YMCA Camp Cheerio
YMCA Camp Cheerio offers traditional and adventure camps for youth in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with a focus on...
▌ Editor's read YMCA Camp Cheerio's website loads successfully, presenting a comprehensive overview of its programs. It is ACA accredited, with its accreditation expiring in 2025, and holds North Carolina childcare license number 34000003. The camp, a non-profit organization, has been operating for over 75 years, offering traditional overnight camp experiences. The website explicitly states that all staff undergo background checks and extensive training. Google reviews show a strong rating of 4.9 stars based on 293 reviews, with many parents praising the positive impact on their children's confidence and the caring staff. The camp offers a variety of activities including horseback riding, watersports, and arts, emphasizing character development.
Who thrives here Ages 7–16
YMCA Camp Cheerio is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. adventure programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1951 (75 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Adventure
- Ages: 7–16
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 1430 Camp Cheerio Road, Glade Valley, NC 28627, USA
- Phone: (336) 869-0195
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: Costs vary by session length. One week session is $1760, two week session is $3520.
Runs 24-hour residential, 9 sessions (7 one-week, 2 multi-week blocks), from May 31 to Aug 14.
1 open · 8 waitlist
Sessions ⛓
Bookable units published by the camp. Multi-week blocks marked ⛓ are indivisible — register for the full session.
- Session 1 May 31 – Jun 5, 2026 · 1 week · $1,660
- Session 2 Jun 7 – 13, 2026 · 1 week · $1,760 Waitlist
- Session 3 Jun 14 – 20, 2026 · 1 week · $1,760 Waitlist
- Session 4 Jun 21 – Jul 3, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,520 Waitlist
- Session 5 Jul 5 – 11, 2026 · 1 week · $1,760 Waitlist
- Session 6 Jul 12 – 24, 2026 · 2 weeks · $3,520 Waitlist
- Session 7 Jul 26 – Aug 1, 2026 · 1 week · $1,760 Waitlist
- Session 8 Aug 2 – 8, 2026 · 1 week · $1,760 Waitlist
- Session 9 Aug 9 – 14, 2026 · 1 week · $1,660 Waitlist
↗ What parents like
- Traditional and adventure camps
- Located in Blue Ridge Mountains
- Offers family and adult camps
↘ Watch for
- Waitlist for many sessions
- Stayovers not available for all sessions
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about YMCA Camp Cheerio
- What ages does YMCA Camp Cheerio accept?
- YMCA Camp Cheerio is open to children ages 7–16. 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 YMCA Camp Cheerio cost?
- YMCA Camp Cheerio publishes $1,760/week for the standard session. Costs vary by session length. One week session is $1760, two week session is $3520. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are YMCA Camp Cheerio's hours?
- YMCA Camp Cheerio 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 YMCA Camp Cheerio accredited?
- Yes — YMCA Camp Cheerio is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 75 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 YMCA Camp Cheerio?
- YMCA Camp Cheerio is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 75 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 YMCA Camp Cheerio provide lunch?
- Yes — YMCA Camp Cheerio 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.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare YMCA Camp Cheerio with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Sports summer camps guide · Check coaching style, intensity, safety, and logistics.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside YMCA Camp Cheerio.
- Camp Cheerio · North Carolina · Ages 7–15 · $1,710/week
- Camp Cheerio · North Carolina · Ages 7–15 · $1,660/week
- Camp Cheerio · North Carolina · Ages 7–15 · $1,760/week
- Camp Cheerio · North Carolina · Ages 7–15 · $1,760/week
- Camp Cheerio · North Carolina · Ages 7–15 · $1,760/week
- Camp Cheerio · North Carolina · Ages 7–15 · $1,760/week
- Camp Cheerio · North Carolina · Ages 7–15 · $1,760/week
- Camp Cheerio · North Carolina · Ages 7–15 · $1,660/week