2027 Enrollment is Now Open
An Intro to Overnight Camp
Sending your child to sleepaway camp for the first time is a big step. For some kids, the idea of sleeping in a cabin, making new friends, and spending five days outside sounds like the best thing ever; for others, the excitement comes with questions like, What if I miss home? What if I don’t know anyone? What if I need help?
That’s exactly why we created Rookie Camp: a five-day overnight camp designed exclusively for first-time campers. With six campers and three counselors per cabin, it’s a smaller, highly supportive introduction to life at Green River Preserve, giving young campers the chance to explore the outdoors, make new friends, and try new things. All while being supported by counselors, mentors, nurses, and directors who are there to help them find their footing throughout the week.
At a Glance:
- Grades: Rising 1st–5th grade
- Session Length: 5 days | Sunday, June 6–Thursday, June 10
- Tuition: $1,500
- Best For: First-time campers
- Camp Capacity: 70 campers
- Cabin Ratio: 3 counselors for 6 campers (1:2 staff-to-camper ratio)
What Makes Rookie Camp Different?
Rookie Camp isn’t simply a shorter version of Traditional Camp; we designed the entire experience around the needs of children attending overnight camp for the first time.
The smaller group size and extra cabin support give campers room to settle in, while the five-day schedule lets them experience the rhythm of camp without being away from home for too long. The afternoon activity schedule is also pre-planned, allowing campers to try many of GRP’s favorite activities without the pressure of choosing where to go next. They have plenty of opportunities to explore, experiment, and discover what they enjoy, all within a supportive environment.
Ready for a Summer Outside?
A Day at Rookie Camp
Morning
Each morning, campers head out in small groups to explore Green River’s 3,400-acre Preserve. Our adult Mentors use the Preserve as a classroom, introducing campers to the forests, wildlife, ecology, and natural history around them through hands-on exploration. Along the way, kids get dirty, ask questions, and notice things they might have walked right past before.
Afternoon
Afternoons are filled with activities, and Rookie campers don’t have to choose their own schedule. Instead, their schedule is thoughtfully planned so they can sample up to 24 of GRP’s most popular activities throughout the session, from the climbing wall and canoeing to fly fishing, pioneer crafts, and other new skills.
Evening
The whole camp community comes together for some of GRP’s favorite evening traditions, including Council Fires with stories and music; Predator-Prey, an outdoor game that introduces campers to forest ecosystems; the Variety Show, where campers can laugh, perform, and cheer one another on; and Pirate Night, filled with imagination, adventure, and good old-fashioned camp fun. By the end of the day, campers have spent hours outside, tried new things, and shared laughs with their cabinmates before heading back to the cabin to rest and do it all again tomorrow.
See If Rookie Camp Is Right For Your Camper
Helping Your Child Get Ready for Rookie Camp
Before camp, practice getting dressed, brushing teeth, bathing, and keeping track of belongings. Pack a favorite stuffed animal or family photo if it will help them feel connected to home. Most importantly, talk through what they can do if they have a hard moment and who they can ask for help.
The way you talk about camp at home can make a difference. We recommend avoiding repeated questions like, “Are you getting nervous about camp?” because focusing on anxiety can sometimes create a worry that wasn’t there before. Instead, talk about what they’re excited to see, what they might want to try, and what they can do if they have a hard moment.If they say they’ll miss you, you might say, “I’ll miss you, too. And I’m so excited to hear about everything you get to do.”
Rookie Camp FAQs
We discourage direct phone calls and parent visits so campers have the space to settle into camp, develop relationships, and experience the week for themselves, but our office is happy to provide an update and can arrange for your child’s counselor to call you if needed.
At GRP, campers are surrounded by caring Counselors, Mentors, Directors, and our 24/7 health center who are always nearby to offer support, whether a camper feels sick, gets hurt, or needs someone to talk to. Our staff know when to step in, when to encourage, and when to give campers the space to handle things on their own.
Cabins are organized by age and grade level, helping create comfortable social groups where friendships can develop naturally. If your child already has a friend attending Rookie Camp, you can request a mutual cabin placement on your application. We do limit larger groups from the same city so that cabins remain welcoming places for everyone to meet new people.
No. Because Rookie Camp is only five days, laundry service is not provided. Please pack enough clothing for the full session, including clothes that can get wet, muddy, and dirty.
All medications must be uploaded into CampMinder before camp and handed directly to our medical staff on Opening Day. Please pre-sort and package medications according to GRP’s medication requirements and clearly label them with your child’s name and date of birth.
Green River Preserve is a strictly nut-free community. Peanuts and tree nuts are not allowed in the dining lodge or kitchen. Meals are hearty and kid-friendly, with vegetarian options available, and allergens are listed on the dining hall chalkboard each day. Reasonable accommodations are available for other food allergies.
GRP’s Camp Store is cash-free. Before camp begins, parents authorize a credit line of approximately $50 through their CampInTouch Portal. Campers can use that balance for small purchases during the session, and any unused funds can be refunded or donated to the Green River Preserve Annual Fund on Closing Day.