Teen Mountains to Surf Adventure Camp

Ride the whitewater from the mountains to the sea in this ultimate two-week adventure! We begin this program by whisking you away to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina where you will hike, bike, and ride the whitewater rapids of the Nantahala River. After rafting and winding your way through these ancient, beautiful mountains, you will fly through the treetops on an epic zipline canopy tour. In between all this excitement you will get to enjoy the landscape at a slower pace as we mountain bike and hike several of the well established trails within the Tsali Recreation Area. Here you will find endless loop trails that flow, bob, and weave their way around the beautiful Fontana Lake.

After a week of following the paths of the lakes and rivers you will follow the flow of whitewater back to the sea and Wrightsville Beach. You will immediately be swept into our WB Surf Camp Teen Overnight Adventure learning to catch, ride, and predict waves in the warm, green waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The whitewater you’ll be riding along the southeast coast of North Carolina will fuel your love for the ocean and instill a lifelong passion for surfing and the environment. In fact, we spend a good deal of time educating all of our campers about the importance of each these crucial ecosystems, their interactions, and human impact on them.

Activities include:

• Whitewater rafting on the beginner friendly Nantahala River in the Great Smokey Mountains
• Mountain biking and hiking the beautiful scenic trails of the Tsali Recreational Area
• Zipline eco-canopy tour of the Nantahala Gorge
• Extensive daily surfing instruction in perfect warm-water beginner beach break waves
• Guided interactive tour of the North Carolina Aquarium
• Tour of the new 10,000 square foot Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital
• Salt Marsh exploration: fishing, seine netting, crabbing, clamming, and species ID
• Surfboard Factory and Shop Tour
• Interactive daily seminars on topics such as wave dynamics, swell prediction, board design
• Earn 5 community service hours
• Surf movies, foosball, volleyball, beach bocce ball, frisbee, and other fun beach games

Below tuition includes all lodging, meals, 24-hour same gender adult supervision, shuttle to and from the Wilmington International Airport (ILM), equipment, professional rafting guides & outdoor leaders, professional surfing instruction (3:1 student to instructor ratio), daily transportation, WB Surf Camp t-shirt, activity fees, Sea Turtle Hospital donation, Surf Camp’s Pre-Surf Stretching Guide, Surfing Etiquette Guide, Sea Turtle/Coastal Conservation Guide, surftificate of achievement, and 8" x 12" group photo. For more specific information about our teen overnight surf camps or to secure your spot now, please call toll free 1.866.844.7873. Enrollment limited to 12 students per session.

2012 Dates:

Click Any Date to Sign Up Now!

June 30 - July 13	ages 13 - 16	$2995
July 21 - August 3	ages 13 - 16	$2995

Itinerary

DAY 1-2: CAMP KICK OFF, ORIENTATION & OVERVIEW OF WEEK
We’ll spend our first night at Wilmington’s premier KOA campground, getting to know each other and eagerly discussing our itinerary for the next two weeks. On Day Two we’ll depart for the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, settling in at our adventure resort for a week of exciting mountain adventures!

DAY 3-4: WHITEWATER RAFTING THE NANTAHALA RIVER
The next two days are spent blasting down the Nantahala River with our adrenaline levels running high! Whitewater rafting is surfing’s mainland cousin, giving us the same rush as wave riding by being driven down Class II and III rapids for 8 miles.

DAYS 5-6: TSALI MOUNTAIN BIKING, HIKING
The Tsali Recreation Area mountain biking trails are world class, and we’ll traverse them under the guidance of a well-known local guide and accomplished biker. The Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains in the world, and we’ll explore them through majestic hikes to scenic waterfalls brimming with beauty.

DAY 7-8: ZIPLINE TOUR, BACK TO WILMINGTON, INTRO TO SURFING TOPSAIL
This trip would not be complete without a jaw-dropping zipline tour over the vast Nantahala Gorge, taking in the spectacle from high above the treetops. While our time in western North Carolina has been nothing short of amazing, it’s now time to surf some whitewater! After making our way back to the coast, we’ll begin the surfing portion of this adventure on Topsail Island where learn from our professional instructors how to catch the most waves and while having the most fun!

