 1958, located in Brevard, North Carolina) that delivers its offering through a layered portfolio of seasonal camp sessions supplemented by short-format family retreats and a leadership track — it is not a multi-product SaaS or modular platform. The five core camper-facing products are the Junior Camp (one-week introductory session for K–4th grade), Mini Sessions (two-week sessions for 2nd–6th grade), the August Session (two-week session for 1st–7th grade), the June Session (three-week session for 1st–10th grade) and the flagship July Session (four-week session for 3rd–10th grade). These sessions share a common 14+ activity program (Whitewater Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Whitewater Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Hiking & Backpacking, Horseback Riding, Archery, Riflery, Pottery, Ropes Course/Zip Line, Sailing, Disc Golf, Soccer, Crafts, Fishing, Swimming, Tennis, Basketball, and Boy Scout Merit Badges) and embed an optional Leadership Program for older campers (8th–10th grade). Layered on top of the camper sessions are three supplemental programs: Family Camp (a Labor Day Weekend all-inclusive family retreat with cabins, Kids Club and adult-only activities), Father-Son Weekends (short father-son experience weekends), and the Campership Fund (need-based scholarship). The camp is supported operationally by an online Camp Store (camp merchandise) and alumni programs (newsletters, reunions, alumni updates). The overall offering is delivered from a 1,100-acre technology-free property with deep institutional backing (ACA accreditation, USDA Forest Service Special Use Permit for Pisgah, Nantahala, Sumter and Cheoah National Forests, and an 'A' Health Department rating).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Junior Camp (1-Week Session) A one-week overnight summer camp session designed as an introductory residential experience for younger boys ages 7-16 at Camp High Rocks in Brevard, North Carolina. Sold directly to families for a single week of adventure activities, skill progression, and unplugged camp life.
• Mini Session (2-Week) A two-week overnight summer camp session offered as a shorter-duration entry point within Camp High Rocks' tiered session portfolio, for families seeking an introductory but slightly longer residential camp experience.
• August Session (2-Week) A two-week overnight summer camp session held in August at Camp High Rocks, providing a multi-week adventure residential experience for boys ages 7-16.
• June Session (3-Week) A three-week overnight summer camp session held in June at Camp High Rocks, offering a longer residential experience enabling deeper skill progression, leadership development, and trip-based programming.
• July Session (4-Week) A four-week overnight summer camp session held in July at Camp High Rocks, the flagship full-season experience offering the deepest engagement with skill progression, leadership tracks, and backcountry trips.
• Family Camp A multi-day family overnight camp experience at Camp High Rocks that lets families stay on-site in tiered cabin/lodging options, participate in activities, and use the Kids Club for younger children; doubles as a prospective-family on-site experience.
• Father-Son Weekends A short-form overnight weekend experience at Camp High Rocks for fathers and sons (and prospective camper families) to experience camp life together and connect with the camp's traditions.
• Camp Store (Retail Merchandise) An on-site and online retail merchandise store selling camp-branded apparel and gear (shirts, hats, accessories, camp gear) to campers, families, and alumni.
• Campership Fund A tax-deductible financial-aid and scholarship fund (supported by donations) that enables campers from families who could not otherwise afford tuition to attend Camp High Rocks sessions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Camp enrollment capped at 165 campers; over 500 campers and 100 staff hosted across all sessions in summer 2025.
• +4 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, operational and minor.

• American Camp Association (ACA)coreOthersThe camp is accredited by the ACA following a review of up to 300 operational standards covering staff qualifications, training, and emergency management. ACA collaborates with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies. ACA accreditation is prominently displayed on the camp website and is a key trust signal for prospective families.
• U.S. Forest Service (USDA)coreOthersHolds a Special Use Permit to operate commercial recreation programs on Pisgah, Nantahala, Sumter, and Cheoah National Forests. As a Commercial Permit Holder, Camp High Rocks, Inc. is required to post the USDA non-discrimination statement. Permits are issued for recreation uses serving the public, promoting health and safety, and protecting the environment.
• ShipCampsoperationalOthersShipCamps is the camp's dedicated outbound trunk shipping partner. The camp does not deliver to UPS at the end of the session and is not set up to save boxes or package trunks for another company. Families register outbound shipping via the Ship Camps High Rocks page or by calling Ship Camps at (855) 540-2267.
• North Carolina Youth Camping Association (NCYCA)minorOthersCamp High Rocks is listed as a member camp of the NCYCA, with the NCYCA logo displayed on the camp's homepage alongside the ACA accreditation logo.
• TravMark (trip insurance referral)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTravMark is referenced on the Registration Policies page as a reliable company offering trip insurance to cover unexpected cancellations, including COVID-19-related reasons. The camp recommends that families sign up before paying in full and at least 60-90 days before camp begins.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Camp Mondamin: Historic boys-only overnight camp in Tuxedo, North Carolina — the camp where Camp High Rocks co-founder Jane Bell Williams grew up. Comparable as a multi-generational, family-stewarded boys' camp with a similar equestrian and adventure heritage and similar geographic draw.
• Camp Tekoa: Methodist-affiliated coed overnight camp in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Comparable on multi-week session structure, traditional adventure activities (climbing, paddling, ropes course), and Western NC regional draw, though with a religious-affiliation overlay.
• Camp Carolina: Long-running boys-only overnight camp located in Brevard, North Carolina — the same town as Camp High Rocks. Comparable on activity mix (climbing, paddling, mountain biking, team sports), multi-week session structure, and ACA-accredited family-run operating model.
• Falling Creek Camp: Boys-only overnight adventure summer camp located near Brevard/Black Mountain, North Carolina. Directly comparable on target market (boys ages ~7-16), activity mix (climbing, paddling, mountain biking), camper-to-staff ratios, and regional draw — making it one of the closest direct competitors in the Western NC mountain-camp category.
• Camp Ton-A-Wandah: Girls-only overnight camp located in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Comparable on multi-week residential programming, traditional camp activities, and shared Western NC regional feeder market.
• Camp Green Cove: Girls-only overnight adventure camp in Tuxedo, North Carolina, associated with the same Williams family that founded Camp High Rocks. Directly comparable on multi-generational family-stewardship model, equestrian focus, and Western NC mountain operating context.
• Camp Pinnacle: Coed adventure overnight camp located in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Directly comparable on activity portfolio (climbing, paddling, mountain biking, equestrian), multi-week session lengths, and Western NC feeder geography.
• Camp Rockmont: Boys-only Christian adventure camp in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Highly comparable on target market, size, traditional adventure activity mix, and multi-week residential programming in the same Western NC region.
• Camp Illahee: Girls-only overnight camp located in Brevard, North Carolina. Comparable on multi-week residential programming, equestrian and adventure activity portfolio, ACA accreditation, and shared local feeder geography.
• Camp Glen Arden: Girls-only overnight camp in Tuxedo, North Carolina, operated by the same Williams family lineage that founded Camp High Rocks and Camp Green Cove. Comparable on multi-generational family stewardship, equestrian heritage, and Western NC mountain context.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/camphighrocks
• Xx.com/camphighrocks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/camp-high-rocks-inc.

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Camp High Rocks