A young woman told me, after serving as a counselor at Camp Cedar Falls for one summer, that the experience had impressed her with the value of spending time in an Adventist atmosphere. She had gone to public schools and had just finished her first year at on full scholarship at an Ivy League college in the East. After her summer at Camp Cedar Falls she decided to give up the remaining three years of a four-year scholarship and go to Pacific Union College.

Naturally, we were delighted that just one summer in our camp had been life changing for her but, while her particular decision was an amazing one it was not the first time a young counselor or camper had felt impressed to reprioritize after weeks or months at the camp. Each year many young people decide to be baptized, others decide to go to Christian schools and or accept Jesus as their Saviour for the first time.

I believe these kinds of changes can occur in young lives because when the youth come to the camp they can leave their cares at home. Their minds are open and relaxed and in a setting in which we can better minister to them. One parent expressed appreciation to the conference for opening up a camp “where my children can come for a place of refuge.”

Southern California Conference believes in having a camp for its young people. That’s why the organization subsidizes one-third of the cost for each camper, so instead of paying $350 per week, a camper pays only $200.

The Youth Ministries Department sponsors 6 weeks of summer camp at Camp Cedar Falls in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains. Campers may choose either a 4- or 7-day residential camp week. Three lacto-ovo vegetarian meals a day plus 24 hours of supervision are provided. A camper is never left alone during their stay.

Dedicated Christian counselors chosen from our local churches and schools supervise campers. The counselors are trained and have met a high standard set by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Their training covers three major aspects: First, counselors aim to make Christ real by exemplifying Jesus in their lives. Safety is the second aspect in the total program. Lastly, we want every camper to have fun at camp and to experience it as the happiest place on earth.

A camp pastor is brought in weekly to teach all campers spiritual lessons with the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Friend. We encourage campers to have morning and evening worship in the cabins with their counselors, besides having the camp pastor speak twice a day for camp council.

The summer-camp program offers many activities such as horsemanship, swimming, crafts, ceramics, lanyards, hiking, nature study, gymnastics, go-carts, BMX bikes, field and court games, basketball camp, water skiing and more. Campers rotate through the different activities and have one period a day in which they may choose an area.

For the past two years, pictures were posted daily on www,campcedarfalls.net to view camp activities and parents might even see their child in action. Plans are to continue this program this summer. Readers can go to the camp website and see last year’s pictures. You may also download the 2005 application and brochure.

Please call 818-546-8442 if you have any questions or would like to receive an application through the mail.

We hope to see your child(ren) at camp this summer.