H2O: Just Add Water
“The great river flows from the mountains to the sea. I am the river, the river is me” – Māori proverb/whakatauki
The Green River Valley presents an abundance of opportunities to interact and have fun with water. A typical day at Green River Preserve cannot be fulfilled without some H2O action. Whether it be participating in noodle tag during canoeing or learning the important task of retrieving and purifying water with Aquamira on Campout there is always a chance of getting wet. While some of my core GRP memories include vivid sunsets at Long Rock and scaling Bear Rock, Polar-Bearing at Uncle’s Falls and looking for salamanders at Prayer Rock Shelter are my most cherished. Regardless of the sunshine or the thunder, the joy will always be sought under the liquid sunshine and all the cheerfulness it provides.
Not only are campers enjoying the waters of the Green River. Rainbow trout, crawdads, and salamanders also call the river home. Campers enjoy creating special moments with these aquatic critters on their mentor hikes or when fly fishing during afternoon activities. Another favorite moment of mine is watching campers swimming in the lake, speeding down the zipline, or showing fortitude by jumping off the high jump during free time between afternoon activities and dinner. Coming from New Zealand, I have enjoyed sharing my water knowledge and the Green River with campers and staff. Water has undoubtedly been one of my most treasured memories of the summer, and I hope campers came home with the same impression. I can’t wait to share what I have learned with everyone back home.
Whether you follow rivers, chase waterfalls, or feel the rain on your skin, the water is an element that always returns, and so will the aquatic memories made on the Green River Preserve.
Story by Jess Hawken with photos by Brandon S. Marshall & Samantha Keebler
