Spend Your Summer hiking and teaching kids on our 3,400-acre preserve!

Environmental Educators (Mentors)

3,400 acres of natural preserve. Meaningful connections. A summer of learning, growth, and adventure.

10 College Credit Hours Available!

Apply Here: https://greenriver.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/staff/App

What Is Green River Preserve?

Green River Preserve (GRP) is a nonprofit, non-competitive, co-ed summer camp located on a 3,400-acre nature preserve in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.

Our mission is to inspire environmental stewards through a joyful connection to nature. At GRP, the outdoors is our classroom. Through hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, creative activities, and shared adventures, we help young people build confidence, discover new interests, develop meaningful relationships, and deepen their appreciation for the natural world.

We are looking for enthusiastic, thoughtful, and adventurous individuals who enjoy working with young people and caring for the natural world. Whether your interests lie in youth development, environmental education, or outdoor adventure, a summer at Green River Preserve offers the opportunity to learn valuable skills, build community, and inspire the next generation!

Mentor (Environmental Educator)

Hike Leading, Teaching Natural History, and Counselor Coaching/Support

Apply Here: https://greenriver.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/staff/App

Mentors are Green River Preserve’s environmental educators and naturalists. They lead daily educational hikes for groups of up to 15 campers across our 3,400-acre Preserve, introducing young people to biology, ecology, geology, natural history, conservation, stewardship, and sustainability.

Hikes typically cover 2–5 miles over varied, sometimes challenging terrain and take place in changing weather conditions. Mentors use observation, storytelling, hands-on activities, and thoughtful questions to engage kids and inspire young environmental stewards. They also serve as role models and coaches for counselors, helping them develop their own teaching, group management, and outdoor leadership skills.

This is an active, outdoor-focused teaching position that requires sound judgment, group management, and the ability to adapt lessons to changing conditions and campers’ interests.

The role is ideal for educators, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy teaching through experience. Backgrounds in environmental education, biology, geology, natural resources, or other sciences are valuable, as are strong communication skills, outdoor experience, and enthusiasm for working with young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily environmental education hikes and outdoor learning experiences.
• Teach natural history, ecology, geology, conservation, and related subjects.
• Facilitate hands-on exploration and age-appropriate educational activities.
• Develop engaging lessons and specialized learning experiences.
• Lead Evening Programs
• Coach and support counselors as they develop teaching, leadership, and outdoor skills.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment on the trail.

Certification Requirement: Mentors must obtain Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification before their start date. Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is also accepted. Green River Preserve covers half the cost of an eligible course upon successful completion of the season.

Ready to Spend Your Summer at GRP?

Join a team that believes in the power of nature to inspire, challenge, and connect young people. Whether you're supporting campers through daily adventures, teaching them about the natural world, or leading multi-day expeditions, your work will help create meaningful experiences that last well beyond the summer.

Explore the positions above and apply to join the Green River Preserve team!

Learn more about working at Green River Preserve.

Apply Here: https://greenriver.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/staff/App