WNC Nature & Outdoor Adventure Summer Camp and Programs

Green River Preserve offers summer programs for rising 1st grade through college freshman, meaning there are programs for campers of all ages! Whether your camper is a first timer, maybe attended another camp in the past, looking for a high school adventure, or is a returning GRP camper hoping to spend as many summers with us as possible, WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE!

Below are descriptions of all the different programs we offer in order by age. With our strategic program progression, the phases of sessions and expeditions help build, support, and prepare your camper for the each step in their GRP journey.

Summer Camp Sessions

Rookie Camp - Session 1

Rookie Camp is designed as a starter camp for first-time campers in rising 1st through 5th grades. Intentionally crafted to help hesitant campers, we ease into camp life with a mixture of mentor hikes on the Preserve and a variety of afternoon activities. At night, they will experience Council Fires, Predator-Prey, a Variety Show, and Pirate Night. Our goal is to build confidence in campers while giving them a “real” GRP experience. This session maxes out at 70 campers and offers a 1:2 staff to camper cabin ratio with three counselors and six cabinmates per cabin.

Session 2

This 6 day camp session is a great trasition from Rookie Camp for younger returning campers, or an alternative for first time campers to still attend a shorter session if the dates are a better fit for their schedule. This session shares a lot of similarities to Rookie Camp, except it will max out at 112 campers and cabins will have two counselors instead of three. Campers will start their day with a mentor hike and enjoy a variety of our most popular activites and cherished traditions.

Sessions 3 & 5

The 12 day camp sessions are designed for rising 2nd through 8th graders. Packed with fun, the 12 day session is a natural progression for one-week campers or eager first-time campers. These sessions offer a good balance of morning mentor hikes on the Preserve, a selection of afternoon activities and evening programs, and cherished traditions.

We have specialized programs outside of the typical daily routine of camp. During 12 day sessions, campers plan and participate in Campout, a three day, two night backpacking trip on the Preserve. There are Group Learning Project (GLP) Days which are daylong, in-depth extensions of camp activities. GLPs allow campers to explore a specific skill set or interest. GLP days include hiking in DuPont State Forest, Mountain Biking, canoeing at Cascade Lake, fly fishing on the Green River, learning primitive skills and crafts at the Pioneer Cabin, exploring the Carl Sandburg home, geocaching, and as well as many more.

Evening programs highlight the camp session with the following activities as campfires, games (Capture the Flag and Predator Prey), a variety show, an Appalachian Shindig (contra dance), staff hunt, Pirate Night, and many more.

Session 4

The 19 day session is the ultimate Green River Preserve Base Camp experience. This session is designed for rising 5th through 9th graders who are both new to and veterans of GRP. The unique, close-knit community bonding of this session makes it extremely popular for our campers and they return to it year after year. Campers leave this session appreciating their own inner growth and maturity, truly feeling they are “their best me at GRP.”

Advanced hikes on the Preserve as well as a variety of afternoon activities are offered during the first two weeks of the session. More time for specialized programming like mountain biking is also available. Additional time is spent learning from special guests, practicing Leave No Trace ethics, and enjoying programs unique to GRP to ensure a memorable experience. These campers also experience unique evening programs including Coffee House, Fourth of July Extravaganza, Long Rock Sunset, and Mountain Beach Party.

In the final week of this session, campers embark on “The Three Week Journey,” a week full of Group Learning Projects, Terra Nova Day, and a sunrise exploration. Highlights of some of the campers GLPs may include day trips to neighboring lands including Dupont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest, mountain biking, canoeing on Cascade Lake, rock climbing, creek stompin’ for salamanders, fly fishing, geocaching, learning pioneer skills and crafts, drawing and painting and many more.

Base Camp Expeditions

Base Camp Expeditions are beginner expeditions geared toward middle and early high schoolers (rising 7th-10th) who are looking for a more adventurous summer experience, or a maybe smaller group. Each crew is made up of 2-3 expedition leaders and up to 8 expeditioners.

Led by experienced GRP instructors, Base Camp Expeditions combine overnight camping trips with some 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.

Mountain Biking

This one-week mini expedition focuses solely on mountain biking on and off the Preserve. In addition to having our own, private mountain biking trails, 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 6 days 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.

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.

Blue Ridge Expeditions

Expeditioners hike, canoe, rock climb, and camp in some of the most beautiful areas in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. We offer three 12 or 16 day programs throughout the summer. Each Expedition is a life-changing experience that heightens confidence, improves leadership awareness, and broadens skills in low impact camping, backpacking, canoeing, and climbing. For more details on BRX daily activities, itinerary, skills, etc. visit the Blue Ridge Expeditions page.

Leadership in Training

Young adults (17 and older) who participate in our Leadership in Training Program seek more of a challenge both physically and mentally. Over the course of five weeks, LITers will get hands on leadership experience by working and teaching GRP base campers and being involved with a cabin group. They will also have the chance to hone skills such as creating a solid resume, problem solving, and being flexible and adaptable in multiple situations. The trip leaders step back and allow the LITers to make decisions, allowing participants to sharpen their leadership skills in areas like group management, decision making, organization and planning, backcountry cooking, and orienteering. Like all of our Expeditions, no experience is needed or required. For more details on LIT itinerary, skills, certifications, etc. visit the Leadership In Training page. Some age exceptions may be considered for those turning 17 within three months of the program.