On Little River atop Lookout Mountain in Mentone, Alabama
About Riverview
Welcome
Riverview sits just off DeSoto Parkway on top of Lookout Mountain in Mentone, Alabama, in a bend of Little River. Parents often tell us, “This is what I've imagined a camp should be like,” and many girls still call it “my camp” long after they age out.
We offer one and two week sessions for girls ages 6 to 16. “Peaceful” is the word most often used for our campus, and “exciting” for our activities: riding, a heated pool, tennis, a ropes course and climbing tower, canoeing, archery, gymnastics, cheerleading, dance, flag twirling, sports and outdoor living skills. Add evening programs, a Counselor in Training program and lifelong friendships.
Each day begins in a quiet wooded setting, where counselors and staff share a good morning and welcome to the day.
Every night ends around the campfire with group singing, an inspirational talk and Taps.
A pajama breakfast with homemade doughnuts, then worship in the open-air gym with a guest speaker and music.
Riverview is an inter-denominational Christian camp, with chaperoned transportation to Mass in Fort Payne for Catholic campers.
Meet the directors
Larry and Susan have been camp directors since 1983. They directed Camp Skyline in Mentone until 1997, when they took ownership of Riverview. Susan worked at camps every summer through high school and college, and Larry worked at sports camps in the Carolinas.
Both graduated from Southern Wesleyan University. Susan's degree is in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Larry holds a BA in Health and Physical Education, a Master's from Clemson University and a Doctorate in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Alabama.
Gary and Cassie Hooks Parker, both University of Alabama graduates, are actively involved in the Riverview community in administrative roles.
“We believe that children are the wondrous beginnings that make a profound difference in the world around us!”
We see a girl's camp experience as just as important to her growth as school, friends and home. Our hope is that she will call Riverview “my camp,” and we thank every parent for making us the camp of choice.
In a Christian community outdoors, every camper gets the chance to:
Assistant Director
Donna has worked alongside Susan and Larry since 1987 and has been Assistant Director since 1992. A Red Cross instructor since 1988, she teaches First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard Training and Activity Training at staff orientation, and works year-round, traveling with the directors to share Riverview and interview staff. Her daughter Bethany was a camper for 11 years and has been on staff since 2017.
Our history
1920s
The first camp on this land, Cloudmont Camp for Boys, opens in a bend of Little River. Children have spent summers here ever since.
Later
The property becomes Saddle Rock Camp for Girls. Three generations of campers still treasure their Saddle Rock blankets.
1983
Larry and Susan Hooks start directing Camp Skyline in Mentone, with a dream of one day owning a camp of their own.
1997
The Hooks take ownership and name the camp Riverview, after Little River, an Outstanding National Resource Waterway. A dream come true.
Today
Remodeled cabins stand alongside several original log cabins, the original dining hall and the original open-air gymnasium.
Our campus
Home for our junior girls, with 14 to 18 campers per cabin and counselors chosen with great care.
Senior campers live 20 to 28 to a lodge, each with its own indoor restrooms and showers. Lookout Lodge, with its big lobby, is a favorite place to grow into.
One of the finest open-air gymnasiums in the country, with six basketball goals and a stage for gymnastics, dance, worship and evening programs.
A large deck and canoe docks on Little River. It is also home to River Reflections, our beautiful and meaningful closing ceremony.
Red Cross swim lessons, Fun Swim, Lap Swim and the Sunday afternoon swim meet between teams.
A quiet wooded clearing where every day begins with a short devotional, before campers head up to a family-style breakfast.
Natural environment
Riverview sits on a quiet road about half a mile past the DeSoto Falls entrance, surrounded by privately owned woodlands with trails. A wooded path leads to The Farm at North Riverview, where campers pick blueberries, fruit and muscadines on nature hikes. Deer, flocks of wild turkeys and squirrels visit every day, especially early in the morning on the way to Morning Watch.
Counselors
Every counselor completes orientation for cabin and activity duties, earns activity certifications and is trained in Red Cross First Aid and CPR. A Leadership Team mentors counselors throughout the summer, and our Counselor in Training and Junior Counselor programs help Riverview girls grow into staff.
“Riverview helped to shape me as the person I am today, and also gave me the confidence to be the person I want to be.”
Being on the Riverview staff is more than a summer job. It is the chance to make a difference in the lives of young girls, and to have a lot of fun doing it. Start your application right here.
Questions? Call 256-634-4043Staff application loads right here
Future counselors start their Riverview staff application right on this page.
Suggested: Embed the CampInTouch staff application here. Today the employment link sends applicants to a separate CampInTouch login.
The 10 Year Blanket
At the final banquet of her tenth summer, a camper receives her 10 Year Blanket, along with a personal poem of her camp history, full of funny and awesome memories, read to the whole camp. Friends come back and parents are welcome to attend.
Over 225 toasts have been presented in the last 15 years, more than 2,250 camping years, and some camp families have three generations of blanket recipients.
Accreditation
Accreditation is voluntary. It means meeting standards every year and hosting a Standards Visit every five years, and many standards go beyond federal, state and local requirements. At orientation, our staff attends an on-site ACA workshop led by Susan Hooks and Donna Bares.
100%
Riverview's score on every applicable ACA standard
Beyond summer
An experiential education program for private, public and home school groups from across the Southeast, here in Alabama since 1991. Director Lizzie Cheatham McBay, a Wofford graduate, has spent every summer at Riverview since age nine, as a camper, counselor, intern and teacher.
Outside of summer, our winterized facilities host weekend groups of all kinds: youth groups, women's and men's retreats, family reunions and business team-building programs. Weekends fill fast.
Book a weekend: 256-634-4443I'm going to Riverview!
Sessions fill quickly, and there is no deadline: applications are first-come, space-available. Apply online in about 15 minutes, or call the office and we will help.
