McHenry County News FRE
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11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115 • (815) 654-4850 • www.McHenrycountynewspaper.com Display Advertising & Classifieds: 815-654-4850 • Circulation: 815-654-4854 • E-mail:McHenrynews@rvpublishing.com
Volume 7 Issue 5
JANUARY 26, 2017
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By Anne Eickstadt CORRESPONDENT
For forty-six years, from 1952 until 1998, the Pleasant Valley Conservation Area on Pleasant Valley Road was owned by the Chicago Congregational Union. It was used as a summer camp for inner-city youth. Sheila Kerry was one of the adults who brought Chicago children out to enjoy and learn about the country. “Every year, we would take our girl scouts to camps in Wisconsin and Indiana. One year, the camp was full and I searched for somewhere else to take them. One lady told me about this place, she couldn’t remember the name, somewhere out in McHenry County.” “I called around and finally found the Pleasant Valley Camp,” Sheila continues. “I brought my girls out and the staff taught them to live on the land and give back to the land. The girls learned to pick up eggs, fresh from the chicken. I would hear, ‘Eeewwww,’ as they gingerly picked up the moist egg. ‘My mother would never eat this. She only uses eggs from Jewel.’” “The girls learned how to clean a chicken. They hiked in the woods vand learned how to swim. They learned to skate. They could have done this in the city but no one ever took
them.” “When they knew we were coming, the camp would put up bunk beds for us. There would be rows of bunk beds in the cabins.” “I grew up in England,” Sheila tells us. “When I came to this country in 1957, I landed in Chicago and stayed there for twenty years before moving out here. I moved to Spring Grove to retire. That’s when I found Memory Makers and I never missed until I
ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTOS McHenry County News
got sick. Then Gail found me and now I come as often as I can.” She currently resides at the Wauconda Care Nursing Home.
Walkways have been graveled and are maintained for ease of wandering through the conservation area.
Sheila asked the group if the Pleasant Valley place was still around. She was saddened when she learned that the camp had been closed and none of the camp building remained. The McHenry County Conservation District obtained the property and began restoration efforts in 1997. The buildings on the site were in very poor condition. Vandals destroyed them before the Conservation District made a decision as to whether or not to keep them. Today, the Pleasant Valley Conservation Area contains an oak savanna and prairie ecosystems. Its stream and pond are stocked with bluegill. It also holds a virgin wetlands area which is home to many species of birds and animals. It is frequently used for picnics and special events. The McHenry County Conservation District holds educational sessions there and continues to improve the site. More about this conservation are can be found online at www.mccdistrict.org.
(Left) The ponds at Pleasant Valley are healthy and stocked with fish.
(Right) The original camp buildings are long gone but shelters have been built by the McHenry County Conservation District for use by visitors.