Our Summer Arts Camp is a one-week encounter with music, visual as well as performing arts. Our campers will be given the flexibility to choose their own art experience. They may want to dabble in the performing arts or take part in the visual arts or perhaps do a bit of both.

• Origami: Susie Walker will teach you all the ins and outs of the folding world of Origami. In this hands-on class, you will not only learn the methods but you will learn all the practical applications of this ancient old world art. Time: 9:00 PM.

• Drawing: Sharpen your skills with artist Ben Sellers. He will show us the how’s and why’s of pen and ink. Giving you the tools you need to be a better artist. Time: 9:00 AM.

• Theater Camp: Lights, Camera, Action!!                                If acting is your thing or something you would like to explore theater camp will give you an opportunity to act live on stage. We will learn all the mechanics of the live stage.  On the first day, we will assign parts and begin practicing for our play that will be performed on Friday. Every child will have a speaking part, learn about blocking, and all the other aspects of stage performance. Teacher: Clara Rogers – Time: 9:00 AM-12:00  PM.

• Selfies, portraits, and collage: For a total emersion into all the elements of the facial features and then sign up for this class. Teacher, Kendal Stoney’s expert know-how will make it easy to create wonderful portrait artwork. Time: 10:45 AM.

• Mural Painting: Ben Sellers, our hometown professional artist, will lead our young artist in a group effort to create a mural. This colorful experience will be a wonderful creative adventure. Time: 10:45 AM

• Music Camp: Our favorite musical teacher and entertainer, Woody Cowan, will be ready and willing to give you a fun-filled singing experience that will have you toe-tapping and hand-clapping all week long. On Friday afternoon you will join all the other performing artists to show what you know.Time: 1:00 PM.

• Wild & Wonderful Abstract Art: Abstract artist Tina Durbin will impart her love and knowledge of abstract art through her favorite abstract artist- Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, and Jackson Pollack to name a few. Just have fun and let the world of color and line help you create your masterpiece!Time: 1:00 PM.

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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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!

You can also attend one of our weekly garden workday events:
Pearson Garden and Nursery Garden workdays Wednesdays from 3-5pm. Located at 408 Pearson Dr. in Montford. Please click this link to sign up. Contact [email protected] for more information. 

Hall Fletcher Elementary School FEAST Garden Wednesdays 2:45-4:00pm, 60 Ridgelawn Rd. Please click this link to sign up. Contact [email protected] for more information. 

Lucy Herring Elementary School Peace Garden (formerly Vance Elementary School) in West Asheville.  Workdays Tuesdays 2:45-3:45. The garden will again be closed to the public from 8 AM- 2:30 pm so that classes can use the garden for outdoor learning. Please contact  [email protected] for questions and to RSVP

**We give away free produce donated by Mother Earth Food every week at our Sharing Table Mondays after 3 pm

New in 2022: Bioluminescent Evenings on Grandfather Mountain! Have the rare opportunity to see Synchronous Fireflies, Blue Ghost Fireflies and Glowworms, weather and conditions permitting (rain date is July 2). Grandfather Mountain is home to the Photinus carolinus, the only species of firefly in North America whose individuals can synchronize their lighting display, meaning they can flash in unison. Read more about them!

Grandfather Glows Schedule
7:00 p.m.: MacRae Meadows (Gate 3) opens for parking. Navigate to Grandfather Mountain (2050 Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC). MacRae Meadows is just south of the Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate on US 221.
7:00-8:00 p.m.: Educators roving to answer questions. Picnics are welcome, but please pack away all trash since we have bears in the park.
7:25 p.m: 20-minute fireflies program by park naturalists in parking area
8:00 p.m.: Begin walking or riding the shuttle to the viewing area
8:00-9:00 p.m.: Interpretive tables set up with information about night critters, astronomy and more, plus kid’s activities
8:25 p.m.: 20-minute program by park naturalists in viewing area
9:00-11:00 p.m.: Viewing time, sitting in your chair or on a blanket
11:00 p.m.: Walk or shuttle back to car. Those wanting to walk back to their car before 11 p.m. may do so.

Rain Date: July 2
When purchasing a ticket for a Grandfather Glows event date it is important to understand that your firefly viewing opportunity may occur on the event date or back-up rain date (the day immediately following the event date). If the July 2 back-up event was also canceled by GMSF you would receive a full refund for your ticket.

Event Admission
Tickets go on sale on this page on May 23 at 10 a.m.
Adult: $60
Child (4-12): $35
Bridge Club Adult: $51
Bridge Club Child: $29
Children under 4 are free and do not require a ticket.
Limited to 200 guests

Learn to separate fact from fiction abut the various species of venomous snakes found in North and South Carolina. What to do when encountering venomous snakes in the wild and administering first aid for snakebites are covered. Students will have the chance to learn basic identification skills in this online class.

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
Like on Facebook

Erwin Pool
58 Lees Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Like on Facebook

Hominy Valley Pool
25 Twin Lakes Road
Candler, NC 28715
Like on Facebook

North Buncombe Pool
892 Clarks Chapel Road
Weaverville, NC 28787
Like on Facebook

Owen Pool
117 Stone Drive
Swannanoa, NC 28778
Like on Facebook

We are shamelessly drumming up attention for our exciting new program at Lake Julian Park. Starting Thursday, March 31, Buncombe County Recreation Services is hosting a drum circle on the last Thursday of every month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The only thing you need to bring is yourself and a drum, and then just let the rhythm and beautiful scenery do the work as you enjoy the beat and comradery of fellow percussionists.

All experience levels are welcome, and registration is not required. If you have any questions, please contact Park Ranger Zach Hickok at (828) 684-0376.

: Every Last Thursday until -Sept. 29 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Park shelter number 2, Lake Julian Park, 26 Lake Julian R

To celebrate America’s Independence Day, the Chorale will join the Furman Lakeside Band for an uplifting, entertaining evening of music.