Our History
THE BEGINNING OF SIERRA CHRISTIAN CAMP
At the close of World War II, around 1945, the need of a summer camp for our young people of our Churches was recognized by the Ministers of the area. With the need in mind and an interest to do something about it, a group of Ministers formed what is now known as the “Sierra Christian Service Camp”.
The first camp session was held at Lake Sequoia and Brother Alvan Tiffen, at that time the Minister of the Tulare Church, was the first Director. Several years later the camp was moved to the Kern County summer camp on Greenhorn Mountain for a short period of time, then moved to Whitaker Forest in Sequoia National Park in 1953.
At the close of World War II, around 1945, the need of a summer camp for our young people of our Churches was recognized by the Ministers of the area. With the need in mind and an interest to do something about it, a group of Ministers formed what is now known as the “Sierra Christian Service Camp”.
The first camp session was held at Lake Sequoia and Brother Alvan Tiffen, at that time the Minister of the Tulare Church, was the first Director. Several years later the camp was moved to the Kern County summer camp on Greenhorn Mountain for a short period of time, then moved to Whitaker Forest in Sequoia National Park in 1953.
From 1953 till 1957 our high school and college youth met for one week of camp, and then the decision was made to add a second week to our camping schedule known as the Junior High School Camp. This included those attending the sixth through eighth grades.
After several years of successful camping and growth with our young folks making decisions to serve Christ, Whitaker Forest was closed down by the owners, the University of California, and we moved back to Greenhorn, and then again to Camp Millwood Lake Sequoia until 1966.
The Lord was good to us in these years, we prospered and grew and the need for larger and better camping facilities prompted our leaders to incorporate the camp. In May of 1961 our camp was incorporated as the “Sierra Christian Service Camp, Inc”. This enabled the camp to purchase and own real property. Now the search was on with all of the members looking into every location that was offered to us as a possible campsite. In November of 1964 the present property, 80 acres, located above Balance Rock, California was purchased. The property was formerly a ranch owned by Bill Williams.
Our dreams of having our own camping session on our own property were realized on August 13, through September 4, 1967.
After several years of successful camping and growth with our young folks making decisions to serve Christ, Whitaker Forest was closed down by the owners, the University of California, and we moved back to Greenhorn, and then again to Camp Millwood Lake Sequoia until 1966.
The Lord was good to us in these years, we prospered and grew and the need for larger and better camping facilities prompted our leaders to incorporate the camp. In May of 1961 our camp was incorporated as the “Sierra Christian Service Camp, Inc”. This enabled the camp to purchase and own real property. Now the search was on with all of the members looking into every location that was offered to us as a possible campsite. In November of 1964 the present property, 80 acres, located above Balance Rock, California was purchased. The property was formerly a ranch owned by Bill Williams.
Our dreams of having our own camping session on our own property were realized on August 13, through September 4, 1967.
OUR GOALS
The decision to start construction of our new camp was made at our annual meeting in November of 1966. Plans were laid out, committees were chosen by our present Chairman, Keith Sink, and under his leadership and our faith in the Lord construction started with the clearing off of the mountain side to construct a road to the campsite. This operation was carried on through the winter months with the men from the churches in the valley coming up to help. In the early spring of 1967 we constructed our road with the men of the valley again using their knowledge and talents to complete this engineering feat. In May, 1967 we contracted for the drilling of our water well and the installation of our pump. With this completed and the electricity installed we were ready for the real task ahead; building the modern restrooms, shower facilities, and our kitchen with necessary and adequate sewage and disposal system.
On July 4, 1967 a Pit Barbeque was held in order to promote the interest of our church members and to acquaint them with our camp potential. The goal was to finish the restrooms and kitchen and have camp ready for the camping session to start August 13, 1967.
