For Children

Highlands and Cashiers are great places to raise children and special places for children and grandchildren to visit to create wondrous childhood memories.

What better way for children to spend their time than with Mother Nature or developing their own sense of self through the arts.

Cashiers Recreation Center

Fun 4 Kids Summer Day Camp

This program is held each summer at the Cashiers/Glenville Recreation Center. It is available to all children ages 6-12. Activities include pool trips, field trips, group games, individual games, arts and crafts, and other special programs. This camp runs for 9 weeks in June and July. Approximate registration time is late March/early April. More information on programs is available at: http://www.jacksonnc.org/cashiers-glenville-recreation-center

Highlands Recreation Center

Summer Rec Camp

The Highlands Parks and Recreation Department will begin its summer Recreation camp on Monday June 16th and run until Friday, August 22nd. The camp will be closed the week of June 30th – July 4th. Rec Camp is open to children ages 5-12 years old. (Children must be 5 years old as of June 4th and no older than 12 years old as of August 3rd, no exceptions will be made.) Camp will run from Monday- Friday, 8am-5:30pm. Drop off as early as 7:30. The camp will accept children on a drop in basis. The child must be signed in each day by a parent/guardian and have a complete registration on file. There will be three of four field trips during the summer which will require a small additional charge to cover the entry fee. Notification will be given in advance. More information is available at: http://highlandsnc.org/recreation

Sapphire Valley Resort Kids Camp

The Sapphire Valley Resort Summer Kids Camp will officially begin early June and continue through the first week of August. The time of the camp is roughly from 8:15-5:15, but often times can be adjusted to accommodate the needs of the parents of the campers. It’s for kids between the ages of 5-12 and love to be active!

The camp offers both half day and full day participation and weekly rates are also available. The campers will enjoy a diverse program that typically has minimal indoor time. Educational elements will share time with adequate playtime and the introduction to numerous sporting events. Swimming, tennis, soccer, basketball and golf are included. As campers at the resort, the camper is afforded the opportunity to use and enjoy all parts of the resort. Many outside games will keep the camper both entertained and a full participant in that activity. Nature walks, gem mining, scavenger hunts and even water balloon games are all part of the program.

Most of the counselors are returning this season and all the program has been well received in recent years. Parents do not have to worry about the ratio of leaders to campers, as we strive to keep this area well managed. If you have any questions regarding the camp please call the office at 828-743-1163 or directly to the Kids Camp Headquarters at 828-743-1169. Reservations are required. June thru August.

Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center

The Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center offers activities for the entire family, including winter/summer tubing, gem mining, and trout fishing. For more information, visit their website at: http://www.scalymountain.com/

Highlands Aerial Park

Spend a day in the trees, zip line Highlands, NC’s finest zip line, canopy tour. Highlands Aerial Park truly offers something for everyone. No matter the ages of your family or group, we have activities for everyone, so nobody stays home. For more information, visit their website at: http://highlandscanopytour.com/

Highlands Biological Station

The Highlands Nature Center is a great place for children and adults alike to learn about the natural history of our mountains. The building itself is constructed of local granite and chestnut timbers from our surrounding Nantahala National Forest. Inside, a variety of permanent exhibits include live reptiles and amphibians, and a polished cross section of an ancient hemlock, dating back to 1489 by its growth rings. It also serves as the starting point for several trails and access to the Highlands Botanical Gardens.

In addition, the center has an impressive lineup of programs that offer opportunities to learn about and experience first hand our local wildlife. From Salamander Meanders that take place at night to tours of the gardens and trails to lectures by renowned Conservation leader Bob Zahner. Many of the summer classes are geared specifically towards children. Here is a small sample of what you youngster can enjoy.

Junior Ecologist: They can discover what field biologists do from studying pond life, assessing forest habitats, collecting insects, to taking inventory of small mammals.

Mountain Explorer: Travel off the beaten path and go on hiking adventures to off-site locations in the Nantahala National Forest. They learn to read maps and use a compass while developing teamwork skills.

