During the 75th anniversary celebration of Camp Robinwood near Willis on Saturday, the camp received a Texas Historical Commission Marker.
The camp dates back to 1949 and is a part of the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. The camp is near 9877 Calvary Road near Willis.
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“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone in Camp Robinwood’s history,” said Mary Vitek, CEO of the council. “For 75 years, this camp has been a place where girls have flourished while discovering the great outdoors. Receiving a historical marker is a testament to the camp’s enduring legacy and its role in developing girls’ courage, confidence and character.”
The Texas Historical Commission Historical Marker program recognizes historically significant places and events across the state, ensuring that their stories are preserved for future generations. There are multiple markers in Montgomery County and another new one will be placed at the Conroe Community Cemetery in February.
Camp’s place in history
In the late 1940s, Girl Scouts membership was growing, and Houston had over 650 Black Girl Scouts active in troops. The closest camp available to them was in Oklahoma.
Four prominent Black figures in the Houston community were instrumental in the development of Camp Robinwood including Clarence Dupree, Hobart Taylor Sr., Carter Wesley and James Jemison.
They were businessmen, philanthropists, activists and leaders in creating equal rights in the Houston area. In 1948, they donated half of the proceeds needed to purchase the land, then launched a public fundraising campaign to raise the remaining $8,240.
Camp Robinwood was officially established the next year on 206 acres prior to the construction of Interstate 45 which is nearby.
In June 1949, the president of the Houston and Harris County Girl Scouts, H.O. Johnson, received a deed covering the property, which states, “no Girl Scout shall ever be denied use of said property because of her race, color or creed.”
According to information from the council, the group conducted a contest to name the property and Camp Robinwood was the winner. The Girl Scout who came up with the name said she thought of it because of the beauty of the woods and the many robins she had seen at camp.
What is at the camp?
According to information from the council, it is home to Lake Ann where girls can enjoy canoeing and other water fun. The camp is also home to the council’s riflery and Archers In Motion programs.
Accommodations include platform tents, cabins or dorms as well as a library and nature center. Camp Robinwood is just minutes from camps Agnes Arnold and Misty Meadows, and Girl Scouts can easily spend the weekend at Camp Robinwood and participate in activities, such as hiking or horseback riding, at these other camps.
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Recent use
The property has since been a site of countless camping adventures, leadership training and outdoor activities.
The council partnered with the Montgomery County Historical Commission to apply for the historical marker. The application was approved by the Texas Historical Commission, and the marker is at the front entrance of the camp on Calvary Road.
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