The decision to start construction of our new camp was made at our annual meeting in November of 1966. Plans were laid out, committees were chosen by our present Chairman, Keith Sink, and under his leadership and our faith in the Lord construction started with the clearing off of the mountain side to construct a road to the campsite. This operation was carried on through the winter months with the men from the churches in the valley coming up to help. In the early spring of 1967 we constructed our road with the men of the valley again using their knowledge and talents to complete this engineering feat. In May, 1967 we contracted for the drilling of our water well and the installation of our pump. With this completed and the electricity installed we were ready for the real task ahead; building the modern restrooms, shower facilities, and our kitchen with necessary and adequate sewage and disposal system.
On July 4, 1967 a Pit Barbeque was held in order to promote the interest of our church members and to acquaint them with our camp potential. The goal was to finish the restrooms and kitchen and have camp ready for the camping session to start August 13, 1967.
OUR CONSTRUCTION
What had been the dream of every board member was now a reality. With the work that had been done at the camp we anticipated the completion of a camp that will house one hundred and sixty campers, and some day up to two hundred and fifty campers and personell.
A few cabins were constructed of an all metal prefabricated Gothic “A” frame Behlan buildings. These buildings were 18’ x 32’ and used as cabins, nurse’s quarters, and the camp store and storage. For a short time 10 16’ x 16’ tents were used while cabins were still under construction.
On the northeast end of our present campsite was a hill that overlooked the camp and gave a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and canyons. Our Chapel was built on top of that hill. For the first few years of operation the Chapel was a large tent structure.
What had been the dream of every board member was now a reality. With the work that had been done at the camp we anticipated the completion of a camp that will house one hundred and sixty campers, and some day up to two hundred and fifty campers and personell.
A few cabins were constructed of an all metal prefabricated Gothic “A” frame Behlan buildings. These buildings were 18’ x 32’ and used as cabins, nurse’s quarters, and the camp store and storage. For a short time 10 16’ x 16’ tents were used while cabins were still under construction.
On the northeast end of our present campsite was a hill that overlooked the camp and gave a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and canyons. Our Chapel was built on top of that hill. For the first few years of operation the Chapel was a large tent structure.
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Like the Chapel, the Dining Room was first constructed as a large tent. The permanent Dining Room was constructed from a kit building prefabricated in Tennessee and shipped by train and eventually delivered to our camp. The dining room would seat 200 and was insulated so it could be used all year round. A large fire place was constructed in one end.
There was an area that was developed into an amphitheatre for all the camp fine arts presentations and camp fire services. On the upper 40 acres there is also plenty of room to construct many more buildings if the need arises.
With the help of the Army Core of Engineers, a dam was constructed to retain the water from our springs for a pond. The pond be used for fire protection, swimming, fishing, and boating.
There was an area that was developed into an amphitheatre for all the camp fine arts presentations and camp fire services. On the upper 40 acres there is also plenty of room to construct many more buildings if the need arises.
With the help of the Army Core of Engineers, a dam was constructed to retain the water from our springs for a pond. The pond be used for fire protection, swimming, fishing, and boating.
OUR SUCCESS
Many thanks to the hundreds of hours of volunteer labor and church support! We now have our Chapel. Pool, Kitchen, Dining Room, and Pond, plus 13 cabins and other staff facilities. We have big plans to keep growing as well. We would love to see the completion of our irrigation system, the addition of several cabins, and even the addition of a new Lodge, Camp Store / Coffee Shop / Gymnasium / and Game Room.
Check out our Giving link to see how you can be involved!
Many thanks to the hundreds of hours of volunteer labor and church support! We now have our Chapel. Pool, Kitchen, Dining Room, and Pond, plus 13 cabins and other staff facilities. We have big plans to keep growing as well. We would love to see the completion of our irrigation system, the addition of several cabins, and even the addition of a new Lodge, Camp Store / Coffee Shop / Gymnasium / and Game Room.
Check out our Giving link to see how you can be involved!
Arial photo of camp taken in the 60's. The pond, road, cabins 1-4, and kitchen are visible.
2016 View by drone.