Camp Davis Historic Building Fund

Camp Davis has touched the lives of thousands of people, both young and old, since 1939.The current site was founded as a children's summer camp in the Gascon Valley of northern New Mexico by my grandparents Liz and Mule Davis of Lubbock, Texas, in 1944.

The land that  comprises Camp Davis was once the center of the Valdez cattle ranch: the adobe hacienda (circa 1900) that housed the ranch foreman is still in use by the Davis family when visiting; it was renovated in the 80's.

In 1921, Dr. William T. Brown, founder of a renowned TB clinic in Valmora, NM, bought the property and designated forty acres as a children's camp, and Dos Ritos Camp was born! Local laborers built the log-sided messhall/dining room, large recreation hall, and eight rustic cabins nestled in the pines next to a spring-fed creek: they even dug a pond to use as a swimming hole! These structures were built without electric tools or large equipment; after all, electricity didn't come to the Gascon Valley until the 1940's!

The camp was a hub of activity for the region: not only were kids coming and going all summer-long, but it became a tradition for Dr. Brown to throw a huge rodeo/barbeque each August that was open to anyone and everyone in northeastern New Mexico. It is told that  one rainy day during the barbeque, everyone retreated to the dining hall porch: there were so many people on that porch that it collapsed!
Flyer invitation for Dos Ritos Picnic 1929

After Dr. Brown's death, the property was bought by "Chief" and "Budgie" Ford, who continued to operate it under the name of "Kickapoo Kamp for Girls" from 1934 until 1940.
Kickapoo Kamp: girl campers posing at the swimming hole in front of the Rec Hall (notice 1930's car!)

In 1944,  after five years of taking small groups of boys "camping" near Las Vegas, NM, "Coach" and Liz Davis leased the property, and Camp Davis began in earnest.  60 girls and 60 boys came to Camp for a month at a time to enjoy every outdoor activity imaginable: horseback riding, hiking, fishing, swimming, tennis, archery, riflery, and many others.
Girls Campers in front of the "Rec Hall"

Boys' and Girls' camp continued until 1970, when Bill Davis and his wife Irma took the reins and began hosting families and groups. The food and atmosphere at Camp Davis were so revered that word spread, and soon there were folks from coast to coast flocking to the mountains! 
Authentic Northern New Mexico dinner, served family-style

Although we have many loyal camping families bringing their great-grandchildren back to Camp every season, years of exposure to the oft-harsh alpine climate have taken their toll on the 95-year-old structures, and several are in need of  facelifts. When Camp Davis came under the care of Bennett and Kelly (Davis) Murphy, making it a third-generation family-owned business, it was clear that the infrastructure needed a lot of TLC.  Since 2009 we have been making improvements, including remodeling the kitchen, re-working all of the plumbing systems, modernizing most of the cabins' bathrooms, (greatly appreciated by teen-aged girls and their mothers!), and generally upgrading the interior decor of the shotgun-style cabins. We have been blessed with wonderful family, friends and campers who have willingly spent time and money to help us spiff up the facilities at Camp, but we still have several major projects that need immediate attention and  funding: two of the cabin bathrooms have not yet been remodeled, and the "Rec Hall" desperately needs a new floor, upgraded electical, foundation work, and a new bathroom for guests. Additionally, the road that winds around Camp has been damaged by monsoon rains and needs to be resurfaced.
"Rec Hall" porch: rest, relaxation and good company


Cabin interior
Picturesque footbridge over Gascon Creek

Antique locomotive bell calls campers to meals

Our goal over the last six years has been to grow the business by attracting more families, church groups, retreats, reunions, weddings, etc. However, we feel that we can't offer a first-rate event venue until these improvements are finished, and so we are asking for donations to "kickstart" the process.Happy Hour at Cabin 5: a Camp Davis tradition

Camp Davis Reunion  2004

To our thousands of former and current campers who are still connected to the  Davis family: we'd like to ask your help to get the ball rolling to obtain donations. Please spread the word to your friends and family that we are asking for funds to make much-needed improvements to this very special place-- a place that has influenced children and adults for seventy-six years and that deserves the TLC that generous donors can provide.

"We're getting close, kids!"