WOW! (World of Wonder): The natural world is an amazing place, your child will have fun and learn as they play nature games, hike through the woods, search for critters and explore ponds and streams.

Amazing Animals: How do birds fly? What is a mammal? Can a turtle come out of its shell? Are spiders insects? Nature Works- What are the different parts of a forest? What do predators do and eat? What are the basic needs of wildlife? Your child will learn the inner workings of “mother nature” through various interactive games and activities.

Space is limited for all the classes, so be sure to book in advance. For more information, call the Nature Center at 828-526-2623.

Children’s Art Classes

Young artists get special attention at The Bascom when it comes to expanding and using their artistic skills. Throughout the school years, art classes give children a chance to be creative, but the fun doesn’t end there. When summer comes, the art classes are expanded to entertain and educate students from preschool to teenagers.

Artventure Summer Camp: is designed to inspire joy, confidence and pride for children in kindergarten and first grade. Projects use paint, paper, scissors, glue, crayons, pastels, papier-mache, fabric and clay. Work is inspired by personal experiences, observation and imagination.

Art Odyssey Summer Camp: is geared to children in grades two through five. It encourages children to develop a personal expression of art and explores a more in-depth use of materials and artistic techniques. Projects include papier-mache, clay, sculpture, painting and printmaking.

Art Attack Summer Camp: is designed for students in grades six through nine. Students works in mixed media including painting, jewelry, graphics, cartooning, clay, 3-D design and textile. There is emphasis on the purpose of art in society, on the different forms of art and how visual art affects people.

Artrageous: is a young adult independent summer study for high functioning disabled adults. Students come with a pictures or enthusiasm for a project and work in the medium of their choice. The Bascom welcomes participants no matter what level of expertise or high functioning disability.

For more information, contact The Bascom at 828-526-4949 or visit their website at www.thebascom.org.

Youth Drama

Theatre isn’t just for adults in Highlands and Cashiers, children get ot have fun on the stage as well. From full length performances to acting classes, the local theater groups strive to inspire young thespians.

The Highlands Playhouse children’s theater program is usually in July of every summer and includes instruction by theater educators for youngsters between the ages of 6 and 16. The program finishes with a community perfomance.

In addition, both the Highlands Playhouse and the Highlands Cashiers Players productions include roles for younger actors. Auditions are held several months before each performance and thos interested in these roles may contact the Highlands Playhouse at 828-526-2695 or the Highlands Cashier Players at 828-526-8084.

Cliffside Lake and Van Hook Glade

These are only about four miles from Main Street Highlands on Highway 64 West (the Franklin Road). A great place to take the kids for a picnic and a walk in the woods.

Cliffside Lake: Amenities include two covered picnic shelters that must be reserved, a bathhouse with cold showers, a lake for fishing and swimming, a gazebo and six short hiking trails.

Van Hook Glade: Amenities include twenty camp sites in this Forest Service campground with parking spurs, fireplaces, tables and tent pads. Water hydrants and drinking water is available within walking distance of each site. There are flush toilets but no showers.

Gem Mining

Jackson Hole Trading Post: Located 9 miles from Highlands on Highway 64 West (the Franklin Road). Kids love to pan for gemstones. There is also a large gift shop and snacks. The covered pavilion where the “mining” takes place is perfect for all weather fun and it is handicap accessible. They will also cut gemstones and create jewelry.

Horses and Horseback Riding

Carpe Diem Farms:: Nestled on 44 acres Carpe Diem Farms provides a tranquil, natural environment for solitude and holistic programs to enrich the lives of those seeking personal growth. We have served over 1,200 visitors in our after school and summer camp programs for children, as well as weekend workshops for adults. The centerpiece of the program is their herd of seven horses, their equine staff and colleagues. Give them a call at 828-526-2854 to tour the farm, meet the horses, walk the labyrinth, and experience all that Carpe Diem offers. Or visit their website at www.carpediemfarms.org.

