Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Girls Summer Camp in Brevard, NC | Camp Illahee
Camp Illahee has been dedicated to creating transformative summer experiences for girls since 1921. Our mission is to foster a sense of community, personal growth, and connection to nature in a safe, supportive environment. With a 3:1 camper-to-staff ratio, we ensure individualized attention and meaningful relationships between campers, counselors, and staff. Our program emphasizes outdoor adventures like lake swimming, creative arts, drama, music, and traditional camp activities set against the backdrop of Western North Carolina's scenic mountains.We maintain cherished traditions while innovating to meet the evolving needs of modern girls, ensuring each camper feels valued, heard, and empowered. Our dedicated year-round team works tirelessly to preserve Illahee's unique spirit as a 'heavenly world' where lifelong friendships and memories are formed.
Services
Swimming Lessons
Arts & Crafts
Drama Programs
Music Instruction
Outdoor Adventures
Details
- Year established: 1921
Highlights and features
- We maintain a 3:1 camper-to-staff ratio for personalized attention
- Our program combines outdoor adventures with creative arts and traditions
- We've served five generations of campers since 1921
- Our mountain setting provides unique natural experiences
- We emphasize counselor role models who nurture camper development
What people say
Lifelong friendships
Supportive environment
Skilled counselors
Beautiful setting
Memorable experiences
Services
Swimming Lessons
Our natural lake swimming program offers structured lessons and free swim times in a scenic mountain setting. Certified instructors teach water safety and swimming skills while emphasizing fun and confidence building. The program operates daily during summer sessions with lifeguard supervision.
Arts & Crafts
Campers explore visual arts through pottery, painting, and craft projects using natural materials. The program encourages self-expression while teaching technical skills. Sessions include both structured projects and open studio time in our dedicated arts facilities.
Drama Programs
Our drama program develops performance skills through workshops, rehearsals, and productions. Campers learn acting techniques, stagecraft, and collaborative storytelling. The season culminates in full-scale musical productions performed in our outdoor amphitheater.
Music Instruction
We offer instrument lessons, vocal training, and ensemble participation. The program includes both traditional camp songs and modern repertoire. Campers showcase their musical talents during evening programs and special themed performances.
Outdoor Adventures
Guided hikes, nature exploration, and environmental education programs utilize our 110-acre mountain property. Activities include wildlife observation, plant identification, and eco-friendly projects that teach stewardship of natural resources.
People
Laurie Strayhorn
Director
Laurie has dedicated her career to creating meaningful experiences for girls at Camp Illahee. With decades of experience in camp administration, she focuses on maintaining traditions while implementing innovative programming that meets modern needs.
Gordon Strayhorn
Co-Director
Gordon brings extensive experience in youth development programs to his role. He works closely with staff to ensure every camper feels recognized and supported, emphasizing the importance of individual attention in the camp environment.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve girls aged 8-17 across six different session lengths ranging from five days to four weeks.
What safety measures are in place?
We maintain a 3:1 camper-to-staff ratio with trained counselors and certified instructors for all specialized activities like swimming and outdoor adventures.
How do you handle homesickness?
Our staff receives specific training to help campers adjust through personalized attention, structured activities, and maintaining regular communication with parents.
What medical facilities are available?
Our health center is staffed 24/7 by licensed nurses and has arrangements with local medical facilities for emergency care when needed.
Can parents visit during sessions?
We encourage families to visit during designated reunion weekends or schedule visits during specific times to minimize disruption to the camp experience.
What makes Illahee unique?
Our combination of tradition, personalized attention, mountain setting, and focus on creating a 'heavenly world' where girls feel truly at home.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Kait Paden
Dec 11, 2020
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We thank you for loving and shepherding Annie through her childhood and early teen years. What an incredible 7 years our she had with you all. You have certainly given her so many tools to go and make her way in the world. We will continue to sing Illahee's praises everywhere we go, as it truly is The Heavenly World!
Julie Smith
Sep 07, 2020
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Toured around it sans campers...closed for summer. My niece's love it! Feels nostalgic and quintessential camp experience. Beautiful surroundings with lots of fun activities they provide.
Greg Mazur
Jun 25, 2020
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Our daughter went to Camp Illahee for 6 years and loved every minute of it. She always looked forward to her time at camp and grew a lot each year form the experience. Every year after the month camp , she would come back more self confident / self assured from all of her positive experiences and challenges. Thank you Camp Illahee and all the counselors for that!
Meredith Harper Pickens
Jul 20, 2019
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My daughter had never been to sleep away camp before but had a fantastic time. The counselors were sweet and caring and she met lots of amazing friends. Wonderful experience.
