Staff Spotlight: Eliza Bordley

For this week’s Staff Spotlight, we caught up with Eliza Bordley!

Q: What is your position at GRP this Summer?
A: Mentor

Q: How many years have you been at GRP?
A: This will be my fourth year at GRP as a staff member.

Q: What are you currently doing?
A: Working for a local food bank teaching urban agriculture skills to K-12 students in Durham, NC. I am also developing a 28 acre farm outside of town with my partner Jacqueline.

Q: What is your spirit animal and why?
A: My spirit animal is the river otter because I am never happier than when I’m eating fresh trout and splashing around in mountain streams!

Q: What are you passionate about?
A: One of my biggest passions is getting children and adults out into wilderness environments or spending time in garden settings! I have found that people are often the best versions of themselves when they are outside, eating fresh food and experiencing life without “modern day” distractions.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside?
A: I spend almost all of my days in a large garden in downtown Durham, NC or out on our family farm! I love digging in the dirt, watching plants grow and observing the cycles of life. When I’m not farming I love painting, cooking and canoeing!

Q: Tell us about your favorite trip/experience.
A: I had the opportunity in 2012 to spend 30 days in the Northern Cascades National Park in Washington. It was my first experience mountaineering and camping on glaciers. To live in such a harsh environment and still have a great time was a testament to me of the power of team work and positive thinking!

Q: Why did you choose to come (back) to GRP this summer?
A: I chose to come back to GRP because there is no other place in the world that has a better sense of community and exploration! There are a lot of concerning things going on in the world right now that are effecting our next generation. I believe that strong relationship-building and time spent in nature are powerful steps forward into a brighter future!

Q: What is something interesting that happened to you this year?
A: In 2014 my partner and I bought a farm in Durham, North Carolina. This past year we finally finished construction on an off-grid cabin that we designed! The building was once a tobacco barn with trees growing out of the foundation and we have finally managed to give it new life!

Q: Where is your favorite place to hike?
A: My favorite place to hike is a well-kept secret…but what I can say is that Avery County, North Carolina have some of the most spectacular hikes in the world! I also never tire of the views at camp, especially from Lower Bald or along the Green River!

We’re always looking to add qualified, enthusiastic, and adventurous people to our team!
Know someone who would make a great Counselor or Mentor? Send them our way!