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Camp Blue Heaven

Family Camp at Camp Cheerio
Aug. 16-18, 2024

Registration opens Tuesday, April 30 at 12 p.m. (EDT). Email campblueheaven@unc.edu with questions.

Create lasting memories with your family. Do things you’ve never done before. Enjoy one last getaway before school starts.

Our popular family camp weekend – Camp Blue Heaven – returns for the 27th year, Aug. 16-18. From swimming, canoeing and horseback ring riding to archery, arts and crafts, climbing walls and more, make lasting memories with your family at Camp Cheerio located in the N.C. mountains. Plus, Coach Matt Jednak (2024 ACC Fencing Champions and ACC Coach of the Year) will provide a fencing clinic. Staff from Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will provide activities. Bring your extended family — children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins — and join other UNC families for the last fling of summer. Carolina Alumni member exclusive (one person in your family must be a Carolina Alumni member).

Lodging

Enjoy the scenic N.C. mountains at Camp Cheerio, located at the crest of the Blue Ridge near Roaring Gap. Each family will stay in their own private cabin with a large sleeping area of twin-size bunk beds and a private bathroom. Cabins can facilitate families of almost any size. Families must bring their own bedding, pillows and towels. Camp Cheerio also offers accommodations in Millis Lodge with private bathroom and towels/linens provided. An alternative for some families is to stay at the nearby High Meadows Inn (or to find other local accommodations) and drive up to camp for activities and meals.

Activities

Camp Cheerio offers swimming, canoeing, horseback ring riding, water slides, archery, arts and crafts, tennis, climbing wall, frisbee golf and more. In addition to all the great traditional camp mainstays, a UNC coach will provide a clinic and staff from Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will provide fun activities.

Recently Attending Families

April 23, 2024 – Registration opens and registration link emailed to families who attended in 2023. Please make sure you mark your calendars to register your family for camp during these dates.

April 30, 2024 – Registration opens to interested Carolina Alumni members at 12 p.m. (EDT). Link will be added to this Web page at that time.

To ensure you receive these emails, please review and update your current contact information on file with Carolina Alumni. Details on how to do this.

All Other Families

April 30, 2024 at 12 p.m. (EDT) – Registration opens to all interested families.

The registration link will be posted at the top of this page once it opens. If demand exceeds space available at camp at this stage, families will be placed on the 2024 waitlist. Families on the waitlist will be notified if space becomes available with ample time to process new registrations.

All families are encouraged to consider the “non-lodging/day camp” registration option.

Day Camp (Lodging Off Site) Option - Open to Everyone

The opportunity to register for Camp Blue Heaven with the “non-lodging/day camp” option is open to all. “Day campers” participate in all meals and activities just as the on-site campers; the only difference is that “day campers” have made their own sleeping accommodations elsewhere. The closest lodging option is the High Meadows Inn, located just a few miles from Camp Cheerio.

To register using the “day camp” option, please select this option while completing the online registration form.

High Meadows Inn
(800) 585-6309

Camp Fees and Payment

Camp fees are per person and depend on the lodging type for your family plus any additional cost associated with opting into the excursion. Please note: Child prices are for ages 4-15 and adult prices are for ages 16 and older. There is no charge for children 3 and under who attend with their families. Carolina Alumni member exclusive (one person in your family must be a Carolina Alumni member).

2024 Camp Fees

Cabin
Child ages 0-3 – no fee
Child ages 4-15 – $195
Adult ages 16 and older – $265
Each cabin has a large sleeping area of twin-sized bunk beds and a bathroom configured to accommodate multiple people. Families must bring their own bedding, pillows and towels.

Millis Lodge
Child ages 0-3 – no fee
Child ages 4-15 – $210
Adult ages 16 and older – $295
These accommodations have both hotel-style rooms and cabin-sized rooms. They include a private bathroom and towel/linen service.

Off Site
Child ages 0-3 – no fee
Child ages 4-15 – $140
Adult ages 16 and older – $185
Participants who opt for the “off site” option are welcome to find off-camp accommodations and participate in all meals and activities as “day campers.” Some families stay at the nearby High Meadows Inn.

Camp Payment Timeline

Time of registration – $75 deposit due (non-refundable deposit applied towards balance owed)
May 11, 2024 – 25% of total camp balance due
May 25, 2024 – 50% of total camp balance due
June 15, 2024 – 100% of total camp balance due

Refund Policy

If you need to cancel your registration, please leave a voicemail with this request for the Coordinator of Outreach at (919) 962-7054 or email your request to campblueheaven@unc.edu. Refunds will be given in accordance with the details below.

Before June 15, 2024 – Full refund of all money paid, excluding the $75 deposit.
June 16 – 30, 2024 – Full refund of money paid, minus $100.
July 1 – July 15, 2024 – Full refund of money paid, minus $150.
After July 15, 2024 – Full refund of money paid, minus $200.

Points of Contact
Jean Service '85
Coordinator of Outreach and Special Events
919-962-7054
read my bio

Jean joined the Carolina Alumni staff in May 2019. She loves connecting people and planning opportunities for Tar Heels to return to Chapel Hill. Jean enjoys spending time with family and friends at the lake, taking walks with her dogs and gardening.