Camp is for Everyone

Hey, GRP Community! This is Lauren popping in with a quick note ahead of this blog from Mentor, Yael, to give a bit of context.

Hispanic Heritage month runs from mid-September through mid-October, so at this point we’ve passed the month itself. However, now that our office is back in the swing of things after Hurricane Helene, we want to circle back and still highlight the breadth of life experiences we see in our GRP circles, particularly those of our folks from the Latinx community.

It remains true that camp is for EVERYONE! We are grateful for staff like Yael who, in addition to their many talents with camp activities and knowledge of nature, offer themselves as support for newcomers to our community who have maybe never experienced one like it before, and help to make it the welcoming, kind, and curious place we know it to be.

Lauren Betz, Programs Director

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for celebration, reflection, and connection. It’s a moment to honor the culture, traditions, and people who have helped shape the fabric of this country. For me, it’s also a time to look back on my journey — one that took me from the mountainous beauty of Colombia to the equally stunning Green River Preserve (GRP), a place I’ve come to call home.

I moved to the United States when I was 17, leaving behind a childhood surrounded by the towering Andes (fun fact and flex: The Andes Mountains are the longest continental mountain range on Earth, stretching 7,000 kilometers across seven South American countries.) The flat part of the state, where I first arrived, felt worlds apart from what I knew. I missed the mountains, and everything seemed so different. As many immigrants will tell you, the process of adapting is always overwhelming.

About three years later, eager to reconnect with nature and see more of North Carolina (where I want to retire someday, without a doubt! After spending many summers here), I applied to GRP. Little did I know, this decision would lead me back to the mountains I had missed so dearly.

I’ll never forget the first time I set foot on the Preserve — it was like greeting an old friend after years of separation. The rolling hills, the thick forests, and the air that felt so crisp and clean reminded me of home in the best way possible. But what truly made GRP special wasn’t just the landscape; it was the community.

For two summers, I worked as a counselor at GRP, and during COVID, I even completed an online internship with the camp. The experience during those years was transformative. I found myself surrounded by people who, like me, were passionate about nature and the sense of belonging that camp brings. The other day, I saw a t-shirt with the motto “camp is for everyone,” and it couldn’t be truer. GRP became a space where I could be authentically myself, where my identity as a Hispanic immigrant wasn’t something that set me apart but enriched the fabric of the community.

Last summer, I found myself surrounded by a group of Hispanic friends and colleagues who brought their unique perspectives and vibrant energy to camp life. It was a reminder of how powerful it is to see yourself represented in a community — the more diverse we become, the stronger and more connected we feel. Diversity not only strengthens our community but also makes camp a lot more fun.

This year marks my first as a mentor at GRP, and much has changed since those early days. For one, I’m now a proud U.S. citizen. It’s an identity I’ve grown into, just as I’ve grown into my role here at the camp. But what hasn’t changed is my love for this place — how it makes me feel so connected to both nature and the people around me.

As I reflect on Hispanic Heritage Month, I think about how my culture is woven into my experience here. For those of us who grew up in Hispanic households, we know that family extends beyond blood relatives. It’s about community — about looking out for one another, whether through a shared meal or a listening ear. I’ve found that spirit alive and well at GRP. Whether it’s during a quiet moment on the archery range or a lively group discussion around the campfire, the camp embodies the essence of familia and comunidad.

This camp is a melting pot of backgrounds, where kids from all over come together to learn, grow, and connect with nature. Whether it’s a child from a rural town in North Carolina or one whose family just arrived from another country, GRP is a place where everyone belongs. That’s the magic of camp. It strips away the differences that divide us and instead builds bridges between us through shared experiences — like learning to shoot a bow or hike a new trail.

This summer, I’ve seen the power of those connections firsthand. As a mentor, I’ve watched campers open up, share their stories, and grow in confidence. It reminds me of my first summer here when I was unsure of where I fit but slowly discovered that I didn’t have to change who I was to belong. And that’s the beauty of this place: GRP accepts you as you are.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of all that we bring to the table, whether it’s our culture, language, or love of community. At the Green River Preserve, I’ve found a place where all those pieces of me are welcome. From the mountains I’ve come to love, to the people who have become like family, I know that I’ve found my home here. And like that t-shirt said, camp is for everyone — and that includes me.

So, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, I hope we all take a moment to reflect on the beauty of diversity, the richness of our shared experiences, and the power of a place like GRP to bring us all together.

Story by S. Yael Garzon with photos by Brandon S. Marshall & Samantha Keebler