Friends of Hidden Valley

The Friends of Hidden Valley (FHV), through volunteers, help maintain and preserve the camp through their goals: 1) to seek and encourage gifts of time, by organizing workdays; 2) to identify resources and services for special projects, through grants and community outreach; 3) to promote the usefulness of the camp to the community, through Open Houses and exhibits at events; 4) to ensure the passage of a wildlife area to future generations, through the creation of an Endowment Fund. FHV also encourages stewardship of the land by Girl Scouts with scholarships and incentive awards, and has created "Habitat Discovery" kits for youth to learn about and experience the woods, streams, wetland, and prairie.  

FHV sponsors at least three large Volunteer Days each year, asking for volunteer support for the maintenance and development of the camp. During the winter months, weekly volunteer crews assist the camp manager with woods clearing and management and during the Spring the Valley Gardeners help maintain the gardens. The first Saturday of June, FHV sponsors Hidden Valley Trails Day with exhibits, activities for kids, and guided trail hikes. Hidden Valley is open to the public on Trails Day.

We believe that the more youth are exposed to nature, the better their appreciation and understanding becomes of their natural world. We are committed to ensuring that this natural oasis in the middle of Lawrence continues to flourish for generations to come. We are also committed to the preserving the natural diversity of the camp, and support many habitat improvement projects. Special projects have included creation of a butterfly garden using only native species of plants, a grant for stream bank stabilization and riparian habitat improvements, and a wetland. We have established a large pollinator project by planting large swaths of pollinator plants with an emphasis on monarch habitat and milkweeds. Volunteer Days often involve native woods restoration and prairie management, as well as general camp cleanup (mulching trails, renovating campsites, cleaning the streams, wood cutting, and more). S'mores may be included!

The mission of the Friends of Hidden Valley is to provide support for Hidden Valley Camp through gifts of time, money, endowments and tangible items.  Hidden Valley Camp was created in 1956 for the use of local Girl Scouts, and is owned and managed by the Lawrence Hidden Valley Committee, inc., whose mission is to provide supplemental support for Douglas County Girl Scouts. Other Douglas County youth organizations may also use the camp by reservation.

Hidden Valley Camp is a 40-acre semi-primitive urban wilderness camp located in the heart of Lawrence. It features rocky hillsides, a valley with "wild and scenic" streams, woods, wetland, and a tall grass prairie. Numerous hiking trails and primitive campsites crisscross the camp. It is home to many species of wildlife, ranging from bobcats and deer to owls and raccoons.

The camp was purchased with funds from the Bromelsick Estate, and provides a private area for outdoor skills/education and awareness activities, and promotes an appreciation and respect for the natural environment. Much of the development and maintenance of the camp has been accomplished by volunteers. In 1996, the need for more volunteers, funding, and community awareness led to the creation of The Friends of Hidden Valley. FHV incorporated in 1999, and now has about 100 members, raises over $8,000 through annual membership drives, organizes at least three Volunteer Days each year, holds open house events for the public, and has created an Endowment with the Douglas County Community Foundation to ensure long-term funding sources.