What ages does Camp Merri-Mac accept?

Camp Merri-Mac is open to children ages 6–16. 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 Camp Merri-Mac cost?

Camp Merri-Mac publishes $3,121/week for the standard session. $5,350 for 12 nights Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.

What are Camp Merri-Mac's hours?

Camp Merri-Mac 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 Camp Merri-Mac accredited?

Yes — Camp Merri-Mac is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 90 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 Camp Merri-Mac?

Camp Merri-Mac is operated by a private business, with 90 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 Camp Merri-Mac provide lunch?

Yes — Camp Merri-Mac 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 Camp Merri-Mac compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Black Mountain?

Camp Merri-Mac is one of 5 overnight/sleepaway camps in Black Mountain 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.

▌ Overnight/Sleepaway · Ages 6–16

Camp Merri-Mac

Black Mountain, NC · $3,121/week

Christian overnight summer camp for girls in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

▌ Editor's read Camp Merri-Mac is an ACA accredited overnight camp for girls, with accreditation valid until 2025, as confirmed on the ACA website. The camp has been operating for over 90 years, founded by Minerva and Frank Bell, indicating a long-standing history and experience in youth camping. They explicitly state a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:4 on their 'Safety' page, which is a strong indicator of supervision. The camp also mentions that all staff undergo background checks and drug testing, demonstrating a commitment to safety. Their program is distinctly Christian, emphasizing spiritual growth and character development alongside traditional camp activities. The camp's website provides extensive information on safety, health, and program details, reflecting transparency and thoroughness.

★

ACA-accredited~300 standards audited

⌬

Since 193690+ years operating

Who thrives here Ages 6–16

Camp Merri-Mac sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right overnight/sleepaway fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.

Facts & Credentials

Program type: Overnight camp
ACA accredited: Yes
Established: 1936 (90 years)
Operator: Private business
Staff-to-camper ratio: Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

Category: Overnight/Sleepaway
Ages: 6–16
Hours: 24-hour residential
Address: 132 Merri-Mac Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711
Phone: (828) 669-8767
Email: [email protected]
Cost notes: $5,350 for 12 nights

Runs 24-hour residential, 7 sessions (0 one-week, 7 multi-week blocks), from Jun 1 to Aug 7.

Sessions ⛓

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

Session 1 Jun 1 – 26, 2026 · 4 weeks · $9,150
Session 1A Jun 1 – 13, 2026 · 2 weeks · $5,350
Session 1B Jun 14 – 26, 2026 · 2 weeks · $5,350
Second Session Jun 28 – Jul 10, 2026 · 2 weeks · $5,350
Main Session Jun 28 – Jul 24, 2026 · 4 weeks · $9,150
Third Session Jul 12 – 24, 2026 · 2 weeks · $5,350
Junior Session Jul 26 – Aug 7, 2026 · 2 weeks · $5,350

↗ What parents like

Christian summer camp
Brother camp nearby

↘ Watch for

Waitlist for many sessions
Minimum two-week sessions

Logistics

Lunch provided: Yes
Transportation: No
Financial aid: No
Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Camp Merri-Mac

What ages does Camp Merri-Mac accept?: Camp Merri-Mac is open to children ages 6–16. 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 Camp Merri-Mac cost?: Camp Merri-Mac publishes $3,121/week for the standard session. $5,350 for 12 nights Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Camp Merri-Mac's hours?: Camp Merri-Mac 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 Camp Merri-Mac accredited?: Yes — Camp Merri-Mac is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 90 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 Camp Merri-Mac?: Camp Merri-Mac is operated by a private business, with 90 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 Camp Merri-Mac provide lunch?: Yes — Camp Merri-Mac 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 Camp Merri-Mac compare to other overnight/sleepaway camps in Black Mountain?: Camp Merri-Mac is one of 5 overnight/sleepaway camps in Black Mountain 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 Camp Merri-Mac with other camps.

How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
Day camp vs. overnight camp · Decide whether the format fits your child and schedule.
Packing list and camp prep · Plan gear, medication notes, labels, and drop-off prep.
Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Camp Merri-Mac.

Camp Crestridge · Ridgecrest, NC · Ages 6–17 · $1,775/week
Camp Crestridge - Bear Paw · Ridgecrest, NC · Ages 6–8 · $1,775/week
Camp Crestridge - Bluerock (In-Camp) · Ridgecrest, NC · Ages 14–17 · $1,775/week
Camp Crestridge - Bluerock (Wilderness) · Ridgecrest, NC · Ages 15–17 · $1,775/week
Camp Crestridge - Cumberland · Ridgecrest, NC · Ages 12–13 · $1,775/week
Camp Crestridge - Fox Creek · Ridgecrest, NC · Ages 8–9 · $1,775/week
Camp Crestridge - Hawksbill · Ridgecrest, NC · Ages 11–12 · $1,775/week
Camp Crestridge - Roan · Ridgecrest, NC · Ages 13–14 · $1,775/week