Green River Preserve’s School of Environmental Education (SEE), offers 3 to 5 day residential outdoor education programs for both public and private schools. Our curriculum is designed for rising 5th grade through middle school and is easily adaptable for older students. Participants spend their days exploring the preserve’s waterfalls, caves, and mountain overlooks in small field groups of 10-12 students. Currently, SEE programs are available in the fall and spring. 

Curriculum

SEE focuses on three basic themes: cultural heritage, ecological respect, and stewardship. We believe understanding the interconnectedness between humans and nature among these themes brings respect and knowledge for one’s self, each other, and all living things.

SEE offers interdisciplinary courses of study based upon two books. The flagship program stems from, The Education of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter. The other book, The Way,  is written by one of our leading mentors, Hawk Hurst. Both books have pre-designed curriculum available.  Schools are encouraged to read and study with the books prior to their program. During the visit, students and teachers are exposed to a multitude of Southern Blue Ridge Mountains aspects while hiking the preserve with our naturalists in the morning and afternoon. Topics may include but are not limited to the diverse Appalachian ecosystem, primitive arts and crafts, and mountain culture. The integration of the interdisciplinary unit with GRP’s hands-on field trip experience gives students a profound understanding of the three basic themes: cultural heritage, ecological respect, and stewardship.

The Classroom

Green River Preserve’s 3400 acres offers the perfect learning, exploration environment for all ages. Rich in ecological and cultural history the stories from this land will bond you to a larger community of learners, those from centuries past. Participants may spend the day climbing to one of our waterfalls, spelunking in an old Cherokee Indian Cave, discovering rare pitcher plants in a bog, or looking out over the green river valley at one of our bald outlooks.

Instructors and Supervision

Our staff is superb! Several of our SEE naturalists have been with GRP for over 20 years! They are professional outdoor educators, as well as teachers, artists, scientists, music makers, and more. You will find the talents of our staff to be incredibly unique and diverse. During free time and cabin time, chaperones are responsible for students in your group. Chaperones from your school will also accompany our SEE staff in field groups out on the preserve.