Local camp continues traditions of scouting

Swartswood — For more than 50 years, Camp Lou Henry Hoover has been creating summer memories for girls from grades one through 12. Though the camps programs meet the requirements of the Girl Scouts, campers do not have to belong to Scouts. Located on Route 521, in Swartswood, the 340-acre camp prides itself on being “a journey into independence -- a place where girls and their experienced counselors plan their weekly adventure together.” Once at camp, the girls not only meet other girls their own age, but have the chance to learn from counselors from around the state, the country and the world. Camp Hoover began on a small site at Bear Mountain, N.Y. The Elizabeth Girl Scout Council, founded in 1919, provided some camping for girls near Mendham until the piece of property on Bear Mountain was obtained. When the camp was built, there were accommodations for 30 girls per week, a number that eventually grew to 75. In 1953, the Elizabeth Council purchased the present property on Swartswood Lake. “Prior to that, it was farm land, and at one point a Dude Ranch,” Camp Hoover’s director, Deb Hooker, said. In May of 1957, the Elizabeth Council became a part of the Washington Rock Girl Scout Council and the camp continued. At the end of the 1961 camping season, Camp Hoover and Blue Heron, another Washington Rock Council camp in Sparta, closed. During what would have been the 1962 season, the buildings, except for the Dining Hall and the Waterfront Building, were torn down, and Hoover was completely redeveloped. The camp reopened in 1963 with new facilities. There are five camper units, each including eight tents, a washhouse, program shelter, and a counselors’ cabin. During 1972, Camp Blue Heron was sold and replaced with an expansion at Camp Hoover. By spring 1975, Hoover had two new year-round buildings, Heronwood and Evergreen, and a new primitive area, Valhalla. A neighbor, a Mr. Teare, donated 26 acres of land in the fall of 1973, and in 1974, two cottages, a barn, recreation hall, and hotel along with 11 acres of prime waterfront property were donated. In 1979 Ash Grove was cleared for sports. The council began planning for the latest addition to Camp Lou Henry Hoover - Camp Hoover Center. In the following year, attention turned to the waterfront. Work also began on a new road into camp. In 1983, Hoover expanded again when the council purchased 25 more acres on the camp’s western border. And in 1984, the camp grew to its current 340-acre site with the purchase of 91 acres. Camp Hoover can currently sleep close to 400 campers. Director Deb Hooker, was introduced to the camp more than 25 years ago when she attended Camp Henry Hoover with money her parents raised through a garage sale. Hooker rose through the ranks of camper to junior counselor before becoming assistant director in 1991 then summer resident camp director five years later. After decades of making the long commute from her home in Plainfield to the campsite in Sussex County, several years ago, Hooker decided to move to the campus. Also a full-time teacher, she works at Byram Intermediate School during the day, then manages the camp’s events on nights and weekends until summer break. “I feel that it is important for the girls to develop skills in leadership, team work and life skills in a non-threatening environment,” Hooker said. “Camp Hoover provides girls with these opportunities and more. We’re based on great times, great experiences and great memories. We provide girls with the opportunities to learn, discover, explore, challenge, create and make new friends in a friendly camping environment.” For first-time campers, Camp Hoover offers a “Mini Camp.” a three-night experience which includes daily waterfront activities, hiking, arts and crafts and picnic lunches. “A Little Camp Fun” offers a sampler of camp activities while the “Hoover Grand Tour” includes a sample of all Camp Hoover has to offer from its challenge course to boating to a pond study, swimming, hiking, cooking out, arts and crafts and many more activities. “Everynight Live” camp sees campers sleeping late through breakfast and planning their own night activities. These include: stargazing, s’mores over a campfire, twilight swimming and boating, arts and crafts by moonlight, games and midnight snacks and afternoons by the beach and on the playfield. Specialty programs are another option for campers. Most of these are in the morning. During the afternoon, girls spend time with their unit swimming, boating, doing arts and crafts, hiking and whatever else they enjoy. “Beach Party” includes a trip to Swartswood State Park, “Campers Challenge” teaches cook-out methods, compass and emergency signal skills more, and “Creation Studio” encourages their full artistic potential. Other specialty programs include “Curtain’s Up,” “Cycle Fun,” “Hoover Escapades,” “Excursions,” “Good Earth Girls,” “Gymnastics,” “Hoover Pioneers,” “Horseback Riding,” “Leaders in Training,” and “Lifeguard Training.” Camp Hoover’s “Middies” specialty program takes girls canoeing down the Delaware River after a few days of training at Camp Hoover. This includes an overnight on the lake before setting out on a canoe adventure on the Delaware. Other specialty programs include “Outdoor Odyssey,” “Outdoor Survival,” “Pack & Paddle Adventure,” “Snap, Click, Zoom,” “Set Sail,” “Summer Get Away,” “Wet n’ Wild,” and “What’s Cooking.” About to celebrate her 20th summer on staff at Camp Hoover, Hooker is known around the camp as “Hook.” As director, she has seen decades of tradition continued each summer and witnessed the evolution of new customs. “I love being the director of Camp Hoover. I first attended Hoover at the age of 9 and haven’t left yet. I love working with the wide range of girls and staff. The moment that gives me the greatest joy is when someone gets it. ‘It’ can be building a fire, learning a new game, teaching a song or taking on leadership in some area of camp.” She added, “I have the opportunity to work with wonderful people, spend time in the outdoors and provide the girls with an outdoor experience.” For more information about Camp Lou Henry Hoover, call 908-232-3236m ext. 1213 or e-mail: chay@gswrc.com or dhooker@gswrc.com She was the first lady of Girl Scouting, too Lou Henry Hoover served as president of the Girl Scouts of the USA during the years her husband, Herbert Hoover, was president of the United States. As a troop leader, Hoover took the girls camping, led storytelling around the fire at night and bird walks before breakfast. As national president of Girl Scouts of the USA, she helped girls learn about and enjoy the outdoors. Girl Scouts today honor her memory through a conservation project, through which any council that meets the requirements may establish Lou Henry Hoover Memorial Forest and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The Cadette Handbook says: “Lou Henry Hoover lived the Girl Scout Promise. She was a true outdoor enthusiast and an ardent, resourceful camper. Mrs. Herbert Hoover was admired as a gracious First Lady and popular White House hostess during the years her husband was president of the United States. And, she gave much of her time and energy to service to others - particularly to Girl Scouting.” She was also a friend of Helen Townley, a leader of the Elizabeth Girl Scouts. Her affiliation with the camp in Swartzwood started in June, 1922, when she came to a building dedication and planted a pine tree. At the time, her husband was secretary of Commerce.