Directions: From Highlands take Highway 64 (the road to Cashiers) less than 3 miles from downtown and turn left on Buck Creek Road. Travel 4.9 miles and make a right turn onto Western Rhodes Drive which dead-ends at Carpe Diem Farms.

Arrowmont Stables: One of the best trail programs in the southeast, perhaps even the country. Plus there are comfortable vacation cabins with fireplaces and views. There is also a charming rustic lodge for weddings, receptions, parties, meetings, and fun. Call for information at 828-743-2762

Directions: From the light at the “Crossroads” in Cashiers go north on Highway 107 about 6 miles to Pine Creek Road and a little country Citgo gas station. Turn left at the Citgo gas station on to Pine Creek Road (there’s also a directional sign here for Arrowmont). On Pine Creek Road go about 3.3 miles to the first paved road on right which is Cullowhee Mountain Road.

At Cullowhee Mt. Rd. turn right and go 1 mile to Arrowmont. Turn right into the entrance on to Arrowmont Trail. The front gate may be closed but it is to keep horses in, not people out. There is a sign at the entrance, a sign at the intersection of Pine Creek Rd. and Cullowhee Mt Rd., and a sign at the intersection of Pine Creek Rd and HWY 107. Plan about 30 minutes from Cashiers.

Whitewater Rafting

Nantahala Outdoor Center: Since 1972, NOC has shared the outdoors with millions of guests on white water river rafting trips, with all varieties of kayak and canoe instruction, on mountain bikes and around the world with our adventure travel trips. Located in western North Carolina near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NOC is within easy driving distance of Atlanta, Charlotte and Knoxville. Our world-class staff leads whitewater (some say white water!) rafting trips on nine of the East’s best rivers, including the Chattooga River, Cheoah River, French Broad River, Nantahala River, Nolichucky River, Ocoee River, Gauley River, New River and Pigeon River. Learn to whitewater paddle from the pros in our renowned canoe and kayak Paddling School. We also offer group programs, ropes courses, flat water kayaking, flyfishing and hiking.

Directions to the Nantahala Outdoor Center: Take Highway 64 West (the Franklin Road) to Highway 441 (you will see an overpass). Bear right onto 441 towards Sylva. Just past Dillsboro, NC, 441 merges with US 74. Take 74 West past all Bryson City exits. Eight miles west of Bryson City, the four-lane highway you are on will split into two 2-lane roads. Stay on 74, which is the left lane. Go another five miles. On the last descent you will see a yellow caution sign on the right indicating you are entering the Nantahala Gorge. Just after the sign you will see the Nantahala River, and NOC’s Nantahala Outpost.

Adventure Depot

Adventure Depot’s exclusive trips are limited to small groups and offer a cross section of exciting and inviting activities to make your trip to the mountains of North Carolina an event to remember. Adventure Depot offers fun, and reasonably priced activities, including: whitewater rafting, hiking tours, rappelling, whitewater kayaking, canoe tours, llama trekking, driving tours, fly fishing guides, horseback riding, golf packages, and biking tours. Adventure Depot also offers rentals on all of the outdoor supplies like bikes, canoes, and kayaks that you need to create your own adventures. We also sale adventure gear and fishing supplies like: rods, reels, and flies.

Directions: The Adventure Depot is located at 200 Yellow Mountain Rd in Cullowhee only 4 miles in off of 64, 10 miles from Highlands and about 8 miles from Cashiers. If you need specific driving directions to their location, please call them at 828-743-2052.

Youth Sports

Basketball and soccer are the sports of choice on the mountain. Basketball is the perfect indoor sport when the temperatures drop and the Recreation Park offers leagues for girls and boys as young as seven. During the spring and summer, baseball is still an all-American past time and there is Little League and tee ball for kids as young as five.

The Rec Park also offers swimming through Labor Day weekend, including swimming lessons for kids of all ages. The summer is also camp time and the Recreation Park has a program beginning in June and ending just before the start of the school year. For more information, you can contact the Highlands Recreation Office at 828-526-3556.