The land on which sits Alliance Redwoods had since the 19th century belonged to the lumber baron Melvin Cyrus “Boss” Meeker. After the clearcutting of the area and the dissolution of the North Pacific Coast Railroad, the land was sold. In 1946, the Christian and Missionary Alliance purchased land along the Bohemian Corridor from the Meeker family, in hopes of building their own summer camp, where members of the Central Pacific District could host their annual family camp program.
What they began in 1946 has seen more growth than they could have imagined.
For 80 years, Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds has been a place of renewal where our guests meet the Creator in His Creation.
Millions of people have come to this place and experienced a significant life transformation. From unhoused populations during COVID to Hollywood commercial crews to CAL Fire teams, from Outdoor Education students to various men’s groups to treehouse visitors, no one has left Alliance Redwoods untouched by the hospitality of its people and the majesty of its trees.
We are celebrating these 80 years of Christian camping growth and innovation by looking to the next 80 years.
Who will be the next camper to give their life to Christ? Who will be the next zipliner to face their fears? Who will be the next staff member to leave their mark? Who will be the next donor to finance a dream?
On August 6th, 1985, students at Junior High Camp wrote,
“I am a new person today because I have a new friend. My new friend is the Lord, God, Christ.”
“I (am) glad to receive (the) Lord into my heart. I (am) very proud of myself.”
“I have decided to rededicate my life to God.”
Our new Vision Statement is simple: We do camp, because at camp lives are changed.
For 80 years, campers have carried their sleeping bags and pillows across the bridge, bags packed with bug spray, sunscreen, flashlights, and flip-flops.
For 80 years, voices have rung out over the haze of campfire smoke, hands have been sticky with charred marshmallow, and giggles have carried from cabins as chaperones turn off the light. Students have watched wide-eyed as our staff show them the bellies of newts and have taken a chance on tasting a proffered piece of Redwood sorrel. Adults have stepped into the woods and taken a deep breath, reveling in the crisp flavor of a forest glade and the relief of standing here, rather than in their offices and boardrooms.
When camp is empty we feel the absence of that laughter like a weight. When camp is full, our staff comes alive, every department moving about their days with a refreshed glee. We do camp. As Disney’s French candle once said, “Life is so unnerving for a servant who’s not serving.” It is one thing to have service as tall as our trees, and another entirely to have no one to serve. In reopening our Outdoor Education program for public schools and in offering new flexible seasonal pricing, we aim to always have someone here to serve. In making camp accessible to everyone through scholarships, we aim to give new hearts a chance for that same life transformation we have seen for decades.
