Dates & Rates
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Registration Details
Registration for new and returning families will open Thursday, September 15th. We are expecting full enrollment for 2023, so we encourage you to apply early.
When you’re ready to apply, click here to submit an application. If a session becomes full, that is also how you’ll place your child on the waitlist.
For the latest information on session availability, please give us a call at 828-698-8828 or complete this short form. We will be happy to update you, answer any questions, and even guide you toward the session that’s right for your child. You’ll find a glimpse of each session further below on this page.
2023 Camp Season
| Session | Days | Dates | Rates | Grades | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1- Rookie Camp | 5 | Sun, June 4 – Thu, June 8 | $1,850 | Rising 1-5 First Time Campers | 8 girls’ spots/ 3 boys’ spots |
| Session 2 | 12 | Sun, June 11 – Thu, June 22 | $3,950 | Rising 2-8 | Waitlist |
| Session 3 | 19 | Sun, June 25 – Thu, July 13 | $5,375 | Rising 4-9 | Open |
| Session 4 | 12 | Sun, July 16 – Thu, July 27 | $3,950 | Rising 2-8 | 2 girls’ spots / boys full |
| Session 5 | 6 | Sun, July 30- Fri, August 4 | $2,150 | Rising 2-6 | Waitlist |
| Session 6 | 12 | Sun, July 30- Thu, August 10 | $3,950 | Rising 2-8 | Waitlist |
Check out our Base Camp Expeditions for rising 6th graders and up and Expeditions Dates and Rates for High School Aged Campers
Registration Notes
Here are a few notes to keep in mind as you work on your application.
- We will process applications in the order that we receive them.
- Due to the high volume of applications we receive, it can take approximately two weeks to process your application.
- We require a deposit in order to secure your camper’s spot, which will be due once your child is accepted and enrolled. We can only guarantee your camper’s spot once this deposit is processed.
- The deposit is $1000 for Sessions 2, 3, & 4 & ALL Expeditions and $500 for Sessions 1 & 5.
Sessions
Rookie Camp & Session 5
Rookie Camp and Session 5 are designed as a starter camp for first-time campers in rising 1st through 6th 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.
Session 2 & 4
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 other specialized programming (including advanced theater and mountain biking options).
Additionally, these campers plan and participate in 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 3
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 on campout planning, Leave no Trace Ethics, and the session campout 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 Group Learning Projects 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.
The Wait List
If your camper is placed on the wait list, their position will be determined by the order in which the application was received. Our wait lists are generally fluid as families change their plans and spaces open up throughout the year. We admit on a first come, first serve basis, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances are for admission. If at any point you choose to withdraw from the wait list, you may call, email, or write your request. Please note that in withdrawing from the wait list, you lose your spot, therefore, if you are considering Green River Preserve for a future year, you might want to stay on the wait list because priority may be extended to wait listed campers as it is to return campers.
Payment Information
Upon acceptance to Green River Preserve, you have agreed to the following payment parameters:
- Pay deposit upon two weeks of receiving notification of acceptance in order to secure enrollment. For our longer seasons (2, 3, & 4) this is $1000. For our shorter sessions (1 & 5) this is $500.
- Pay 50% of the total tuition by February 1st.
- Pay the tuition balance by April 1st.
- After February 1st, 50% of total tuition is due when enrolling.
- After April 1st, full tuition is required upon acceptance.
- For payment we accept personal checks and E-checks from US banks only (we’ll need your bank’s routing number and your checking account number). Please make out checks to “Green River Preserve.” For credit card payment, there is a 3.0% processing fee. Payment plans can be arranged on an individual basis.
- Your payment helps inspire environmental stewards, maybe more than you know! We are investing 1% of tuition into tangible sustainability projects at camp. From reusable materials and local food, to compost and clean energy – you are helping us teach, delight, and inspire campers to live responsibly and protect our environment. We thank you!
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for GRP campers. In order to apply for a scholarship, be sure to check “yes” next to “seeking scholarship” on the camper application as funds are, invariably, finite. We make our initial decisions in late January and then on a rolling basis, as available, after that. We are constantly seeking grants and charitable donations to support our scholarship fund.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
In the event of withdrawal, tuition is refundable, minus a $500 cancellation fee, if written notice is received by the camp office by February 1st. For cancellations after February 1st, tuition is non-refundable. If a participant withdraws voluntarily or is sent home as a consequence of unacceptable behavior, no refund will be granted. As of June 1st, any past due accounts will result in cancellation of camper’s enrollment and no refund of any tuition.
In order to protect Camp for future generations, as a result of binding commitments that the Camp must enter into in order to conduct camp with appropriate levels of staff and medical personnel and the cost of readying the Camp to open, no refunds will be given in the event of an Act of God, War, Terrorism, Civil Unrest, Pandemic, other matters beyond the control of the Camp, or any other non-personal situation that, in the Camp’s sole judgment, could lead to significant cancellations that would have a negative financial impact on the future of Camp.