Camp Helendade was a gift of Helen and Dade Davis in 1960 as a replacement for Camp Arataba. Arataba's main lodge burnt down earlier that year. Despite the catastrophic damage to the camp's most important building, the rest of camp went largely unscathed, with the First Aid Cabin, Pool, and other structures left intact. However, the land was a leasehold on Forest Service Land, and the donation of land in Running Springs represented a very important opportunity for the Arrowhead Area Council.

When the they read of the tragedy, Helen and Dade decided to Scouting a wedding present that Dade had given Helen; a tract of land near Running Springs. The property, soon to become a Scout camp, originally consisted of over 400 acres. Dade Davis organized construction of the new buildings at the camp. These were the main lodge, warehouse, commissary (now the rear of the new dining hall) and the Ranger's house. To accomodate the Scout campers, 10 campsites were created.