Green River Preserve is a non-competitive, coed summer camp connecting children with nature. Located on a 3,400 acre private wildlife preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, this extraordinary natural setting inspires campers to have a greater understanding of themselves, their environment, and each other.
Designed for bright, curious, and creative children, our program nurtures character development and fosters skills like perseverance, curiosity, communication, optimism, creativity, and GRIT. Green River Preserve is a safe and comfortable place, both physically and emotionally. Purposefully small, our enrollment is limited to 112 campers per session.
Designed for bright, curious, and creative children, our program nurtures character development and fosters skills like perseverance, curiosity, communication, optimism, creativity, and GRIT. Green River Preserve is a safe and comfortable place, both physically and emotionally. Purposefully small, our enrollment is limited to 112 campers per session.
Services
To mentor campers in their quest as future leaders and stewards of the land. To expose children to a wide variety of the natural sciences and foster an awareness of the wonder and complexity of the natural world. To offer experiences for children to learn from a community where ideas, creativity, and discovery are celebrated.
Designed by a child psychologist, our program will challenge and nurture your child on the path to a healthy, happy, and meaningful life. To achieve this mission, we provide four distinct experiences - discovery, growth, independence, and community. Through these experiences, we believe we enrich the four most important predictors of a healthy and happy life: curiosity, resilience, autonomy, and connection.
Campers and their parents arrive in the afternoon in the back field where they are immediately greeted by friendly staff. These counselors and mentors help Kiran and his brother, Luca load their belongings in carts to take to their respective cabins. While Kiran's mom makes his bed, his counselor goes over his daily schedule and introduces him to the rest of his cabin mates.
The design of the logo translates "teaching young people to read the mountains, the river, and the forest." Green River Preserve is a place built on tradition and respect. Each camp session opens with the Respect Circle led by Anne and Steve. All campers are given the opportunity to agree to "respect themselves, respect each other, and respect all living things" while they are part of the Green River Preserve community.
One of Green River Preserve's core pillars of our strategic plan is to make GRP's camper and staff population more diverse and inclusive. During the fall of 2020, with the support of our Board, we created a focus group of alumni, former staff, current seasonal staff, parents, and educators to examine our camp culture and policies through both a micro- and macro- lens.
Reviews (10)
Jeff Jennings
Jan 11, 2022
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S. Flores
Jun 02, 2021
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Fatima Rangwala
Jan 26, 2019
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William McCuen
Dec 15, 2018
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Spent 3 summer sessions here as a child... I started off very introverted and with the idea that the "outdoors" wasn't the place for me, and that other smart kids wouldn't want anything to do with me.
After the first 2 weeks, I knew I would be back. The GRP changed my life (as I imagine most summer camps do, in some form or fashion) and I encourage you to seek this place out for your child.
After the first 2 weeks, I knew I would be back. The GRP changed my life (as I imagine most summer camps do, in some form or fashion) and I encourage you to seek this place out for your child.
Kerry Starnes
Oct 26, 2018
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Ann Cantrell
Sep 20, 2018
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Smita Sawyer
Oct 13, 2017
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My kids, 15 & 17 have been going to GRP since 3rd grade. As a parent, I cannot say enough good things about this special place. The staff, counselors, and the mentors have a deep interest in helping the kids have a great time, and their love is genuine. I cannot think of a better place to spend part of the summer!
Jennifer Pirtle
Jul 25, 2017
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Really special place! From the moment we dropped our son off for his first camp we felt comfortable. The staff was super friendly and polite and the camp was very very cool. We were thoroughly impressed and can't say enough nice things. The camp traditions and way of life really resonated with us and my son is already talking about going back next year! It was magical for him!
Lily M.
Aug 17, 2016
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GRP is the camp to beat all camps. All other summer camps seem mediocre in comparison. The counselors, mentors, and all of the staff are so nice. Homesickness is never a problem and you're always doing something fun. I can't wait to go back next year. This is a great way to meet people from all across the country and make new friends.
Alex Mozingo
Dec 06, 2014
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