A Brief History

Camp Calleva was originally owned by Nick and Alex Markoff. For decades our family has been involved in the camping business. In 1956 our Grandparents started Valley Mill Camp for Girls in Silver Spring, in 1972 thier parents helped to start the well known Valley Mill West Camp in Darnestown and in 1978, created Valley Mill Away, a sailing camp in the Choptank River. We developed an unparralled love for the ourdoors and look back fondly on the freedom and fun of our adventerous summers, and hope to offer that for many children to come!

1994 Overview

Our vision took a leap of faith and a lot of help from family and friends to make our dreams a reality. In the fall of 1993, in order to raise capital we implemented Nick's idea for a fund-raiser, The Markoff's Haunted Forest! With this money we were able to start Camp Calleva in the summer of 1994!

  • Week 1: Canoe & Kayak
  • Week 2: Rock Climb
  • Week 3: Hiking & Camping Skills
  • Week 4: Horseback Riding
  • Week 5: High Adventure

The season was divided into four one-week sessions from July 11th to August 14th, with weekly themes. Daily instruction also included swimming, hiking/camping and arts and crafts! The same general camp structure has continued throughout the years. The office was located at 15209 Seneca Road, Germantown, MD. Camp was actually held at property adjoining the now Calleva Farm in Poolesville. Campers had to cross a cable bridge to get to council on the other side of the lake tributary(taking some 20 minutes)! The Horseback Riding program began at Lizz Bridge's farm in Darnestown, Maryland.

Staff

Nick Markoff, Alex Markoff, Eric "Flash" Hill, Matt Markoff, Kolette Davis, Lizz Bridge, Silvia Multhaup, Jennifer Markoff, Jamie Mendleson

Staff Memories

Lizz Bridge on the Riding Program- "The riders rode through Seneca Park and swam in the river bareback. They also jumped off rope swings and we had mud fights covering Alex from head to toe. Calleva provided a chuck wagon for dinner and fixins were cooked by the stream at Darnestown Valley of Horses, where the daily trails started and ended. The program was new and different both for my stable and Calleva. It was a great cowboy adventure."

Fun Statistics

  • Animal name game takes off and Mole & Mouse are born!
  • Calleva had a total of 15 campers, some of which are still a part of Calleva.
  • The application was on the brochure.
  • The cost was $200 per week, with the high adventure costing $395.
  • The first high adventure offered was to Schwanygunks, New York in the Mohonk Preserve.
  • Sketched directions to each campers house was required upon applying.
  • Calleva Logo was a drawing of an Owl that was a favorite of our Grandmother "Skipper".

    Trivia

  • Who was the ONLY staff to get paid for the first summer at a whopping $100/week?

    calleva 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007