When Josephine Duveneck founded the now-legendary Hidden Villa Summer Camp in 1945, she had a clear mission: to bring children of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds together in a learning environment in the pristine natural setting.
“It was truly a remarkable effort for the time – so creative and visionary,” said Robert Lee Stuart, a first-year camper.
Stuart, now 68, was in seventh grade when he was selected to participate in this first group. He recalled Duveneck’s guideline: “No more than half of the campers could be white Americans. The rest of the camp were African-American, Asian and a few newly arrived from Europe. Her very positive, affirming spirit in the camp was graciously inclusive.”
Stuart said the campers lived side by side, oblivious to the uniqueness of such a multicultural group at that time. They embarked together on nature hikes, rode horses and swam. On special nights, they learned folk dancing at the Duveneck’s home, also known to the children as the “big house.”
“It was just a happy experience,” Stuart said. “The spirit of the camp was about appreciating each other and appreciating nature, although neither was explicitly mentioned.”
His deep reverence for Mrs. Duveneck formed one his most important childhood memories, Stuart said.
“She did not ‘preach’ to the camp, but led by gentle example. Her deep caring for each camper and staff member was evident,” said Stuart, who now lives in San Francisco.
Hidden Villa Summer Camp has established its legacy as the oldest multicultural camp in the country. The Los Altos Hills wilderness preserve and farm will celebrate the camp’s 60th anniversary April 29. In the months leading up to the event, the Town Crier will profile a camper or counselor from each decade, from the 1940s to the present.
