In 1956 a far-sighted group of women purchased twenty acres of hilly farm pasture for the use of the Girl Scouts. Today Hidden Valley Camp has grown to forty acres and is completely surrounded by the city. A screen of trees provides a barrier between the camp and adjacent city streets. Cindy Riling, Chair of Hidden Valley Friends, Inc., explained that the camp is a unique private nonprofit resource where scouts can gather to camp, do badge work, get training and have fun.
Friends support the camp through gifts of time and work days, fund raising, grants and endowments. The acreage is carefully managed to maintain a natural setting. The Friends have donated a memorial garden, a butterfly garden, a wetland feature and a stone fireplace and shelter. Cindy Riling became interested in the camp when she served as a Girl Scout Leader. She reports that s’moors and hot chocolate are still part of the campers’ fireside experiences.
