Grayson Rigby

At the age of eight, Grayson went on a family vacation to the Galápagos Islands. He was inspired by the incredible animals and wrote daily in his journal about his observations and personal experiences.

The following year, at the age of nine, Grayson won the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Young Explorer Challenge for his journal, "My First Expedition to the Galápagos Islands." Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic honored Grayson with a complimentary expedition to Seattle, Washington, and the San Juan Islands aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion.

When Grayson was 10, he won first place in the St. Johns County School History Essay Contest for his paper titled “Exploration, Encounter, and Exchange,” an essay about Ft. Mose and Captain Francisco Menendez.

Grayson served as a Student Ambassador at his elementary school where he participated in a variety of community service projects. Currently, he reads to shelter animals through the Pawsitive Reading program at the Humane Society and mentors younger students through the Small Steps organization, a youth-led volunteer program. Grayson is 11 years old and in the sixth grade.

Grayson is planning his next expedition and eagerly anticipating a new adventure. Grayson lives with his parents and goldendoodle Ellie on a barrier island in Northeast Florida.