Build and decorate an individual sandcastle to put on display in the library and/or take home. Registration is required (please register each child separately. Limit of 25 children))

Did you know our staff had a wild side? Join a Park naturalist to meet some of our live Animal Ambassadors and learn what kind of wildlife inhabits the Park and their important roles in the ecosystem. Some of our best teachers have feathers, fur, shells or scales!

• 

  LEAF Schools & Streets invites your students to join us at LEAF Global Arts for summer camp!

  There will be three camps which will run 9am to 5pm at LEAF Global Arts Experience Downtown Asheville. Morning drop off is between 8:30am and 9am and pick up is from 5pm-5:30pm. Snacks will be provided, and students should bring a bagged lunch and a water bottle to camp every day.

  We will kick off our first two summer camp weeks with two Hip Hop Dance camps for rising 1st through 6th graders. These camps will be led by LEAF Master Resident Teaching Artist Otto Vazquez, and will introduce students to the stylings, history, and culture of hip hop dance. Mr. Otto is sure to teach your kiddo some smooth moves! This camp runs two separate weeks: June 20th – June 24th, and June 27th – July 1st.

  Cost for these week-long camps is $230 per week. Scholarships are available. Please inquire by emailing Erinn at [email protected].  LEAF Global Arts Summer Camps are made possible by the generous support of LEAF Members and in part by a partnership with Open Doors of Asheville.

Core classes include acting, dance and movement, music, costume design, improv, and physical comedy. Additional classes, daily activities, and instructors vary by session, so join us for one week or several! There will not be a final showcase for Youth Camp. Masks are currently optional for all students, regardless of vaccination status. Campers should plan to bring their own lunch, water bottle, and snacks from home.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

Please do not purchase registration prior to applying for a scholarship. Applications must be received at least two weeks before the first day of the camp session for consideration.

Core classes include acting, dance and movement, music, costume design, improv, and physical comedy. Additional classes, daily activities, and instructors vary by session, so join us for one week or several! There will not be a final showcase for Youth Camp. Masks are currently optional for all students, regardless of vaccination status. Campers should plan to bring their own lunch, water bottle, and snacks from home.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

Please do not purchase registration prior to applying for a scholarship. Applications must be received at least two weeks before the first day of the camp session for consideration.

The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Willy Wonka is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.

Do you have a cereal box or two to spare?

Drop it off this week & we will turn your box into art!

2022 Season will offer Rootabaga Express! on Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10:15 am. Celebrate 100 years of Rootabaga this summer! Published in 1922, the “Rootabaga Stories” have entertained readers and audiences of all ages for 100 years. Use the links at the bottom to read a story or watch part of a play. The Sandburg Summer Stage is a series of free public performances. These 30-minute programs feature the cast and directors from The Vagabond School of the Drama, an apprentice program of the Flat Rock Playhouse. Performances are held rain or shine, at the park amphitheatre near the Front Lake. Rootabaga Express! Carl Sandburg created his own version of American fairy tales when he published Rootabaga Stories (1922) and Rootabaga Pigeons (1923). He replaced the European fairy tale cast of princes, princesses, castles and kingdoms with icons American children would recognize — taxi-drivers, movie actors, skyscrapers, prairies and automobiles. Rootabaga Express! brings the stories of the Five Rusty Rats, Bimbo the Snip and more to life.You’ll meet new characters and journey farther into the Village of Liver and Onions and Sandburg’s imagination than ever before.The 30-minute shows are appropriate for all ages and held rain or shine. These shows are supported by the Flat Rock Playhouse and the Park Store, operated by America’s National Parks. Apprentice actors from the Flat Rock Playhouse have performed adaptations of Sandburg’s works for park visitors since 1974. Using Sandburg’s own words from his collections of children’s stories, poetry, collected music, biography of Abraham Lincoln and his own autobiography, the performances provide visitors with a sense of the scope of his work and imagination. Sandburg was an expert storyteller, and easily wove important messages of fairness, empathy and social justice into his writings. Whatever play you are able to attend you will walk away with a smile on your face and a better understanding of the legacy of Carl Sandburg.

No shows June 30 and July 2.

