
Photo by John Drake
PHOTO: Mountain Disaster Preparedness: Fire extinguisher training
By

I was lucky to attend camp in the Idyllwild area during the years from 1967 through 1972. Camp Roosevelt was nestled about seven miles from Idyllwild in Garner Valley located right next to the Hurkey Creek campground. I was 10 ½ when I began attending the camp, which had been in existence for over 30 years. It was then owned and managed by Dan Slater. It was a co-ed camp that my brother Steve and I attended during the 60’s counter-cultural revolution. We had hippies as counselors and no parents at the camp, and seldom on parents’ weekend. It was an overnight camp where you could stay from three to eight weeks.
Parade blossomed from small-town patriotism …
As any visitor to Idyllwild can tell, while you make your way up the winding and scenic roads from the Inland Empire cities you will sense a feeling of elation and anticipation of the experiences your journey will bring. Nestled among the majestic pines of the San Jacinto Mountains, Idyllwild is renowned for being “one…