Welcome to Riva-Lake

“Welcome to Riva Lake We’re glad you’re here! We have a great big handshake And a rousing cheer for you So join in our happy song We’ll have lots of fun fun fun fun We hope your stay will be until our happy camping days are done!”

These are the lyrics that campers are greeted with upon entering the gates of Camp Riva Lake. Driving through the gates is always a special moment. After months of being away from our beloved camp in the hills, the sight of our gates swinging open is enough to make me stop and feel an enormous grin spreading over my face.

11 years ago, my parents drove me through the gates and I heard that song for the first time.

11 years ago, I had no idea that my summer at Camp Riva Lake would turn into something so, so much more than I thought it could be.

After summers of learning how to live in a cabin, shoot a bow and arrow, ride a horse, score a tennis match, succeed (and fail) at a fireman’s leap, I realized that camp was not a place away from my home, but rather my second home. I learned life lessons and was able to grow summer after summer. I met, and continue to meet, some of the best people I know at camp. Camp has definitely seen me at my worst; however, it has also made me into my best.

Camp Riva Lake is a community which will build you into a better leader, teammate, sister, and friend. It will support you not only for the short amount of time that you are there, but throughout your years as a Riva Lake sister and alum. I could not be more honored to call myself such.

11 years ago, I was lucky enough to sign up for a camp I had never heard of and drive through those gates. I can ensure that you will, and probably already have, find a family waiting for you behind them, just as I did all those years ago and as I still do, today.