Join us at Eliada Home’s campus for a small group guided walking Farm Tour. Tours last approximately 1 hour. Participants will learn about outdoor and greenhouse growing practices, aquaponics, hydroponics, market gardening, corn maze production, and learn about our Animal Therapy program.

We will be meeting at the PARC building and walking to the different greenhouses, garden site, and a visit with our animals. Reservations required, tickets are $10 each visitor (to be collected at the time of the tour).

We recommend bringing the following: comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  This tour is not handicap accessible and will require participants to climb stairs and walk on uneven ground.

We will begin out tour promptly at the starting time, so please arrive 5-10 min early to allow for parking and check-in. If you are running late or cannot make your tour, please email [email protected] or call #828-348-2287.

All proceeds from ticket sales from your farm tour go directly back to helping the Campus Farm Program grow more food for the children of Eliada!

Click above photo to sign up for a time slot and number of people in your group. Payment for tour will be collected when you arrive. Cards accepted.

This tour is best suited for school age children ages 10+ and adults.

We’ll fill you with laughter and wonder as we meet the world’s only acrobatic goldfish, mis-make a mermaid and narrowly avoid becoming a shark snack … we will even shoot a real life pirate out of a real life cannon! It’s guaranteed to amaze, amuse, engage and enthuse the whole family!

Start mentally preparing for the ceremonial start to the summer and your first dip in the pool! Buncombe County Recreation Services opens its five outdoor swimming pools on Saturday, May 28.

Pools are open Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, pools may close for a short period of time or the entire day. Follow individual pools on Facebook for the latest information on closings.

Cost to swim is $3.00 per day. Visitors are welcome to bring their own chairs and lounging towels.

For many local families, our pool openings signal the beginning of summer and more relaxing days. They’re an affordable, fun, and healthy way to beat the heat. Thanks to their locations, they’re also surrounded by stunning views of our mountains.

Pools are located across the county, ensuring easy access for all kids and families. The facilities are managed through an agreement with Swim Club Management Group of Asheville which oversees maintenance, hires staff, and handles daily operations. Community members can sign up for swim lessons and book private parties on the management group’s website, buncombepool.com.

Sun safety information is available at each location, but pool visitors are reminded to apply water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before putting on a bathing suit and reapply every two hours or after swimming. Other tips to avoid the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays include wearing high-UPF swim shirts, wide brim hats, and wraparound UV-blocking sunglasses. More sun safety tips are available from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Pool Locations

Cane Creek Pool
590 Lower Brush Creek Road
Fletcher, NC 28732
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Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
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Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
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North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
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Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, NC 28778
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Magic Show! With giggles galore, madcap magic and plenty of barnacled books. Meet the world’s only acrobatic goldfish, mis-make a mermaid and narrowly avoid becoming a shark snack … we will even shoot a real life pirate out of a real life cannon!

This week-long, half-day summer theatre camp, young actors will discover the fun in foundational acting technique. In a fun combination of training, rehearsal, and performance, students will dive into engaging acting, voice, and movement activities. With a focus on imagination, improvisation, characterization, and collaboration, students will discover new tools for expression and apply these skills in a short performance presented at the end of the week for a small audience. This week is perfectly suited for imaginative students who are excited to collaborate with peers and professionals and interested in expanding their theatre skill set. No previous experience required. Every program covers new material. Space is limited.

In this week-long, half-day summer theatre camp, students will explore the joys of acting and theatre arts! With a fun combination of training, rehearsal, and performance, young artists will learn the foundations of theatre through engaging acting, voice, movement, and art activities. With a focus on imagination, improvisation, characterization, and collaboration, students will discover new tools for expression and apply these skills in a short, informal performance presented at the end of the week for a small audience. This week is perfectly suited for imaginative students who are excited to collaborate with peers and interested in learning the foundations of theatre. No previous experience required. Every program covers new material. New and returning students are welcome. Space is limited.

• 

  LEAF Schools & Streets invites your students to join us at LEAF Global Arts for summer camp!

  There will be three camps which will run 9am to 5pm at LEAF Global Arts Experience Downtown Asheville. Morning drop off is between 8:30am and 9am and pick up is from 5pm-5:30pm. Snacks will be provided, and students should bring a bagged lunch and a water bottle to camp every day.

