PRISCILLA OLIVER’S TRAIL AND PICNIC SHELTER

Download PDF

Longtime Girl Scout leader Priscilla Oliver of Purcellville, Virginia, was instrumental in getting Girl Scouts started in Loudoun County.  She was a troop leader besides holding many other positions, and was very much an outdoorsy woman. After her death in 1985, a memorial trail was created in her honor at Camp Potomac Woods.  Named Priscilla's Trail, it is one of the many hiking trails that run through Camp Potomac Woods.  

Starting in the parking lot, and running down the west side of the property all the way to the river (and the famous Pooh Tree), Priscilla's Trail is probably the longest hike in our camp.  

Patricia Butt's troop blazed Priscilla's Trail from the parking lot to Ridge Lodge, deciding where to place the trail, clearing the underbrush and branches, and building the walking bridge over the swampy area near Packers' Point (a campsite which no longer exists).  The bridges down near the Potomac River end of Priscilla's Trail were built by Boy Scouts.  

For many years Priscilla's Trail continued to be maintained by Pat Butt and her Senior troop.  Today it is the location of several geocaches, placed by the GSCNC Association 70 Centennial Committee in conjunction with the new Junior Geocaching Badge.

Priscilla's Trail is a great nature hike, covering all sorts of terrain from creek to ridge, through woods, to the river.  Along the way can be found footprints of the area wildlife, plants such as Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Lichens, Mosses, many types of fern (including Christmas Tree Fern), and quite the variety of trees. Priscilla's Trail is a beautiful and enjoyable experience.

Priscilla Oliver's Picnic Shelter, located next to the pool, was also dedicated in her honor.

For more info on the flora and fauna of Priscilla’s Trail, download this wonderful handout,  “Priscilla’s Trail Scavenger Hunt,” created several years ago by Troop 479.