About Us
Our History
Mary Bell founded Camp Glen Arden (listed in the National Register of Historic Places) in 1951. For many years the camp was located at The Christ School in Arden, NC. The Bell Family operated Glen Arden as a sister camp for Camp Arrowhead for Boys, for 45 years. In 1996 the camp was purchased under the leadership of our longtime director, Carol, "Casey" Thurman.
About Our Directors
Owner/Director
Casey Thurman
I never missed a summer as a camper and counselor from the age of 7 until college graduation. Before coming to Glen Arden as director in 1980, I was an undergraduate of Wesleyan College with a degree in Religious Education. Upon graduation I worked with the American Red Cross in Korea. Afterwards, I traveled around the world for a year, experiencing 30 countries. When I returned to the USA, I sang with Robert Shaw and the original Chamber Chorus of the Atlanta Symphony for four years. I then returned to Europe to attend the Mozarteum and sing professionally in the Theatre an der Wien. Once back in the US, I received a Masters Degree in Voice from the University of Illinois. In 1974, a position as Assistant Professor of Voice at Wesleyan College resulted in a tenured post that I continued until returning to Glen Arden.
Assistant Director
Elizabeth "Liz" McIntosh
My sister, Amy, and I came to Glen Arden for our first summer in 1969. We happily attended every summer after that until we were too old to be campers! I went through the Glen Arden JCT program and became a counselor. After two years as the JCT counselor, I joined Casey in administration in 1985 as the Head Counselor. Casey and I have worked together every summer since then, except for the two summers I stayed home to have my children, Elizabeth and Jack. Husband Dan, Elizabeth, Jack, and I live in Winter Park, Florida. During the school year, I hold the position of Director of Alumni Relations at Trinity Preparatory School.
Camp Glen Arden is a private residential summer camp for girls. The campus is nestled among the rhododendron and evergreens in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tuxedo, North Carolina. We are conveniently located 40 minutes from Asheville, NC, 40 minutes from Greenville, SC, 3 hours from Atlanta, GA
Our Campus
Upon entering the Glen Arden gate, you are greeted by a 300' waterfall surrounded by 1,300 varieties of trees and flowers. We are situated at an elevation of 2,800', with summer temperatures 62º-84º—perfect for every type of summer activity.
Our Purpose
We believe time invested at Glen Arden builds well-rounded, wholesome individuals. Glen Arden feels keenly the responsibility and opportunity of helping campers develop spiritually inspired, noble, well-lived lives.
Camp Glen Arden's purpose is multi-faceted:
- To provide the opportunity for each child to enjoy Camp
- To learn to live together happily in a group, and
- To grow and mature.
We believe that girls need a place to be:
- Mischievous, but reverent;
- To be sloppy, but clean;
- To be tired, but happy
- To sing at the table, but to use a knife and fork for eating fried chicken;
- To be sophisticated young women, but to love to puddle-stomp
- To frolic in the moonlight, but to spend quiet times in the Green Cathedral.
Our hope is, that as these girls grow up and beyond, the memory of Camp Glen Arden will go with them—wherever they may go.
For your convenience we have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions. If you would like further information, please don't hesitate to contact our office directly by phone (828-692-8362) or by email. Our office is open year round, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm.