No doubt at all, my stay here changed my life forever. I bet there are 1,000s of people who can say that. This camp occupies a brilliant location, offer so much and remains close to my heart. Be prepared for the rain, the hot sun and the tears when you leave. Thank you Blue Star :)
All three of my children have been attending Blue Star for years and have loved every summer. They've made great friends (from all over the country and world in some cases) and look forward to their time at Blue Star more than anything. It's an amazing opportunity to disconnect, build relationships, just be a kid again. Wish I could go myself.
My 8 year old daughter Sofi Loves camp more than anything else. She is the third generation of campers in my family. My mother Bluma was a camper in the 40s and 50s, My wife and I were a campers in the 70s and 80s Our son is also anxious to be a camper (as soon as he is old enough).
It's amazing to me going back to North Carolina, Camp Blue Star gets better with every season. Usually when you revisit a place from the past you have a romantic idea in your memory that's better then reality, at Blue Star I find myself thinking, Wow we didn't have half of this when I was a camper.
The cabins and grounds are excellently maintained and it seems a major addition is made every season. Like a new building or area, improvements to the existing campus, added programs and updated options. This Last season they improved the horseback riding option schedule to allow our kids to have small group lessons. The lessons were more appropriate for the learning dynamic and it that allowed the kids to stay together with friends of similar levels from other camp units. It's also, more economical for parents. That was in addition to adding a major new large riding ring with an impressive Olympic Style jumping course.
The yearly improvements are fantastic but thing that sets Blue Star from other Camps is the way the counselors and camp unit heads care for our children as if they were family. No problem a child has is too small or too large to handle. I wonder how much more attention to they pay then we ever could in a summer? Staff members are committed many come back season after season as well, giving even more continuity to the atmosphere. These are some of the reasons why they continue to have generations of campers from families like mine. But I suspect it's mostly because kids are just having the time of their lives at Blue Star.
I bring my daughter six thousand miles from Tokyo Japan, to spend the summer at Camp. Frankly, it's clear to us that it doesn't matter where on earth we live, Blue Star is my child's home for 7 weeks of the year.
The decision to send your child to a sleep away camp is a big one! Even though I went my entire childhood, and consider the experience to have defined significant parts of who I am as a person (third generation Blue Star!!!), sending my babies away from home was hard.
Yet, the hesitation was only mine. From the second we arrived at the airport, our boys were met with loving hugs and smiles from other campers and staff alike. The first pictures we saw of opening day were of our younger son jumping into the arms of a waiting counselor. Every detail designed to welcome the kids and kick off a life long adventure.
We chose Blue Star for our young sons because of its values, the care in selecting staff, the responsiveness of the staff throughout the summer, its exciting opportunities and nonstop adventures, for its safety, and for its "heart."
We joked with the boys on the night before camp, to be very nice on the blacktop that first day...but it was no joke, for we knew they would likely be making some of the best friendships of their life in that moment.
Our children learned so much while having the time of their lives. Learned new skills, learned about Judaism, learned about themselves, and learned to better the world we share. They came home more independent, confident, and with a new family of friends from across the world (and already counting the days until the following summer!
Blue Star has exceeded our every expectation. Blue Star is our home away from home and as parents we are certain we could not have chosen a better place for our sons to both nurture their roots while also learning to fly!
Lacking in Supervision!!! We sent our two children and when we needed assistance on various things while the kids were attending the program we found the response to be slow and not taken seriously. Our daughter came home with infections on her legs from unattended mosquito bits. Seems like a simple thing to manage but nobody is paying attention. Both kids said "No Supervision."
Taught archery here for a summer and it was the trip of a lifetime.
CBS was and still remains as one of the five life-changing and amazing experiences of my life. I saw Neil Armstrong take his first step on the moon with all the other campers in our pj's in the mess hall! I've been fortunate enough to have many wonderful experiences in life...and still am...but camp cannot be described to someone else. They must EXPERIENCE IT. To this day, some of my best friends are those I went to Camp Blue Star with. I'm HOPING they'll allow me to take a nostalgic walk around camp when I'm in Asheville in two weeks.
Jan Sobel
We sent our rising second grade daughter for her first summer in 2014. The camp called because she wanted to stay longer! She is returning this summer and is counting the days until she goes. I was a Bluestar camper and so was my mom. Camp was the best time! It was pure freedom. Our daughter loves it! It is such a gift to be able to send her. One of our favorite things about Bluestar is they have maintained the simplicity that makes it so different from these children's lives at home. What camp should be...a respite from real life. The communication with camp is incredible. They never leave you hanging and are always more than happy to be helpful. I imagine both of our girls will go all the way through Bluestar. They are so lucky!
