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About Green River Preserve in Zirconia, NC
At Green River Preserve, children experience the wonders of nature in a non-competitive and supportive environment. Our 3,400 acre private wildlife preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina is an idyllic setting for campers to explore and bond with their peers. Our program encourages the development of important skills such as perseverance, curiosity, communication, optimism, creativity, and GRIT. Campers learn to appreciate themselves, their environment, and each other. With a limited enrollment of 112 campers per session, our summer camp is designed to be both physically and emotionally comfortable. We offer 1,2, and 3 week sessions for campers in the rising 1st through 9th grades as well as high school expedition programs for rising 9th graders through college freshmen.
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What kind of kids we support
- Coed
- Kids
- Tweens
Amenities
- Electricity in sleeping area
- River
- Sleeping cabins
- Infirmary
- Sports Court/Field
Programs at Green River Preserve in Zirconia, NC
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS
The signature of Green River Preserve’s program is the mentor hike. Led by mentor naturalists, campers explore forests, streams, and hidden valleys of the Preserve. Filled with adventure, discovery, and a heightened appreciation of the natural world, campers learn to use all of their senses as they play under waterfalls, crawl into caves, explore archeological sites, track wildlife, and taste edible plants. Every day brings a different adventure for campers exploring the different eco-systems of the Preserve. A hike by the river may be a stroll where campers hunt for salamanders, try wild edibles, stalk turkey, and wade in the chilly waters of the Green River. The next day may bring a hike to Long Rock and the Cave where campers stand atop the mountain along the Eastern Continental Divide and then travel within the earth and explore the geologic history of the area. Another day may result in a hike out of base camp on the Bear Trail playing games and team building initiatives or seeking defunct moonshine stills and learning about the archeological history of the region.
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GRP EXPEDITION PROGRAMS
Expeditions are designed as the “next adventure” for middle and high school students. We welcome both former GRP base campers and new Expeditioners to all of our programs. We have constructed the programs to transition campers through exploratory learning experiences and to build life skills. Blue Ridge, Outer Banks, and our NEW Base Camp Expeditions are the starter blocks of our graduate program. As an Expeditioner ages, we encourage them to challenge themselves on more strenuous trips like our Western and Leadership in Training Expedition. Expeditioners leave our trips with a better sense of themselves and those around them and with an experience that is truly life changing. Please see our Expedition pages for specific trip details and descriptions.
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SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Green River Preserve’s School of Environmental Education (SEE), offers 3 to 5-day residential outdoor education programs for public and private schools and homeschool groups. Our curriculum is designed for rising 5th grade through middle school and is easily adaptable for older and younger students. Participants spend their days exploring the preserve’s waterfalls, caves, and mountain overlooks in small field groups of 10-12 students. SEE programs are available in the fall and spring. We can serve up to 120 participants each week.
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Location and contact information
301 Green River Road, Zirconia, NC, 28718