The main lodge is named "The Shire" after the Hobbit country; the lower archery field is called "Rivendell" after the home of the Woodland Elves: the Arts and Crafts house is named the "Hobbit House:" the Archery house is called "Brandybuck," the last name of the hobbit Meriadoc (of Merry and Pippin); the Nature hut, "Withywindle," was named for a river that flows through the Old Forest on the edge of the Shire; the Nature treehouse, "Watchwood," is named for the forest of Ents who stand watch over Isengard (the wizard Saruman's hidehout); the big pool is called "Weathertop" after the tower where Frodo, Sam, and Strider are first attacked by the Black Riders; and "Bucklebury," the place where Tooks, Ents, and Striders spend their Rest Hour and we hold a campfire during the first and third sessions, is named for a village on the banks of the Brandywine river in the Shire.

Each summer the camp experiences the "Hobbit Adventure" and/or "Search for the Gems". These are special games arranged by the counselors in which campers travel in groups around camp, answering questions and demonstrating skills in each activity. For each correct answer or demonstration, the group receives gems as a reward. Characters from The Lord of the Rings either help or hinder the campers as they try to collect as many gems as possible.

After each Cookout, the entire camp participates in the Fellowship of the Ring, a time when each camper and counselor is recognized as a member of the circle of friends at Camp Riverlea. During the campfire at the Sleep Outs, counselors perform skits based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit for the older campers.