This year on Sunday, July 9 we celebrated 90 years of Camp Hoffman, our camp on the shores of Larkin Pond in West, Kingston, RI. Check out the photos from a great day of renewing friendships and remembering the good old days.

Didn't go? Register as a GSRI alum so we can find you when we have other events. Or, purchase The Camp Hoffman Story: Through the Years and learn more about this camp property with such a rich history.

For your enjoyment and education we've put together a timeline and a slide show of photos from Hoffman's past.

Timeline

We thank the dedicated members of GSRI’s Museum Committee for providing the timeline and photos below. We encourage you to visit the Sarah Hazard Nomer Museum on the grounds of Camp Hoffman to find out more about the history of this beloved camp and other Girl Scouts of Rhode Island properties, programs people, and traditions! Contact Gert Shea to set up a time and arrange for a docent.

• 1920: Camp Hoffman first located at Prudence Island, Rhode Island
• 1921: Camp moved to present site, gift of Mrs. William Hoffman and Friends. Tents in Row in Meadow.
• 1922: Tents in semi-circle around flagpole. Camphouse built.
• 1923: First year for Sunset, Spruces, Winds, Greenwood, Wildwood and Birch Cove units.
• 1924: Terrific northeaster blew down the tents – campers went to Kingston College for shelter.
• 1925: Section of camp known as Wonderland for girls 10 to 12 years of age. Rabbit Hole built. Two sections of camp known as Wonderland and main camp.
• 1926: Encampment traditions begun: Sunset representing Knights, Winds – Peter Pan, Greenwood – Indians, Wildwood – Merrymen, Birch Cover – Vikings
• 1927: Treasure Chest designed and built (Marie Gaudette). Rain all summer – “Peppy Eight” originated to buoy up spirits of campers (a group of staff who put on surprises of all sorts).
• 1928: First gypsy trip taken to camp “Four Winds”. Toadstool built.
• 1929: Gypsy Ridge used for advanced pioneering. Trips – Camp Merritt in Connecticut. Volley ball leading sport. Hikes to Boom Bridge and Glen Rock.
• 1930: Running hot water in kitchens. Greenwood introduced “hobo hike”.
• 1931: Wellville built – camp quarantined for most of summer.
• 1932: Brigg’s burial ground cleared – tree planting ceremony. Star gazing, meteor counting became activity – solar eclipse.
• 1933: Meadows and Green Forest become divisions. Encampments made flags. Trefoil built. Sailing.
• 1934: Knoll added to Meadows. Bee Hive added to Green Forest. Outdoor cooking. Unit Kitchens built with help of Paul Bunyan. Secret societies. Dock added to waterfront.
• 1935: Unit system of camping.
• 1936: Apprentices in Ridge. Six-day trip to Mount Hope overnight canoe trip. Kanga Roost. Pilot House at waterfront. Birch Cove became a nautical with emphasis on lifesaving, boating and canoeing. Knoll: pioneering and woodcraft.
• 1937: Shower House. 18 Girls in Units.
• 1938: Dishwashing systems. Bicycle trips.
• 1939: Brownies come to camp. Camping trip to Wind-in-the-Pines. Four week apprentice course.
• 1940: Gas stoves and water heater. Toadstool closed and reopened during war years.
• 1944: Ranger Program.
• 1945: Electricity at camp.
• 1946: Wellville remodeled - gift of Providence Rotary Club. Loan of sailboats by Sailing Unlimited.
• 1947: Paul Bunyan Workshop dedicated.
• 1949: Hoffman House dedicated.
• 1953: Purchase of Salt Pond site for sailing unit.
• 1954: Paul Bunyan house built in memory of Ralph Eldred (Paul Bunyan).
• 1955: Hurricane damage to boats and tents. Addition to Treasure Chest.
• 1956: Sailing Unlimited donates four weasels to camp. Winds unit moved to present site. Spruces becomes Biking Unit. Log Cabin to CIT’s
• 1957: Addition to Wellville
• 1958: Trefoil resided. Camelot unit added for 8 year old Brownies. Barbara Kyle Memorial Room in New Old house dedicated.
• The 1960s: Lowry Waterfront was established, Gypsy Rest was built and the Marie Gaudette Nature Center was begun. Winter reunions for Hoffman campers began but attendance dropped over the years before the 1990’s.
• The 1970s: “Gansett Gam”, a Bicentennial national Girl Scout event brought girls from across the state and the country to Camp Hoffman. Hurricane Belle sent campers to West Kingston Elementary School for overnight. Tennis courts were built and a gymnastics program begun And we celebrated Camp Hoffman’s “Nifty Fifty”.
• The 1980s: The team challenge course was developed. The Trefoil Club was established to bring adults together to support GSRI, to provide a community service, and to reminisce about days gone by at Camp Hoffman. Longhouse, a multi-purpose year-round facility, was built and dedicated. Camp Green Forest welcomed day campers from South County, Canterberry moved to new horseback riding facilities nearby and Hoffman’s 60th anniversary – “The Singing 60th” – was celebrated.
• The 1990s: The new Welleville opened, thanks to The Champlin Foundations’ generous support. Second graders went to overnight camp and “Mom and Me” introduced young campers to a Camp Hoffman overnight.
• The New Millenium: “Camping for a Cause” brought adult campers to Camp Hoffman and raised money for services to girls in urban communities. At the 80th anniversary of Camp Hoffman, GSRI kicked off its first ever capital campaign to raise $3.5 million to restore and prepare the camp for the new century. On July 19, 2003, the Barbara W. French Dining Hall was dedicated and the successful completion of the capital campaign was celebrated.
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• Source: The Camp Hoffman Story: Through The Years. Compiled by Catherine T. Hammett in 1982 and updated by Constance Worthington in 2006. PURCHASE A COPY NOW.