Our Final Expeditions of the season have begun.....

By Anne Izard on July 22, 2013

BLUE RIDGE EXPEDITIONS TRIP 3

BRX3 opened Saturday July 20. It was a wonderful morning with sunshine, blue skies, and hot summer weather. Expeditioners came from near (Fletcher, NC) and far (the Mississippi Delta) and all congregated on the front porch of the Director’s house to begin their journey together. The groups first afternoon started off right- with a good ole western NC afternoon thunderstorm. Thankfully, the group was safe in their base camp making lunch when the storm arrived. After the storm passed, they spent the afternoon doing some trust building exercises, settling into their new home, and participating in a GRP tradition…the respect circle. 

Sunday, the BRX crew got GRP base camp all to themselves. They spent the morning climbing on the climbing wall, learning how to belay, and being challenged as individuals and as teammates. One of the leaders favorite challenges for the expeditioners is to have 2 people climb together up the climbing wall with their inner legs tied together. It brings a different dimension to the wall! After climbing, the expeditioners swam in the lake, jumped off the high jump, and zip lined! They had a blast.

Monday, we took the crew canoeing on the French Broad River. Everyone was paired up with a partner and did wonderfully as we took on 11 miles from Champion Park to Island Ford Park. The river meanders the outskirts of Brevard through forest land and some agricultural land. The crew had a great time doing sprints, 360’s, practicing forward and backward strokes, relaxing and more. It certainly was an adventurous trip and has well prepared us for Tuesday’s white water trip down the lower Green River.

Outerbanks Expeditions Trip 3

The Outer bankers are loving life! This expedition just returned from their first overnight paddle on the White Oak River. They launched Sunday and enjoyed a beautiful moonlight paddle. The entire crew claims this was an AWESOME thing to do!Because they got to their campsite a little late last night, this morning was a sleep in day prior to paddling the rest of the way down river and back to their base camp. Tuesday, they will prepare their personal bags, group gear, and food for the 4-5 night banks trip. Their plan is to launch Wednesday. After packing tomorrow morning, the group will head into Beaufort to visit the maritime museum, perhaps get some ice cream, and see the sights of the historic town. Here are a few snapshots from their trip thus far…..IMG_1405IMG_1415IMG_1426IMG_1428IMG_1406

 

 

Anne Izard
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!