In the summer of 1945, Josephine and Frank Duveneck hosted the first overnight multicultural integrated summer camp in the United States. Reflecting that winter Josephine wrote, “…ages ranged from 7-13. We had a program of riding, swimming, hikes, arts and crafts, and nature lore. We lived on a cooperative basis, with everyone responsible each day for duties connected with the life of the group. It was a happy experience for all of us and some friendships are carrying over and contacts made between parents. I expect to repeat the experiment next summer.”

Summer camp at Hidden Villa is special because it is a bit of a time capsule. As the world continues to chase productivity, efficiency, consumption and technological advancement, Hidden Villa camp participants get to experience a more natural human existence. Our summer days are spent playing outdoors, making friends, using imagination and creativity, and strengthening our connection with the land and people around us by being in community. As we kick off our summer season, we are filled with so much pride to continue this “camp experiment” that our campers love as much today as they did 80 years ago!