Campout Comes Home

As our campers return from yet another triumphant campout, we find ourselves eagerly sharing tales of our time spent in the wild. For three days and two nights, we roamed the Preserve in a manner reminiscent of simpler times, devoid of electricity and modern plumbing. Each of us ventured into the woods, not merely because it was on the camp schedule, but because we all understand the profound nourishment it provides for the soul. Every moment away from the trappings of technology and social media enriches us. Nature, in its purest form, is the remedy we often seek. Whether battling a head cold, a weary mind, or simply needing a moment of reflection, the wilderness offers the elixir.

Traversing the length of the Preserve can be one of the most transformative experiences for our campers. Their unwavering determination and boundless joy in living fully in the moment, surrounded by friends, mentors, and counselors, is truly inspiring. The outdoor skills honed during these campouts—fire-making, outdoor cooking, and shelter-building—are invaluable life lessons that will hopefully lead to many successful future backpacking adventures. While our mentors and counselors accompany the campers, it is ultimately the campers who are given the opportunity to lead in creating fire, preparing food, and constructing shelters. The staff is there to offer guidance and support all the way through, but the campers’ achievements are very much their own, as well.

Now, our campers are snugly nestled in their pajamas, relishing a well-deserved early night in after a double-feature movie night in the lodge as the rain poured down and thunder rumbled all around. It’s a fitting reward to have had some chill time after three days spent immersed in the untamed beauty of the Green River Preserve.

Story and photos by Brandon S. Marshall