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Nellie Ripper never gave up on Camp Millicoma By Shirley Nelson, Southern Oregon Historical Society Jul 11, 2019 12:00 AM A A When Nellie Ripper of Coos Bay was a Girl Scouts leader, she dreamed of a camp for girls. She bravely telephoned the Weyerhauser Timber Company, which suggested three locations, and a committee chose one about 30 miles east of Coos Bay on the Millicoma River. Under Ripper’s organizational skills, donated materials, services and volunteer work parties — some from as far away as Reedsport and Yoncalla — converged, and Camp Millicoma opened in July 1954. A labor of love by people in the area, the camp was maintained and upgraded and served many girls until it closed in 1965, with the reorganization of the Girl Scouts program. The camp thereafter suffered from neglect and vandalism. In 1971 Ripper and others began working to clean up and restore the camp. But the Girl Scouts organization, which had not contributed money toward building Camp Millicoma, closed it permanently in 1987. Nellie Ripper immediately went to work with the State Forestry Department and the newly formed Millicoma River Park and Recreation Department, which granted her a lease. Because of these efforts, Camp Millicoma survives today to serve youth, families and organizations. The main lodge with its huge stone fireplace, the former counselors cabin and four Adirondack cabins are still in use. As It Was is a co-production of Jefferson Public Radio and the Southern Oregon Historical Society. As It Was stories are broadcast weekdays on Jefferson Public Radio and are available online at asitwas.org. Girls Scouts at Bear Creek Park circa 1950.