Enchanted Hills

A Napa Camp Where Blind and Low Vision Campers Build Confidence, Community and Independence

By Kathleen Reynolds

“We’ve carried Rose’s vision forward and still see camp as a training ground for building independence.”

~ Tony Fletcher

Sleep away summer camp often conjures memories of hiking trails, campfire songs, swimming, games, and, recently, introductions to new computer apps. Now imagine experiencing all of that without sight.

For generations of blind and low vision campers, that’s exactly what Enchanted Hills has provided: a place to build confidence, independence, lifelong friendships and a positive sense of identity.

Nestled among 311 acres on Mt. Veeder in Napa County, Enchanted Hills Camp is a program of Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Founded in 1950 by Rose Resnick and Nina Brandt, the camp was created to give blind children opportunities that were often unavailable elsewhere.

“Rose, who was blind herself, had a desire to build a camp that would focus on teaching independent living skills to blind kids,” says Tony Fletcher, senior director of alumni relations for Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. “Campers would work on their blindness skills and self-esteem so they could contribute to their communities and society. To put it in context, she was born in 1906 so when she founded the camp in 1950 she already had decades of experience navigating what society thought blind people could and couldn’t do.”

According to the Lighthouse website, Enchanted Hills offers summer sessions for hundreds of campers, designed for a wide range of ages, interest and support needs. Young campers explore the camp environment; teens develop leadership skills and adults strengthen community connection while discovering new interests and passions.

Long before it became a haven for blind and low vision campers, the property had several lives. It began as a resort in the 1880s, later became a private farm and chicken ranch, and eventually operated as the Lakoya Boys’ Camp until about 1947. When Resnick purchased the property in 1950, the boys’ camp structures were still standing.

That rustic charm remained a defining part of Enchanted Hills for decades until the night of October 8, 2017, when the Nuns Fire swept across Napa and Sonoma counties. Part of the larger Sonoma Complex Fire, the blaze burned more than 110,000 acres and destroyed thousands of structures.

Ten boys’ and girls’ cabins were lost. Only one cabin survived: the newest building on the property, constructed in 1998 with a metal roof and cement foundation. It remains in use and is being converted into the camp store.

“We lost staff housing during the fire; five staff members lived there year-round and all their possessions were lost,” Tony says. “The pool bathhouse, recreation sheds, lower chapel, stage, treehouse and other structures were destroyed.”

The devastation forced Lighthouse to rethink not only how the camp would be rebuilt, but what it could become.

“After the fire, the purpose became to utilize the facility year round,” Tony explains. “That meant we needed weatherized accommodations, so the camp has changed quite a bit.”

The rebuilding process was lengthy. During 2018 and 2019, camp programs continued in temporary cabins similar to those used at Camp Mather in Yosemite Valley.

“Fortunately, the dining hall and the pool had survived so we were able to keep camp open,” Tony says.

Rebuilding was about far more than replacing what had been lost. It was an opportunity to modernize the entire lower camp.

“We reimagined the whole lower section and that was a big deal,” Tony says. “We moved all the power lines underground, completely redid the water system and increased our storage capacity from 60,000 gallons to over 300,000 gallons.”

The upgrade addressed a critical vulnerability. In 2021, the camp ran out of water during the final week of programming and was forced to shut down temporarily.

“When we rebuilt the water system, we made sure that our storage capacity could support the water we received from our own spring,” he says.

The redesign also included a new building skills training classroom focused on technology and science education. The space doubles as a meeting room and provides an additional indoor gathering area during inclement weather.

One of the most thoughtful features of the redesign is the camp’s pathway system.

The new paths curve and wind through the forest, encouraging campers to travel independently and build confidence using their white canes. The design reinforces the camp’s core mission: developing self reliance through experience.

Bringing the camp into the future came with significant cost.

“The cost exceeded $50 million, and that’s on the conservative end,” Tony says. “Insurance only covered a fraction of it. While we benefited from the PG&E settlement and private donations, it was ultimately the commitment of the Board of Directors and organizational leadership that allowed us to rebuild. Enchanted Hills is a principal program of the Lighthouse, and the organization fully understands its value.”

That value traces directly back to Rose Resnick’s original vision.

A gifted pianist, Resnick dreamed of becoming a teacher. Despite earning both a master’s degree and a teaching credential, she was repeatedly denied opportunities because she was blind. Inspired by her own experiences at summer camp as a child, she set out to create a place where blind children could thrive.

“We’ve carried Rose’s vision forward and still see camp as a training ground for building independence,” Tony says. “We believe blind people should live active, healthy lives. Our staff teach campers to make their bed, prepare food, travel independently and solve problems, all under the disguise of having fun.”

Approximately 75 of camp staff are blind or have low vision themselves, and many are former campers.

“Often, camp became someone’s first paid job,” Tony says. “We’re developing more formal training programs and developing pathways into hospitality and culinary careers.”

The camp’s reach extends far beyond California. Campers have traveled from the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Mexico, Australia, Germany and Brazil. Some families seek out Enchanted Hills because their children have degenerative conditions that may eventually lead to blindness, and they want them to experience a positive, empowered blind community early in life.

Financial accessibility remains a priority. The actual cost of camp is approximately $2,500 per camper per week, far beyond what many families can afford. Financial assistance is available on a sliding scale, but rising costs continue to challenge traditional funding models.

To help offset expenses, Enchanted Hills rents its facilities for weddings, reunions, corporate retreats and other events throughout the year. Earlier this spring, 4 H utilized the camp during its staff training week.

“These camps don’t exist in many places,” Tony says. “There are only a handful in the world that offer programs across all age groups the way we do. We hope our campers and staff become advocates who return to their communities and promote blindness positivity.”

The philosophy is simple yet profound.

For Tony, the camp’s impact ultimately comes down to one thing.

“A blind person once told me that everything comes down to self-esteem and how we perceive ourselves,” he says. “That’s what camp provides: a place to develop the confidence needed to become independent and productive. With the right tools and access, a blind person can become a doctor, a lawyer or anything else they aspire to be. There’s something powerful about feeling like you’re contributing, not just receiving. It all goes back to Rose’s vision for the future of the blind community.”

For more information or booking inquiries, visit enchantedhillsnapa.org or call 707 261 1101. To learn more about our mission or to donate, email development@lighthouse-sf.org or visit lighthouse-sf.org.