  We will kick off our first two summer camp weeks with two Hip Hop Dance camps for rising 1st through 6th graders. These camps will be led by LEAF Master Resident Teaching Artist Otto Vazquez, and will introduce students to the stylings, history, and culture of hip hop dance. Mr. Otto is sure to teach your kiddo some smooth moves! This camp runs two separate weeks: June 20th – June 24th, and June 27th – July 1st.

  Cost for these week-long camps is $230 per week. Scholarships are available. Please inquire by emailing Erinn at [email protected].  LEAF Global Arts Summer Camps are made possible by the generous support of LEAF Members and in part by a partnership with Open Doors of Asheville.

Hip Hop Dance Camp Week 1 – June 20 to June 24. Hip Hop Dance Camp is for rising 1st through 6th graders. This camp will be led by LEAF Master Resident Teaching Artist Otto Vazquez and will introduce students to the stylings, history, and culture of hip hop dance. Mr. Otto is sure to teach your kiddo some smooth moves!

Camps runs from 9 am to 5 pm at LEAF Global Arts Experience Downtown Asheville. Morning drop-off is between 8:30 am and 9 am and pick-up is from 5 pm-5:30 pm. Snacks will be provided, and students should bring a bagged lunch and a water bottle to camp every day.

Kevin Hogan, Untitled, screenprint and relief print on paper​, 47 5/8 × 33 5/8 inches​. Museum purchase with funds provided by the Asheville Citizen-Times, 1999.16.04.64​. © Kevin Hogan.

Geometric Art Adventure: Learn about different artists, art styles, and ways geometric shapes are used in painting, drawing, and sculpture. Use a variety of art materials and drawing tools to explore how color, line, and geometric shapes can come together to create artwork

Please note:

• Summer Art Camp is held primarily indoors in the Museum’s John & Robyn Horn Education Center.
• Space is limited to small groups of students; face coverings, social distancing, and frequent hand-washing/sanitization are required.
• Students can register for morning only, afternoon only, or all-day sessions. All-day camp includes a 1-hour supervised lunch break.

Core classes include acting, dance and movement, music, costume design, improv, and physical comedy. Additional classes, daily activities, and instructors vary by session, so join us for one week or several! There will not be a final showcase for Youth Camp. Masks are currently optional for all students, regardless of vaccination status. Campers should plan to bring their own lunch, water bottle, and snacks from home.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

Please do not purchase registration prior to applying for a scholarship. Applications must be received at least two weeks before the first day of the camp session for consideration.

Core classes include acting, dance and movement, music, costume design, improv, and physical comedy. Additional classes, daily activities, and instructors vary by session, so join us for one week or several! There will not be a final showcase for Youth Camp. Masks are currently optional for all students, regardless of vaccination status. Campers should plan to bring their own lunch, water bottle, and snacks from home.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

Please do not purchase registration prior to applying for a scholarship. Applications must be received at least two weeks before the first day of the camp session for consideration.

The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage in this captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Willy Wonka is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.

Do you have a cereal box or two to spare?

Drop it off this week & we will turn your box into art!

Shipwrecks! Betrayals! Romance! Mistaken identities and switcheroos! Magic! A tipsy sea monster! This Shakespearean comedy has everything!

Rehearsals for “The Tempest” will be from 11am-4pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting June 13, and performances will be July 1-3 and July 8 & 9.

Asheville Area Arts Council funding helps support Moppets after-school program

Taught by Artistic Director Ashleigh Goff and veteran Moppet Eli Hamilton, the class is our first-ever partnership with the City of Asheville. Students in the after-school program are learning basic theater skills and building their self-confidence in a fun and welcoming environment. The program will culminate in a showcase performance for the students’ peers and families.

“One of our overarching goals is to introduce more kids to classical theater, wherever they are,” Moppets Executive Director Rachel Cort said. “This funding helps us to take a big step toward that goal. We are incredibly grateful to the Asheville Area Arts Council for supporting the Moppets and aspiring young actors in our community.”