Once upon a time, there was a Girl Scout camp named Dark Hollow. The camp itself was sold in 2007, and Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council bought Icimani Adventure Center on Yellow Mountain Road in Roanoke.
A summer camp — Dark Hollow Day Camp — made the jump to Icimani, so the name lived on. For 30 years, the director of Dark Hollow Day Camp was Trish McMahon — a lifetime Girl Scout and powerhouse volunteer who at one time was even president of the council’s board. Trish still serves with the Archives Group, a band of dedicated ladies who meticulously preserve artifacts of the council’s rich history, and she supports Girl Scouting in a myriad different ways.
Last year, Trish (whose camp nickname was Roo) announced that the 2009 summer camp season would be her last as director of Dark Hollow Day Camp. Her fans and friends and former campers struggled to find a unique way to honor this dynamic woman. They decided to launch the “Remember Roo” campaign, to raise funds to dig a well and run electricity to a remote part of Icimani, where a camping area is planned.
Nearly 200 donors provided the money, and the water and electricity were installed. On June 23, campers at the 2010 Dark Hollow Day Camp joined council staff, donors, the Archives Group, family and friends to dedicate the utilities in Trish’s honor. A sign will be affixed at the future camping area: “In honor of all those who enjoyed the great outdoors and camping adventures at Dark Hollow Day Camp. June 23, 2010.”