DAY 9-11: SURF WRIGHTSVILLE & TOPSAIL BEACHES, NC AQUARIUM, SURFBOARD FACTORY
With each day of surfing, campers see marked improvement while confidence continues to build. Instructors are constantly providing feedback and coaching, and many campers have started paddling into their own waves. Beach cleanups will be conducted each day as we start working towards our five hours of community service. An interactive tour of the North Carolina Aquarium with its 200,000 gallon open ocean tank and surfboard factory round out these epic, action-packed days.

DAY 12-15: TOUR SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL, SURF SESSIONS, LUAU, CLOSING CEREMONIES
More wave-riding and working on new maneuvers fill the final days of camp. You will catch wave after wave, only taking a break to reapply the sunscreen and refuel with some tasty chow! We’ll visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital and get to know the ancient creatures being rehabilitated there. Salt marsh exploration allows campers to learn about this delicate ecosystem and creatures who call it home. The grand finale of camp is a Carolinian Luau with food, games, limbo & hula contests, prize giveaways, and more!

Pictures

Accommodations

For the first night of camp, we’ll stay near the beach in Wilmington, NC. After a heary breakfast, we'll then get on the road for an epic roadtrip across North Carolina.

For our week in the mountains, our campers will be comfortably housed at a comfortable adventure lodge and resort. Surrounded by the rustic beauty of the Smokey Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge portion of the Appalachian Chain, Situated in the Nantahala Gorge on 22 mountain acres, within this idyllic resort there are awesome, hiking trails, mountain vistas, and an amazing waterfall. Each gender-specific bunkroom has its own bathroom with linens provided. With its proximity to so many exciting activities, traveling to and from our destinations is worry-free.

After a week of mountain adventures, we will travel back east to enjoy the whitewater of the warm Atlantic waves. We'll be staying in cozy, air-conditioned cabins, each with their own relaxing porch. Each camper has their own bed, and cabins are gender-specific with counselors rooming in adjacent cabins. An added bonus is the games pavillion, swimming pool, and being just minutes from several of our favorite surf spots and less than a mile from our WB Surf Camp Headquarters. Each camper has their own bed, and cabins are gender-specific with counselors rooming in adjacent cabins.

Reviews

Patrick, Schenactady, NY – “This camp is amazing. The instructors are all amazing and they make you feel comfortable. You make new friends and surfing with them is a lot of fun. This is an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Celeste Reeves, Charlotte, NC – “Surf Camp was an amazing experience and like none other. I had such a fun time there that when I got back home, I was sad that I wasn’t surfing. I will definitely be doing another surf camp next year and can’t wait for the new adventures that await me.”

Simon, Denmark - “In the summers before WB Surf Camp I went to language schools in England, to improve my English. This year I wanted to try something different and I had always wanted to learn to surf. Not only did I have an amazing time with great instructors, meeting a lot of new friends, and being introduced to surfing but I actually learned much more English in Surf Camp than in the language schools I’ve been to previously.”

Kelsey, Fort Laurderdale, FL– “WB Surf Camp was by far the best week of my summer! It made learning to surf fun and by the end of the week I felt like a pro. Everyone there, including the counselors, were a lot of fun to hangout and surf with.”

Taylor, Florissant, Missouri - “I live where there is no ocean, no surf. I love the ocean, and surf. No one in my life really understands me, and can get what I'm talking about surfing and the ocean. When I went to WB Surf Camp, I felt at home instantly. All the things I had to explain, and reconstruct, so that the people at home could get me, were not an issue. Everyone was kind of like me, we "clicked"; they got me. I have never had so much fun. From surfing, to visiting attractions and restaurants, I had the biggest smile on my face. Surfing was so awesome, but it was not the highlight of my trip. The people I met are good candidates for lifetime friends, they were all awesome. I did not want to leave. I felt at home. This was the best summer so far.”

FAQ

If I have never surfed before, is this camp for me?
About 90% of our students have never surfed before, let alone held a surfboard. Our program’s dynamic curriculum is tailored for beginners. The only prerequisites are that you’re ready to have the time of your life and are able to swim.

