Base Camp Expeditions
Request InfoMountain Biking or Rock Climbing
Choose between two different trips all based out of GRP’s Base Camp.
Trip Overview
- Length: 6 days
- Grades: 7th-10th grade
- Begins and Ends: GRP Base Camp back field, between 11-11:30AM
- Airport: Asheville, NC or Greenville/Spartanburg, SC
- Challenge Level: Introductory / Minimal to no experience required
We work with youth in a pivotal time of their development as they become "young adults." As youth gain a more comprehensive perspective of culture and society they can often be challenged to make choices that affect their lives in intricate ways. Here is an opportunity for them to learn about making appropriate choices in a safe environment, where natural consequences are easily debriefed and can be used as metaphors for when to do the right thing.
Mountain Biking
GRP is offering one-week sessions focused solely on mountain biking on and off the Preserve. In addition to GRP Wheels programs, this Base Camp Expedition is perfect for campers who have enjoyed mountain biking and want to do more, including spending every day developing these skills on the trails.
Led by experienced GRP instructors, the Base Camp Expeditions combine overnight camping trips with in-camp accommodations. The trips emphasize how to safely have fun on bikes while gaining skills and confidence in a supportive and non-competitive environment. Group size is limited to 8 participants per session.
Green River Preserve base camp is located on 3,400 acres in Western North Carolina. In addition to having our own, private mountain biking trails and training course, our property neighbors the mountain biking mecca, Dupont State Forest. GRP campers have the luxury to ride out the backdoor and explore miles of incredible terrain. Our immense access gives us the ability to progress at the group’s speed and adventure from beginner to advanced trails. Our property and access make this an ideal environment to learn and further develop mountain biking skills while having a good time on the trails.
Rock Climbing- “Rock and Read”
The Rock and Read Base Camp Expedition is a 1-week session focused on further developing safe and supportive rock climbing skills, while also spending some downtime reading our favorite books. Climbing is offered during all of our base camp sessions, and because of its high demand, GRP is offering this uniquely focused program for campers who love climbing and want more time on real rock. This Base Camp Expedition is perfect for campers who have enjoyed climbing and want to do more, including spending every day developing these skills.
Led by experienced GRP instructors, the Expedition combines overnight camping trips with in-camp accommodations. The trips emphasize safely having fun on a rock while gaining skills and confidence in a supportive and non-competitive environment. Group size is limited to 8 participants per session.
Green River Preserve base camp is located on 3,400 acres in Western North Carolina. In addition to having our own climbing wall and bouldering cave, GRP has established beginner to advanced routes on our property. Campers will have private access to these places as well as the option to explore beyond our property into the greater Western North Carolina mountains. Our property and access make this an ideal environment to learn and further develop rock climbing skills while also having a blast outside with a great community.
Base Camp Expeditions Question and Answer:
Week-long camp sessions focusing on mountain biking or rock climbing with a small group of people. Similar to our other Expeditions, this crew will be living in nature and be exposed to a variety of life experiences (cooking, critical thinking, communication, etc.) through direct learning and engagement.
Campers in grades 7th-10th grade. Enrollment will be limited to 8 campers per session.
Base Camp Expeditioners will sleep in tents, tarps, hammocks, or platform shelters on The Preserve. In general, Expeditions are “out in the field” camping out. Expeditioners will come into the main GRP base camp to use the facilities and have the occasional meal. GRP will provide the shelters for the expeditioners, while the campers are responsible for bringing their own sleeping bags.
Expeditioners will succeed in this program if they have a desire and passion to learn, and if they are dedicated to developing rock climbing as a skill for 6 days. The Rock and Read Expedition will be exploring a variety of routes and all levels (beginners included) are welcome.
If you’ve never been on a mountain bike, this probably is not the program for you. We recommend coming to one of our 2 or 3 week base camp sessions and spending a bit of time on the basics before jumping into the Mountain Biking Expedition. This expedition is for campers who feel comfortable climbing and descending hills, and have some of the fundamentals under their belt.
GRP has a full fleet of mountain bikes, climbing equipment, and camping gear. Campers who have their own (bikes or backpack) are welcome to bring it, but we will provide any other essentials. There are a few personal items we recommend you bring like hiking boots or quick dry shirts. All of those personal items can be found on the packing list.
There will be one to two instructors for each expedition. Occasionally, an additional mentor may join the group for a lesson or a day.
The costs covers all instruction, lodging, meals, transportation, and all necessary expedition specific equipment (like a bike, biking helmet, rock climbing ropes, etc).
One of the most consistent pieces of feedback we hear from expeditioners is “the food is awesome!” While camping in the field, expeditioners will prepare their own meals and we like to glamp camp when we eat! Full well-balanced and nutritious meals will be on the menu with options for special diets when needed. When expeditioners come to our GRP base camp, they will eat in the lodge.
One of the cool things about these trips and why they are called “Base Camp Expeditions” is for the most part all the exploring will be done on The Preserve. We are so lucky to have a continuous amount of property as our home and campers will have private access to adventure on the land. Occasionally, mountain bikers will venture into the famous mountain biking mecca known as Dupont State Forest (our next door neighbor) and rock climbers may venture to Pisgah National Forest.
We reserve the right to alter the itinerary prior to and throughout the trip. Itineraries may change due to: severe weather, student ability, motivation and conditioning, high or low rivers, high or low snowpack, unpredictable natural disasters, vehicle breakdowns, road closures, forest fires, illness, ever-changing permit regulations, any potential threat to safety; even a brilliant idea from an instructor or student. In the event of a schedule change, comparable activities will be substituted when possible and you will be notified by e-mail of significant change