Love the process, not the goal

By Anne Izard on May 11, 2017

Lots of things get done at GRP, but tasks are not what drive our activity. For example, one goal that we all seek is the Grand Slam, or put differently, spotting a bear, wild turkey, venomous snake, and a deer (collectively called Grand Slaminals, of course) on mentor hikes or during campout. Both counselors and campers need to spot each animal, so if a mentor or trail blazer sees one without any campers around, it doesn’t count.

Grand Slam is a great example of the familiar adage: love the process, not the goal. It crystalizes everything we do here: engage in various pursuits and enjoy however far we get. We may not always succeed, or if we do, it may not be the way we envisioned or intended, but we still relish the pursuit. Seek the joy.

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!