If I have some surf experience will I get to learn more advanced maneuvers?
Although this camp is designed for the pure beginner, our staff is composed of amazing free surfers as well as competitive surfers, all of whom will be able to coach you to a higher level of wave reading, performance, and creativity in your surfing.

Where will I be surfing?
We have a choice of three barrier islands 30 minutes or less from our accomodations in Wilmington. We surf a wide variety of locations, and we choose the beach with the best conditions for all of our participants.

If I have no whitewater rafting experience, is this camp still for me?
As long as you can hold a paddle, this is for you! We work with professional partners who lead our whitewater rafting excursions for the pure beginner. Just as we keep safety our main priority, so do the companies we work with. Their guides are certified in CPR, First Aid, and Wilderness First Responder. The Nantahala has only Class I-III rapids and all participants are given Coast Guard approved lifejackets and helmets. Again, be ready to have the time of your life!

Do I need to have any ziplining experience?
No, but our zipline partners do maintain that participants must be within the weight limit of 70-250 pounds, be able to lift both arms over their heads, and cannot be wearing a hard or soft cast.

I can ride a bike, but what kind of mountains will we be mountain biking on?
We technically won’t be biking up and down a mountain. Our group will stay together while riding the mellow, flowing, wide-open trails of the Tsali Recreation Area. They are well-established and well-marked trails with clearly laid out maps to plan your adventure.

Will there be pictures of me surfing, rafting, zip lining, and biking that I can purchase?
We will have a photographer taking high quality, high-resolution surfing photos throughout the second week. Your trip leaders will also be taking plenty of photos throughout the week. You have the option of purchasing a photo DVD with all photos from camp. Please refer to your registration materials for details about this option.

Do you provide equipment or should I bring my own?
All equipment is provided. We provide mountain bike rentals, rafting equipment, safety gear for all activities, SPF 50 rashguards, and a variety of surf boards to use.

What are the ages of your overnight campers?
Ages range from 13 to 16 for the Whitewater to Whitewater adventure.

What kind of non-surfing activities will we be participating in?

• Whitewater rafting on the beginner friendly Nantahala River in the Great Smokey Mountains
• Mountain biking and hiking the beautiful scenic trails of the Tsali Recreational Area
• Zipline eco-canopy tour of the Nantahala Gorge
• Guided interactive tour of the North Carolina Aquarium
• Tour of the brand new 10,000 square foot Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital
• Salt Marsh exploration: fishing, seine netting, crabbing, clamming and species ID
• Interactive, daily seminars about topics such as wave dynamics, swell prediction, and environmental awareness
• Community service
• Volleyball and other beach games

How old are the campers I will be rooming with?
Roommates are grouped together by age in order to enhance the overall level of comfort.

What are the cabins like at the KOA?
We'll be staying in cozy, air-conditioned cabins, each with their own relaxing porch. Each camper has their own bed, and cabins are gender-specific with counselors rooming in adjacent cabins. Linens are not provided; each camper will need to bring a pillow, set of twin sheets, and either a sleeping bag or blanket.

What is the nearest airport and do you have a shuttle service?
Campers fly into the Wilmington International Airport (ILM). Our counselors meet inbound campers at baggage claim. For departing flights, counselors stay at the airport until each camper’s flight has taken off. Our office stays attuned to any delays or cancellations to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

How long does it take to get to the mountains?
North Carolina is the widest state east of the Mississippi, so it will take between 6.5 - 7.5 hours to travel to our accommodations. We will cross through some very diverse ecosystems from the coastal plain, through the piedmont, and into the mountains, so the scenery is always diverse and enjoyable. We'll also stop to picnic and take in the different habitats as we go.

What if I can’t get in by the set check in time?
In order to avoid missing any planned activities, campers should schedule their arrival in Wilmington between 1:00 - 2:00 pm on the first day of camp, and should arrange to depart between 3:00 - 4:00 pm on the last day of camp. Please contact our Program Coordinator to discuss arrivals and departures outside of our preferred times.

How much spending money should I bring?
We recommend campers bring $50 to $75 per week of camp. This is for souvenirs or gifts you wish to purchase while at camp.

Do you have insurance?
We carry a comprehensive insurance package, including general liability.