Rick & Mary

rick and mary2We’re Rick and Mary!

Mary Hilton was a successful businesswoman and speaker for 20 years. Her lifelong interest in nature and wildlife led her to qualify for a DNR permit and a U.S. Fish and Wildlife license. Mary has been raising baby native species for 30 years. She is available for nature lectures about the flora and wildlife that inhabit Long Lake Outdoor Center. Her talks have interested both adults and children. Would you believe in Indigo Blue Milky Mushrooms?

Rick served 4 years in the USAF and 6 years in the Michigan National Guard. He spent 30 years in the auto industry as an automobile collision repair technician before opening his own commercial building and equipment repair business, which he has operated for 7 years. Rick has the tools, equipment, knowledge and desire to repair and maintain the camp’s infrastructure and buildings. His goal is to make steady improvements to the camp during the term of his lease, and to let as many citizens as possible enjoy it. Rick’s hobby is model aviation, and he offers a 3-4 hour program covering the basics of building and flying model aircraft culminating with the students building and flying a small glider, and Rick performing a demonstration flight with a radio controlled seaplane on Long Lake. This program requires advance notice and a minimal fee is charged to cover the model building material expenses. It is appropriate for ages 8-adult.

We lease the Long Lake Outdoor Center from the State of Michigan and operate it as a private business. Like any other private business, the administrative (insurance, lease fees, taxes etc.), management, maintenance and repairs are our responsibility. We do not rely on your tax dollars to run and preserve this camp!