The Best Outdoor Summer Camp for Kids in WNC

Welcome to Green River Preserve

Green River Preserve is an overnight summer camp for boys and girls grades 1–12 connecting children with nature. Our mission is to inspire environmental stewards through a joyful connection to 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 individuals and community.

We offer 1,2, and 3-week overnight summer camp sessions for campers in the rising 1st through 9th grades. Our expedition programs offer immersive wilderness adventures for campers in rising 7th through 12th grade in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the spring and fall, our School of Environmental Education (SEE) is a 3 to 5-day residential outdoor education programs for school groups.

We’re Inspiring Environmental Stewards

Every day, campers head beyond the cabins and into 3,400 acres of forests, streams, mountains, and hidden valleys on our private wildlife preserve. They scramble beneath waterfalls, explore caves, track wildlife, and hike through rhododendron tunnels. Campers learn to notice, explore, and care for the natural world, while developing confidence and curiosity.

There’s a lot to see at GRP: our base camp with cabins, a lake, zipline, and trout house; a working farm with chickens, goats, and garden veggies; and a vast network of trails for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking.

Our camper to staff ratio is 3 to 1

Purposefully small, our summer camp enrollment is limited to 112 campers per session. At Green River Preserve, your child is guided by experienced outdoor educators who are carefully selected for their character, judgment, and ability to work with young people. Every staff member is certified in outdoor leadership, risk management, and youth development.

Our team brings a depth of real-world experience that enriches every aspect of camp. They are expert naturalists, outdoor guides, conservationists, archaeologists, musicians, and artists who share a passion for working with young people and the natural world.

With a 3:1 camper-to-staff ratio, our team provides close supervision and meaningful mentorship. Campers learn directly from experienced professionals while building confidence in a safe, supportive environment where they feel known, encouraged, and inspired to grow.

Explore Camp Activities

Campers get to try a little bit of everything at GRP. Days are filled with opportunities to get outside, learn new skills, get creative, and discover new interests.

From outdoor adventures to creative pursuits, campers can explore: rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, fly fishing, fencing, archery, BB skeet, outdoor skills, music, art, theater, pottery,and woodworking.