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Meet the Team

By Catherine Schenck on March 11, 2021

You’ve met Anne & Steve, we will spend the next few weeks introducing you to the rest of our year-round staff.

Meet Catherine

Hi, I am Catherine and I am the Director of Education and Outreach. I was fortunate enough to grow up at GRP and spent many summers as a Camper, CIT, Counselor and Mentor. It was during my time at GRP that I discovered my love of teaching. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, I lived in Atlanta for 4 years teaching and coaching high school women’s lacrosse. I then realized that, while I absolutely loved my students, big city life was not for me. So, I returned to the Asheville area and got my Masters in Public Affairs, it was shortly after that that I joined the year round team at GRP!

When I am not in full summer camp or SEE (School of Environmental Education) mode - which is my favorite mode to be in - I am exploring the trails and trout streams of WNC. One of my favorite roles at GRP is welcoming new people onto the Preserve. Whether it’s students up for a class trip or families and friends during our Family Camp weekends, I love sharing GRP and the land.

During programs you will often find me driving buses, lifeguarding at the dock, preparing for all things campout, or running around with my dog Rosco. I try to resist disrupting fly fishing classes with celebratory whoops of “fish on” when a camper hooks a fish, but I’m not often successful.

This summer I am most excited about introducing our Leadership in Training Expedition. I loved my time as a CIT at GRP and recognize all the wonderful friendships and life skills that the experience taught me. I am so glad that we are once again welcoming a group of future counselors or those looking to gain leadership skills to the GRP experience. Our 1st LIT session is full and our 2nd LIT session is more than half way full! I am so excited for your campers to meet the wonderful groups of young people that will be joining us for these programs. If you know of any high school juniors or seniors that haven’t yet made summer plans, please help us spread the word.

My favorite time of year in the GRP valley is spring. The flowers are starting to bloom and summer camp is on the horizon. Before camp gets into full swing, we have a unique month-long SEE season where school groups get to come experience the magic of the land and escape their indoor classrooms for a bit. This year, I am excited that we are adding Family Camp weekends to our spring season. I am looking forward to welcoming back alumni and meeting new families and future campers over these weekends. I know they will only get me more excited for summer camp.

So when you see me around the Preserve, or at one of our family camps, please say hello! Maybe we can hook a fish, throw a stick for Rosco, or play a game of categories on the waterfront. See you all this summer!

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Catherine Schenck
Catherine Schenck

Catherine is the Director of Education and Outreach. When she is not in full summer camp or SEE (School of Environmental Education) mode, she is exploring the trails and trout streams of WNC. During programs you can find her driving buses, lifeguarding at the dock, preparing for all things campout, or running around with her dog Rosco. She tries to resist disrupting fly fishing classes with celebratory whoops of “fish on” when a camper hooks a fish, but is not often successful.