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The history

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Our Story

 Camp RIO at Historic Lula Sams sits on approximately 85 acres of predominantly untouched wildlife preserve. The land was originally developed as a girl scout camp and was gifted to the community by the Earl C. Sams Foundation in 1953. It served many girl scouts until the 1990s. The property is filled with various native plants and animals that, in most places in the Valley, have long been eradicated by urbanization. IDEA Public Schools, in coordination with the Valley Land Fund, is working to preserve this unique piece of land so that generations to come may enjoy it in its natural form. 

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Our Past

Our outdoor educational oasis was initially gifted to the Girl Scouts in 1953 by The Earl C. Sams Foundation.  It operated as such until the 1990s.  The property was then sold to a group of environmentally-minded people who conserved the land and operated a variety of programs for the next 20 years as Camp Lula Sams. Wanting to ensure the property remained protected long after they were gone, one of the couples, Dr. Pat Burchfield and Carol DeMoss, set out to raise funding for a conservation easement and to find a buyer for the property.  This was when IDEA Public Schools crossed paths with the good people at Camp Lula Sams.   IDEA Public Schools entered into a contract via the Valley Land Fund to buy Camp Lula Sams in June 2015.  The Valley Land Fund agreed to take on the easement that would preserve the conservation values of the old Camp Lula Sams.  IDEA vowed to bring stewardship and vitality to the plants and animals that thrived among the old Sabal Palms, and our bright, curious scholars would be enriched by the treasured ecology found at the campsite. This partnership was unprecedented.  The Valley Land Fund has organized dozens of easements, acting as conservator for a hundred thousand acres of protected land, but never on school land.  The Valley Land Fund and IDEA Public Schools, are both dedicated to developing a new generation of children who will learn about their environment and appreciate their surroundings, and understand the importance conservation through their experiences at Camp RIO.   

This year, we completed the construction of our brand new o

Our Future

  

IDEA is committed to refurbishing and renovating the site to ensure it can provide state-of-the-art facilities, activities and environmental and science learning curricula for students. 

Over the next few years, IDEA will work to earn the support of the community, individuals, businesses, and organizations to fund several renovations to the site, including refurbishing the pool and building a fishing pond that will afford students hands-on knowledge and experience in conservation and fishing. 

Thanks to the previous landowners, Dr. Pat Burchfield and Carol DeMoss, the local wildlife has flourished under their stewardship of the native plants and animals.  IDEA Public Schools has hired a biologist on staff to cultivate the land with more native plants, actively reintroduce and manage the native animals and plants, and document the project every step of the way.  

The ultimate goal of IDEA Camp RIO is to teach students how people interact, co-exist, and thrive alongside native plants and wildlife.  Fishing, canoeing, building campfires, hiking, archery, photography, and more will help connect students and the community to the wonders of nature in the Valley.