At GRP, every day has a rhythm, but no two days are exactly alike. Mornings are spent exploring our 3,400-acre Preserve on our Mentor Hikes, afternoons are filled with camper-selected activities, and evenings bring the whole camp community together. Mornings: 7:15 AM Wake Up. 9:00 AM–12:00 PM Mentor Hike. Afternoons: 2:30 PM Activity Period 1 | Camper's choice. 3:50 PM Activity Period 2 | Camper's choice. Evenings: 5:00 PM Free Time — free swim, fly fishing, field games, quiet reading, or board games. 7:30 PM Evening Program — Predator-Prey, Capture the Flag, a Staff Hunt, Council Fire, a Variety Show, a Contra Dance. Every day ends with Rose, Bud, Thorn.
3,400-acre privately-owned wildlife preserve in the Green River Valley near Tuxedo, North Carolina, surrounded on all sides by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Features forests, streams, caves, waterfalls, a fishing pond, swimming hole, and the headwaters of the Green River.
Cabins
Campers live in cabin groups of up to seven, with their respective counselors. Each cabin is a duplex joined by a central bathroom. Campers sleep on bunkbeds. Rookie Camp: 3 counselors per 6-person cabin (1:2 staff-to-camper ratio).
Enrollment
Coed
Accreditations stated by camp
American Camp Association
Activities
Waterfront
Canoeing
Kayaking
Fishing
Land Sports
Fencing
Archery
Arts & Creative
Pottery
Theater
Music
Woodworking
Outdoor Adventure
Hiking
Rock climbing
Mountain biking
Camping
Clues to fit
Community & belonging — friendships at GRP
The campers and staff commit on the first day of each session to be respectful of themselves, each other, and all living things. This foundation for the community enables children to form friendships that are more meaningful because they are able to be their 'best me.' Green River Preserve attracts a community of bright, curious and creative individuals so friendships formed here are often lifelong friendships that continue beyond the camp season. Many veteran campers and staff report that returning to Green River is like coming home each summer.
Green River Preserve is, at its core, built around family. If your child forgets her toothbrush or pillow or just does not seem to have any more dry socks, we will happily help provide what they need to feel at home at camp. We end each day arm in arm singing with our sisters and brothers reminding each other of our commitment to take care of one another. It's like the whole neighborhood came over to play after dinner and all of your teammates are long lost cousins that you only see once or twice a year.
Campout — overnight adventure on the Preserve during 2 and 3-week sessions
Campers embark on a three day, two night camping trip on the Preserve. They are actively involved in both planning the trip as well as selecting activities for the trip. Prior to departure, campers learn Leave No Trace Principles and how to efficiently pack a backpack. Campers hike out to different shelters on the Preserve where they cook food in the backcountry and set up camp near a protected storm shelter. Campout staff maintain radio contact with the camp office, and check in multiple times per day.
Setting — 3,400-acre preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Our overnight summer camp resides in the Green River Valley near Tuxedo, North Carolina. Surrounded on all sides by the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 3,400 acres of property include open fields alongside freshwater springs, vast forested areas, a fishing pond, swimming hole, multiple waterfalls, and the headwaters of the Green River.
Traditions — Grand Slam Ice Cream Party and wildlife spotting
The Grand Slam is an all camp favorite. During a camp session a Grand Slam is attained when a deer, a bear, a wild turkey, and a venomous snake are spotted by a camper or staff member and witnessed by either another camper or staff member. When all animals are found during a camp session, Camp celebrates with a Grand Slam Ice Cream Party!
At bedtime, campers share their 'Rose, Bud, Thorn' with their cabin. The rose is the highlight of the day, the thorn is the part of the day that was not the best, and the bud is what they are looking forward to for the next day.
Financial aid — scholarship program with income tiers
We strive to make summer programs at Green River Preserve accessible to all families. Each summer we award Base Camp and Expeditions applicants scholarship funding based on household income or extenuating financial circumstances. Tier 1: 40% for households under $80k. Tier 2: 30% for $80–130k. Tier 3: 20% for $130k+. Any scholarship requests more than 40% will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We make our initial scholarship decisions in January and then on a rolling basis, as available, after that.
Green River Preserve operates an educational farm as part of our programming. We strive to provide as much organic produce from the farm as possible for our meals. We supplement produce with local and regional farms in the area. Campers have the opportunity to experience the farm and help harvest produce for our kitchen meals.
