Camp · Specialty · Ages 14–17 · $2,450/week
Directory · United States · North Carolina · Zirconia
▌ Specialty · Ages 14–17

Talisman Camps - Quest

Talisman Camps - Quest · $2,450/week · ★ 4.5 (58 reviews)

Specialized summer programs for teens with ADHD and learning differences, focusing on adventure and independence.

▌ Editor's read Talisman Camps' website loads successfully, presenting a professional and informative site for specialized summer programs. It is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) with an expiration year of 2025, confirming adherence to industry standards. The camp explicitly states a staff-to-camper ratio of 1:4, which is excellent for a specialized program, and mentions that all staff undergo background checks. Founded by Dr. Robert Smith, the camp has been operating for over 40 years, indicating significant experience in serving campers with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Talisman Camps is an overnight program, and its owner type appears to be for-profit. Google reviews show a rating of 4.7 stars based on 100 reviews, with many parents praising the supportive environment and positive impact on their children. Social media presence includes an Instagram handle @talismancamps and a Facebook page 'TalismanCamps'.
★
ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 198640+ years operating
Register → Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 14–17

Talisman Camps - Quest serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in specialty, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Yes
Established
1986 (40 years)
Operator
Private business
Staff-to-camper ratio
Published by camp see camp site →

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: Specialty
  • Ages: 14–17
  • Hours: 24-hour residential
  • Address: 64 Gap Creek Rd, Zirconia, NC 28790, USA
  • Phone: (828) 697-6313
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: $4550 for 13 days, which is $2450/week. Financial aid is available.

Runs 24-hour residential, 11 sessions (8 one-week, 3 multi-week blocks), from Jun 14 to Aug 8.

Sessions ⛓

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

  • Session 1 Jun 14 – 19, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 3 Jun 21 – 26, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 4 Jun 21 – Jul 3, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,150
  • Session 6 Jun 28 – Jul 3, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 7 Jul 6 – 11, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 8 Jul 6 – 18, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,150
  • Session 10 Jul 13 – 18, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 11 Jul 20 – 25, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 12 Jul 20 – Aug 1, 2026 · 2 weeks · $4,150
  • Session 14 Jul 27 – Aug 1, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950
  • Session 15 Aug 3 – 8, 2026 · 1 week · $1,950

↗ What parents like

  • Specializes in neurodivergent kids
  • Professionally trained staff
  • Off-site expeditions

↘ Watch for

  • High cost
  • Limited session lengths

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: Yes
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: outdoor

Frequently asked about Talisman Camps - Quest

What ages does Talisman Camps - Quest accept?
Talisman Camps - Quest is open to children ages 14–17. 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 Talisman Camps - Quest cost?
Talisman Camps - Quest publishes $2,450/week for the standard session. That sits 26% above the $1,950 median for specialty camps in Zirconia — typical for specialty programs with smaller groups or premium facilities. $4550 for 13 days, which is $2450/week. Financial aid is available. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Talisman Camps - Quest's hours?
Talisman Camps - Quest 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 Talisman Camps - Quest accredited?
Yes — Talisman Camps - Quest is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 40 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 Talisman Camps - Quest?
Talisman Camps - Quest is operated by a private business, with 40 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 Talisman Camps - Quest provide lunch?
Yes — Talisman Camps - Quest 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 Talisman Camps - Quest compare to other specialty camps in Zirconia?
Talisman Camps - Quest is one of 10 specialty camps in Zirconia 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 Talisman Camps - Quest with other camps.

Camps near here

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