The History of Camp Riverlea
Written by Betsy Umstead in June 2000 (camp’s 30th year)
*Additions made by Hannah Jacobs in 2011

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 (Arts & Crafts) 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) and the CANOE BARN were 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 was a smokehouse. The Canoe Barn was torn down in 2002, and BETSY'S BARN was built in its place.

CAMP RIVERLEA was built in 1971.  We first built the Lodge (SHIRE and SHIRE HAVEN), WEATHERSIDE (the large pool), and the tree house, WATCHWOOD.  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.  In May 2010, the Shire burned to the ground, but the camp community pulled together for an amazing summer. In 2011, a new and improved Shire was built and completed. Watchwood was renovated and enlarged in 2004. new and improved Shire

The TENNIS COURTS were built in 1980.  In 2004, the TENNIS BARN was built to house tennis equipment and provide a much-needed source of shade.
WEATHERSIDE (the small pool) was built in 1992.  YONDER POND was built in 1995.

RIVERLEA opened in 1971 with 16 campers and six counselors.  Now more than 300 campers attend each summer.  In 2011, more than 400 campers will attend camp, supervised by 32 counselors and 21 Orcs.