FunKidsActivities

Camp Riverlea

8302 S Lowell Rd, Bahama, NC 27503, USA

Overview

Category:Summer Camps
Location:Durham, NC

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Camp Riverlea offers a unique summer camp experience rooted in tradition, family legacy, and deep nature immersion. It provides a 'throwback to simpler times' by getting children fully outdoors, engaging in traditional activities away from technology, and fostering significant personal growth within a supportive, community-focused environment.

Key Highlights

  • Children come home 'dirty, tired and lots to say', indicating highly active and engaging days.
  • Counselors are consistently described as 'very sweet and patient' and the 'staff cares so much'.
  • The camp is family-owned by the original founder's family, maintaining 'deep roots' and 'many of the traditions through the years'.
  • Communication with parents is 'fantastic'.
  • Children are 'fully outdoors, in touch with nature, moving their bodies and learning every minute of everyday'.
  • Provides an 'escape from the hectic, technology driven pace of our modern world'.
  • Offered 'careful and thorough Covid protocols' during the 2020 pandemic, instilling high trust.
  • Features unique activities like 'walking in the river, shooting bow and arrow and doing arts and crafts'.

Standout Features

  • Strong emphasis on outdoor, nature-based activities that encourage physical movement and learning.
  • A technology-free environment, allowing children to disconnect and engage with their surroundings and peers.
  • Consistent and caring staff known for patience and excellent communication.
  • Long-standing family ownership and traditions contribute to a stable and high-quality experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to implement robust safety measures (e.g., COVID protocols in 2020).
  • Offers unique, hands-on activities often missing in modern children's programs.

Perfect For

Excellent for children aged 5-9, with one child attending from age 5 to 9 and loving it.
Activities like 'walking in the river, shooting bow and arrow, and arts and crafts' suggest suitability for elementary school-aged children and possibly into early teens looking for traditional camp experiences.

Ideal For

Parents seeking a traditional, nature-focused summer camp experience for their children.
Children who thrive in outdoor settings and enjoy physical activities away from screens.
Families valuing camps with a strong sense of history, tradition, and community spirit.
Parents who prioritize excellent staff care, communication, and a safe environment.
Children aged 5-9 and beyond who appreciate activities like river walking, archery, and crafts.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • Prepare for children to come home 'dirty' and 'tired', indicating they will be very active outdoors and may need appropriate clothing.
  • This camp is ideal if you're looking for an 'escape' from technology for your child.

Price & Value

Pricing is not mentioned in the reviews, but the consistent 5-star ratings and enthusiastic endorsements from repeat campers and multi-generational families suggest a very high perceived value and a worthwhile investment for the experience provided.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No accommodations mentioned

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Not mentioned in reviews

🚗Parking Info

  • Not mentioned in reviews

👥Crowd Levels

  • Not mentioned in reviews

🛡️Safety Features

  • Described as a 'modernized and well-maintained safe and fun space'.
  • Implemented 'careful and thorough Covid protocols' during the 2020 pandemic, indicating a proactive approach to health and safety.
  • Parental trust is high: 'I trust them completely'.
  • Counselors are 'sweet and patient', contributing to a safe and supportive environment.

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

Open House

June 15th

Staff are expected to work at the Open House, implying it is for prospective campers/parents.

Extended Day Programs

Throughout summer sessions

Staff are expected to work at extended day programs.

Cookout and Sleepout

Unspecified

Program offering for campers.

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Dedicated to providing high-quality outdoors and arts programs.
  • Aims to create safe spaces for all campers throughout the camp experience, including in dressing room areas and bathrooms.
  • Heat Day Precautions are a listed program topic, implying a safety policy.

📅Booking Policy

  • Applications begin in November for summer jobs.
  • Register link available.
  • Summer Session 1 is Full.
  • Summer Session 2 & 3 have Waitlists Open.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 30, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Marlene Montsinger

Marlene Montsinger

2 years ago

My boy is 9 and has been going to camp since he was 5; his favorite weeks of the summer. He comes home dirty, tired and lots to say about his day. Counselors are very sweet and patient. Hubby attended camp when he was little and he worked there too. Its an awesome camp with very deep roots ❤️

Lizz Torgovnick

Lizz Torgovnick

2 years ago

Camp Riverlea is the very definition of "camp" - it's both a throwback to simpler times and a modernized and well-maintained safe and fun space for children. As a former camper, counselor and now the parent of a current camper I am thrilled to see how beautifully the experience has lasted throughout the years. It is still lovingly in the family of the original founder, which makes a huge difference! The staff cares so much, the communication is fantastic, and the children learn and grow so much in just a few short weeks. They are fully outdoors, in touch with nature, moving their bodies and learning every minute of everyday. What a treasure!!!

Jennifer Moore

Jennifer Moore

4 years ago

My daughter has attended this camp for four years now, and we simply love the camp. She has had great experiences every summer. I always think that this camp is an escape from the hectic, technology driven pace of our modern world. Last summer (2020) when the pandemic was just starting, they were so careful and thorough in their Covid protocols, the best of any camp I observed all summer. I trust them completely and appreciate all of the many wonderful summers they've had this camp over the past decades. I hope they continue this camp for many more decades as it is an incredibly positive experience for the campers (and the staff)!

James Nordan

James Nordan

2 years ago

This is the best camp in the area. They have great activities that kids don't do enough of anymore like walking in the river, shooting bow and arrow and doing arts and crafts, just to name a few. I recommend this camp to anyone that asks me about summer camps. This is a great place to make beautiful memories for any child.

Adam Lang

Adam Lang

4 years ago

Wonderful camp! Went here as a camper, worked as a counselor, and now my children attend the camp. The camp is well run and has maintained many of the traditions through the years that make it great. It's a magical place.

Contact Information

8302 S Lowell Rd, Bahama, NC 27503, USA

View on Google Maps

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.8
Total Reviews23
Recent Reviews5