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Nineteen Eighties

1980

Rio Vista continues to be under the Direction of Carl Hawkins alongside him is Jeff Hughes as Program Director. Popular activities during this decade are; water-skiing, track Meet, baseball, broomball on horseback, kite making, advanced archery hunting, ACE trips, The Mystic Talent Show/Dance, and horseback riding. Johnny and Kathy welcome the birth of their son Justin. Freddie Hawkins marries Chaille Winston. Camp Care, a camp for special needs adults, begins at Rio Vista.

1981

Johnny and Freddie are made Owners and Associate Directors alongside their parents, Carl and Diane. The six family members work side by side each day running Rio Vista.

1982

Ms. Myrtle White, beloved camp cook passes away. Myrtle worked for Carl and Diane Hawkins for fifteen years at both Heart of The Hills for Girls and Camp Rio Vista. Carl and Diane Hawkins, along with sons Johnnie and Freddie start Camp Sierra Vista for girls on the same property. The program runs completely separate from Camp Rio Vista for boys. Freddie and Chaille welcome their daughter Carroll.

1983

Rio and Sierra Vista have a Roller Dance in the RV gym. Johnny and Kathy welcome their daughter Ashley.

1985

Freddie and Chaille welcome their son, Michael. Johnnie and Kathy welcome their son, Hunter.

1988

Becky Green comes to work for the Hawkins family. She will continue to cook for Vista Camps for 32 years.

1989

Freddie and Challie welcome their daughter, Cadi.

See photos from other decades and other fun 100th anniversary content!

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