Tolkein Tradition:

Founder Betsy Umstead was an avid reader of J.R.R. Tolkein and decided in 1971 that her camp would have a Tolkein theme woven throughout the Camp Riverlea. As a result, several camp areas and buildings, some of the special activities, and the campers' group names have a Tolkein touch. Campers at Riverlea are grouped by the grade they have just completed the previous spring and are as follows:

  • Hobbits: Pre-Kindergarten

  • Baggins: Kindergarten

  • Dobbers: First Grade

  • Pippins: Second Grade

  • Trolls: Third Grade

  • Tooks: Fourth Grade

  • Ents: Fifth Grade

  • Striders: Sixth Grade

    The main hall is named “The Shire”, The lower archery field is called “Rivendell”, and the Arts and Crafts house is named “Hobbit House”. Each summer the camp experiences the “Hobbit Adventure” and/or “Search for the Gems”. (see Specials)