The History of Camp Riverlea
Written by Betsy Umstead in June 2000 (camp’s 30th year)

The farm was purchased by my parents, George B. and Bettie Hill Umstead, and my brother, George Bernice Umstead, in the early 1950’s right after World War II.  We lived in (what is now known as) the Hobbit House.  One year after moving to Riverlea my mother passed away.  My father didn’t want to farm and so he moved back to Durham.  I subsequently bought my father’s and brother’s part of the farm.

The HOBBIT HOUSE was built before the Civil War by Dr. Canady who was a country doctor in the area.  He raised his family there and at least two of his daughters were schoolteachers in Durham City Schools.

BRANDYBUCK (archery and athletics) was built before the Civil War and was the home of “Joe” who worked on the farm for Dr. Canady.  Later it was the home of Mrs. Johnny Garrard and her family.  The Brandon family bought the farm from the Canadys and farmed it for a number of years and my family purchased it from them.

WITHYWINDLE (nature hut) was bought by me from the Horton Farm, which used to be where Cross Creek Shopping Mall on Guess Road is now.  Withywindle was a corncrib and the Canoe Barn (since torn down) was a smokehouse.

CAMP RIVERLEA was built in 1971.  We first built the Lodge (SHIRE and SHIRE HAVEN), WEATHERSIDE (the large pool), and the tree house.  I lived in Shire Haven for 17 summers until I built my house in 1987.  I enlarged my house in 1994 when I retired from UNC-G and now live there year round.

The TENNIS COURTS were built about 20 years ago.
WEATHERSIDE (the small pool) was built about 8 years ago
YONDER POND was built about five years ago.

RIVERLEA opened in 1971 with 16 campers and six counselors.  Now more than 300 campers attend each summer.  This year we have 25 counselors and 25 ORCS.