News

Camp Field Day celebrates summer camp industry

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 4, 2023

“Happy Campers” will abound at the 14th annual Camp Field Day on Thursday, Oct. 12, at Camp Ton-A-Wandah.

The event is hosted by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by United Community Bank, Horizon Heating and Air and Camp Ton-A-Wandah. The focus of the event is to celebrate the positive impact youth summer camps have in the community and to provide team-building opportunities for the business community.

This year’s featured speaker is Yates Pharr, co-owner/director of Falling Creek Camp

“We are so excited to have Yates speak at our Camp Field Day kickoff luncheon this year,” said United Community Bank City President Fair Nabers Waggoner. “His history and connection to Henderson County via the camp industry and in business is a unique mix, that has made him a resource for many both inside and outside of the camp industry. I really love for our attendees to see so many positive influences and impacts of camp via these relationships and connections that go far beyond what they likely realize.”

A native of Charlotte and graduate of Appalachian State University, Pharr had summer camp “in his blood” for many years. He and his brothers attended Falling Creek—Yates for 12 summers as a camper, counselor in training, staff member and kayak instructor.

After graduating with a degree in recreation, he returned to Charlotte to serve as president of Bissell Development. In 1991, Yates married fellow Falling Creek alumnus, Marisa. They have three daughters — Annie, Lucy, and Mary. Even as Yates was forging a successful career in business, he continued to work with children, serving as assistant scoutmaster for the same troop in which he earned his Eagle Scout. The Pharrs moved to Asheville, where Yates served as vice president of commercial development for Biltmore Farms before ultimately returning to Falling Creek Camp as co-owner and director.

Sandi Boyer, executive director of the North Carolina Youth Camp Association, will share the highlights of a recently completed Economic Impact Study.

Camp Field Day opens with a kickoff luncheon catered by Outback Steakhouse followed by more than 25 local business teams competing in a variety of activities ranging from kayaking to corn hole.

The youth summer camp industry has an estimated direct and indirect economic impact of more than $100 million a year in Henderson County and more than $350 million in Henderson, Transylvania, Buncombe and Madison counties. Home to more than 20 camps, Henderson County can be considered a “Camp Capital of the USA.”