OBX1- Things are going Swimmingly!

By Anne Izard on June 17, 2013

OBX 1 opened this past Saturday with an all male (plus 2 female leaders) trip. Opening day was filled with yummy food, icebreakers, swim reviews, and orientation to the expeditioners new home. Something new about OBX this year is we now have a base camp! For years, OBX has traveled from campsite to campsite. This recipe was fine and working but we had an opportunity to try something different. GRP’s main contact on the Outer Banks started building a bunkhouse several years ago. He neared completion and offered it to our OBX crew for the summer season. We have moved in for the inaugural summer and plan to use this as the OBX drop off, pick up, and transition location.

Sunday, each expeditioner was issued their kayak, paddle, and lifejacket for the duration of the trip. The group worked on kayak skills and had some free time to swim. Monday, they ventured out on their first paddle up Webb creek and out into the wider area of the White Oak River. They also spent the afternoon doing activities including some fishing! Monday’s evening program consisted of a fun art project. Each expeditioner was tasked with a drawing or painting of a regional plant or animal that they will teach the group.

Today will be spent preparing for their trip to the banks. Stay tuned for more details!

Anne Izard

Anne has worked at Green River over the years at summer camp, expeditions, and the school programs as a counselor, expedition leader, mentor, and program director. Anne’s related camp experiences include working as a counselor and program assistant at Camp Ton-A-Wandah in North Carolina, an expedition leader for Wilderness Ventures and an environmental educator and expedition leader for the Teton Science School. Prior to returning home to GRP, Anne was the Director of Education for the Mountain Studies Institute in Silverton, Colorado. Anne and her husband, Steve, are both actively engaged in the American Camp Association, The Association of Environmental Education, and The North Carolina Youth Camp Association. When Anne is not working, she can be found trail running, paddling, cycling, or backcountry skiing with her husband Steve, their sons, Phen and Hawkins,daughter, Alida,and golden retriever, Irie Bird!