Staff Spotlight: Catherine Schenck
For today’s Staff Spotlight, we caught up with Catherine Schenck!
Q: What is your position at GRP this Summer?
A: Program Coordinator
Q: How many years have you been at GRP?
A: This will be my eighth year at GRP as a staff member and my eleventh year overall.
Q: What are you currently doing?
A: Currently, I am working at GRP, helping get everything ready for this summer! In addition to this, I am finishing my last semester of Graduate School at Western Carolina University. I graduate in May with a master’s degree in Public Affairs.
Q: What is your spirit animal and why?
A: My spirit animal is an eagle. A group of my campers told me why this was my spirit animal two summers ago and I was convinced. An eagle is my spirit animal because it can normally be seen floating above keeping an eye out. It normally appears very chill and relaxed, like myself. If anything catches its eye it swoops down to see or in my case, jumps in to help out.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate about teaching. I love explaining things to both children and adults alike. It is a fun challenge to explain it in a way that really resonates with someone. I love to see them “get it” and seeing that moment when it connects.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside?
A: My favorite thing to do outside is fly fishing. I love being on a trout stream or a saltwater flat looking for fish and taking it all in. There is something peaceful about the water and the calm that really grabs my soul.
Q: Tell us about your favorite trip/experience.
A: I just got back from a fly fishing trip in Spanish Wells, Bahamas with my dad and sister. My dad was the one who taught both my sister and me how to fly fish, so it was extra special to all be together fishing. We would walk out on the beach, fly rods in hand, looking for gray shadows under the surface that were bonefish. We would then cast to them and hope one would strike. We also got to go out on a friends boat and catch snapper and blue runners. The fish that day were biting like crazy!
Q: Why did you choose to come back to GRP this summer?
A: I absolutely love the GRP community and this is one of the main reasons I came back. I have made lifelong friends here and I love the opportunity to meet new friends. I also came back to help kids and staff fall in love with the land. I hope to help foster this connection and allow others to fall in love with this place like I have.
Q: What is something interesting that happened to you this year?
A: In January, I became a Wilderness First Responder. This was a very interesting and informative class and taught me so much about medicine in the environment. I also met some great people in this class and learned a bunch of new skills. Hopefully, I won’t have to use any of them this summer.
Q: Where is your favorite place to hike?
A: My favorite place to hike is lower bald. There is something so special about climbing up the mountain, feeling exhausted, and then turning around and seeing the Green River valley below. The piece and quiet is refreshing and you always feel a sense of accomplishment when you get to the top.
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!
