Our Story

Green River Preserve is a place where bright, curious and creative children connect with the joy and wonder of nature. By participating in non-competitive yet challenging activities, campers find they are free to be “their best me.” Green River Preserve encourages creative thought and artistic development. Built on a foundation of respect, Green River Preserve nurtures the heart, develops the mind, strengthens character and heightens the appreciation for the natural world.

 

“Green River allowed me to explore and do things I never knew I had the courage or self-confidence to do. It allowed my imagination and creativity to run wild.”  camper, Greensboro, NC

Green River Preserve was purchased in the early 1950s by the Schenck family as a place to spend weekends and summers fishing, hiking, and exploring the Green River Valley. As a child, Sandy, future founder and executive director, was fortunate to learn the lore of Green River, not only from his parents, but also from people who had lived in the valley for generations.

Newman Levi, a lifelong resident, taught him about tracking, hunting, and valley customs. Charles and Pearl Cox, “an old school” mountain family introduced him to milking cows, churning butter, and cooking on a wood-stove. Alfred Heatherly, a logger, and his wife Lori taught him stories of Cherokee Indians, jack-o-lanterns, and life in the valley in the early 1900s.

From these memorable teachers, he learned a reverence for the land, a sense of valley history, and a joy and wonder of outdoor living. These folks were Sandy’s counselors, and he was their camper. In 1987, Sandy left a career in the business world to fulfill a lifelong dream of sharing the magic of this area with campers through a unique, natural science oriented summer camp. This would be a camp unlike any other-one that would not only offer bright and motivated campers the ability to enjoy the freedom the wildlife preserve affords, but also a chance to grow as budding naturalists and individuals.