At the close of World War II the need of a summer camp for our young people of our Churches was recognized by the Ministers of the area.  So with the recognized 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.

            Until 1957 our camp met for one week including the high school and college age young people, then the decision was made, because of growth and need for the Junior young people a second week was added to our camping schedule known as the Junior High School Camp.  This included those attending of the sixth through eighth grades.
            After several years of successful camping and growth with our young folks making their 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.
            Our dreams of having our own camping session on our own property were realized on August 13, through September 4, 1967.  

OUR ACCOMPILSHMENTS
 
            Because of a necessity 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 was started with the clearing off of the mountain side for the grading and construction of our 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.  This did raise the interest of the people and work started on our buildings with our goal of finishing the restrooms and kitchen and having camp ready for the camping session to start August 13, 1967.

OUR GOAL
 
            What has been the dream of every member of the Board of Directors has now become our goal.  With the work that has been done at the campsite we are now looking forward to the complete construction of a camp that will take care of  two hundred and fifty campers and personnel.
            Our cabins will be constructed of an all metal prefabricated Gothic “A” frame Behlan building.  These cabins will be 18’ x 32’ cabins to be used as camp headquarters, nurse’s quarters and the camp store and storage. 
            Plans now are for our mess hall to be of the dome type Behlan with kitchen attached.  The dining room will seat 250 and will be insulated so that it can be used all year round.  Plans are to have a large fire place in one end so that all or part can be used as a recreation room when not being used as a dining room.
            On the northeast end of our present campsite is a hill that overlooks the camp and gives a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and canyons.  Our Chapel will be built on top of this hill.  The Chapel will be a complete house of worship and will be used for Chapel and Vesper services during camp.  It will be constructed of a Gothic “A” frame the same as our cabins but will be approximately 32’ x 70’ in size with baptistery.  All that goes with making a real nice Chapel.  

There is an area that would be easy to build and amphitheatre on, that can be so constructed that it can be used for all the camp fine arts presentations and their camp fire services.  There is also plenty of room to construct one or two more complete camps if the need arises.
            Our present goal for this year is to construct six of the cabins and the nurse’s quarters and cook quarters and lay out more cabin sites so that cabins can be built as needed.  However we hope to be able to purchase 10 16’ x 16’ tents and use them as we need them in place of cabins.  We will pour the floor for the dining hall before the first of the year.  However we plan to use the large tents again for the mess hall and Chapel until we can build the dining room.
            We are seeking permission from the government to construct a dam to retain the water from our springs for a reservoir, “Lake”, this will also be used for swimming and possibly boating.
            With these great plans in mind for a great summer camp in the area for the youth of our churches we will go on building and praying for the Lord’s help and your support both in talents and labor and financial help.  It’s a big job but with The Lord’s help and God’s will, we can do it.

Many thanks to the hours and 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!