A camp counselor’s guide to the Land of Waterfalls
The Adventurist, who was a summer counselor in a former life, is our resident expert for all things Brevard and Transylvania County. He’s here to answer your pressing questions and help you make the most of your summer home away from home.
Do you have any handy tips to help with my time off?
Boy, do I ever. First, get your hands on a Camp Counselor Discount Card that’s available from your camp administrator. With it, you can enjoy substantial discounts from 25 area merchants all around Brevard and Transylvania County, thanks to our local Chamber of Commerce.
Second, drop into the Brevard/Transylvania County Visitor Center to learn everything you need to know about The Land of Waterfalls. While you’re there, grab a free Adventure Guide and Waterfall Map.
For the adventure-minded, we encourage you to also use your discount card to purchase a copy of the Pisgah and DuPont Trail Maps at a local merchant. Whether you like to hike, bike, camp, climb or paddle during your off time, these maps are all you need to get out there and start exploring the 80,000 acres of outdoor awesomeness that is Transylvania County. Locally produced by map maker Pete Kennedy, these maps are renowned for both their accuracy and their comprehensiveness. You can find this great resource at many local retailers, including The Hub, Sycamore Cycles, Squatch Bikes, Earth Mountain Bicycle, Hiker and the Hound & DuPont Bike Shop, and DD Bullwinkels’ Map Room, just to name a few.
Finally, use our website’s Happening This Week and Event Calendar to find everything happening in Transylvania County. You can also look for the Get Out Guide display with a QR code in business windows all over town. It is a great way to see all the special events and happenings that are taking place. If it is live music you are looking for, check out the Live Music section of our website.
Where can I get good food on a counselor’s budget?
You can certainly go the fast-food route. But there are also a ton of locally owned restaurants with good food and counselor-friendly prices. They include places like Sunrise Cafe, Fuji Yama, Pisgah Fish Camp, Brevard Diner, Cardinal Drive-In, and Panthertown Café, just to name a few. Plus, you can almost always find tasty inexpensive eats from the food trucks at The Hub and Oskar Blues, where there’s often live music as well. Also, you can always check out our full Eat & Drink section.
Where’s the air conditioning?
AC is a rare commodity at summer camps. But don’t sweat it. Brevard has a ton of great places where you can cool off — while you’re having a good time. The Co-Ed Theatre is a sure bet for chilling out while watching the latest flicks. And right across from Brevard College is the White Squirrel Arcade. Here you will find retro arcade games, tournament-level air hockey and foosball tables.
While not technically “air-conditioned,” the pool at Franklin Park (in Brevard) and Champion Park (in Rosman) are also great places to cool down, and it only costs $2 at either spot.
I need to catch up with my friends back home. Where can I go to get online?
You’re in luck. There are lots of places where you can find a comfortable spot, a reliable internet connection and a good cup of joe. You may consider Quotations Coffee Shop, Bracken Mountain Bakery, Blue Ridge Bakery, Cup & Saucer, Canto 34, or Pisgah Bakehouse. Plus, you can find some “quiet time” and get connected to the internet at the Transylvania County Public Library.
Arts is my thing. Where can I get a fix?
Proceed directly to the Transylvania Community Arts Council (TCARTS) website. Here you can discover every studio, gallery and crafts workplace in the county. Whether you’re interested in a pottery lesson from Mud Dabbers or Brevard Clay, stitching with Sun Dragon Art & Fiber, wide open to exploring with ArtLab, or just want to peruse the amazing art collection at Haen Gallery, Red Wolf Gallery or Number 7 Arts, this is a great resource. You can also get a full list of all things art by checking out our Adventure Guide’s Art and Culture Directory.