Unplugged: Camp Hoover goes back to nature, no cell phones allowed

NEWTON — There's a place where friendships are forged, memories are made, challenges are met, new skills are learned and young ladies discover the athlete, the artist and at the very basics, the kid in themselves.

Founded in 1953, Camp Lou Henry Hoover was named for the famous First Lady who was a huge advocate of the Girl Scouts, and this camp is a chance to trade in a cell phone for a flash light and some outdoor adventure.

“Our goal is to build an appreciation for the outdoors, teach leadership and challenge the girls to do new things,” said camp Director, Deb Hooker.

Hooker is no stranger to the camp, in fact, she's been there for the past 37 years first as a camper then a counselor and for the past 23 years, as the camp's Director and Property Manager. “We've always taught the basics,” she said.

Camping, cooking out, flag ceremonies, Scout's honor, Scout's Zone, swimming boating, songs, pledges, camp fires and stories have perpetually been part of the sleep-away camp's activities.

As time and technology have marched on, the camp has added new things like paddle boards and been challenged by things that have changed like cell phones.

“Today, most people communicate in instantaneous time,” Hooker said, “One of our biggest challenges is that kids — and especially the parents — want updates. It's not like the old days when you just sent your child off to camp for a week. Now we set up phone calls when needed and send out occasional e-mail updates for the parents during the camp week because that's how times are now.”

The camp is glad to accommodate change and give group updates every few days, but Hooker said, “It's funny because the kids adapt but it's the parents who often don't.”

Camp Hoover offers general camp programs for grades one to 12 such as waterfront activities and specialty programs. Specials such as horseback riding, gymnastics and cooking are additional activities offered to grades 3 to 12, and a program called “Middies” is a two week program for girls in grades seven through 12 that first teaches girls how to canoe and camp out on Swartswood Lake and then sees them putting what they've learned in action to boat down the Delaware River, making their own meals and camping on the river's islands.

Camp Lou Henry Hoover is the oldest operating Girl Scout Camp in New Jersey and is one of three owned by the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey.

“Girl Scout Heart of New Jersey camps are traditional camps, and we’ve always taken pride that our programs are rooted in traditional camp values — connecting girls with nature, exploring the great outdoors and learning by doing,” said Jennifer Thompson, the council's Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. “As a former Girl Scout, who was working in the nonprofit camping industry — this was an opportunity to bring my professional expertise to an organization. I’m passionate about Girl Scouts played a critical role in my formative years — and taught me so much about myself. I’m thrilled to be part of the team that’s giving today’s young women that same opportunity.”

Thompson added, “As technology emerges, we are constantly challenged with how we maintain those values while remaining contemporary with the girls we serve. It’s a balancing act.”

An example of this balance is though the girls aren’t allowed cell phones and access social media at camp, Camp Hover does offer digital photography and robotics programs.

“What’s been incredibly interesting is the girls response and feedback. Initially, when you tell young girls they can’t access something they love — they’re a bit hesitant, but when camp ends, girls all share that it was a nice break and they didn’t feel as much pressure,” Thompson said.

Keeping up with the times and changing with the times is an important aspect that Camp Lou Henry Hoover and the other camps in the council are addressing.

“This year, we took a mindful look at all of our camps and wanted to gain a broad understanding of how our each of our camps is connected to the overall organization — and how they build on one another as well," Thompson explained. "To this end, we undertook a multi-step brand assessment, where we spoke with parents, former campers, staff, and donors of each of our camps. We asked them to share their experiences and connections with camp — as well as identify areas they saw for growth."

Included in this, Holly Brandes was hired as a Creative Marketing Specialist to work on new logos for the camps, programming and the reopening of summer Camp, Camp DeWitt, next camp season.

“Girl Scouting and camps like Lou Henry Hoover teach girls the basics and give them skills and friendships that will last a lifetime,” Brandes said.

“There's a lot of history and a lot of tradition here,” Hooker said. "Activities are grouped according to interest, age and ability to make your daughter’s stay more enjoyable and comfortable, and the camp's programs meet the strictest requirements of the Girl Scouts, the New Jersey Youth Camp Safety Act and the American Camping Association."