Camp director "We dropped the ball". Got to love the honestly.
It's an okay camp. The head lifeguards at the waterfront aren't very calm though and write wrong names down and then freak out about a non-existent person that's "drowning."
I've been going to Blue Star for the last 4 years and it's honestly been the best 4 summers of my life. The village is absolutely amazing. I can't wait to go back as Staff in 3 years (:
My brother & I went here many years ago it help teach us about our heritage and our people. During the day you can go horseback riding, hang by the lake/swimming, and exploring/hiking. We both enjoyed it so much that we attended the next year. My brother now has twins and when they are at the right age to go, I hope he sends them here. I live NC and will only be 30 mins from them.
Just picked up my 2 boys today and they had the best summer ever. THANK YOU Blue Star we will come again. There is not enough words to thank Seth and the whole BLUE STAR team for an AMAZING SUMMER. My 2 boys and little girl are looking forward already for 2021 to be there again. The facilities are incredible, my kids did not want to leave :-)
This will be the 5th year at Blue Star for my daughter and the 3rd for my son. Our family holds Blue Star and its leadership team in the highest esteem. Naturally we were nervous the first year. However Lauren, Seth and the team quickly showed they KNOW the kids. Not just by name, but they know the kids and over the years have shown time and again that the kids have the best possible camp experience. Blue Star is an environment where our kids have excelled, doing activities they wouldn't normally try, meeting friends from throughout the country (and world) and building a sense of independence and maturity they wouldn't achieve elsewhere. Only a few more weeks and then we'll make the trip to Blue Star again, our family's sanctuary in the mountains!
People are very friendly and loving! I highly recommend :)
Stupidest thing I've ever seen their flagging you through Crab Creek through the campground most of the people aren't even going to the event I was taking up a lot of time people have to hold up took over 30 minutes to get back out on the road
My son was made a formal offer to be a counselor this summer. We spent several hundred dollars getting him the items and equipment that he needed to go to the camp for 6 weeks. We also purchased a plane ticket. My son was very excited. Then inexplicably the day before he was supposed to leave for camp the camp sent him an email that there was a miscommunication and he was not actually hired to be a counselor and not to come. Needless to say my son was extremely distraught.
My granddaughters will have their first Camp Blue Star experience in a week. They are sooooooo excited.
First time at Blue Star and wouldn t change a thing! They let me fly a great drone, no licence required! Beautiful location, accommodation and family!
Blue Star Camps: A Premier Coed Sleepaway Camp in Western North Carolina
Are you looking for a summer camp that offers a unique and unforgettable experience for your child? Look no further than Blue Star Camps, a coed sleepaway camp located in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. With over 75 years of experience, Blue Star has established itself as one of the premier Jewish summer camps in the country.
At Blue Star, we believe that every child deserves to have fun and make memories that will last a lifetime. That's why we offer an extensive range of activities designed to cater to all interests and skill levels. From sports and outdoor adventure to arts and crafts, music, drama, dance, cooking classes and more - there is something for everyone at Blue Star.
Our facilities are top-notch with modern cabins equipped with air conditioning units or fans depending on your preference. We also have state-of-the-art athletic fields including soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool where campers can cool off during hot summer days.
One thing that sets us apart from other camps is our commitment to Jewish values. We believe in creating an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome regardless of their background or beliefs. Our daily schedule includes Shabbat services on Friday evenings followed by a festive dinner with singing and dancing.
We also celebrate other Jewish holidays throughout the summer such as Tisha B'Av (a day of mourning), Tu B'Av (the Jewish Valentine's Day), Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) among others which gives our campers an opportunity to learn about their heritage while having fun at the same time.
Our staff members are carefully selected based on their experience working with children as well as their ability to be positive role models for our campers. They undergo rigorous training before the start of each season so they can provide exceptional care while ensuring safety is always paramount.
We understand how important it is for parents to feel connected with their children while they're away at camp which is why we offer various ways for parents to stay informed about what's happening at Blue Star throughout the summer including weekly newsletters sent via email or snail mail if preferred!
In conclusion, if you're looking for a coed sleepaway camp that offers endless opportunities for fun-filled adventures while instilling important values such as inclusivity and respect then look no further than Blue Star Camps! Our experienced staff members will ensure your child has an unforgettable summer filled with memories they'll cherish forever!
bluestarcamps.com
