Tree of Life Lutheran Bible Camp

Camper Information

Our camp is sponsored by the Northern California churches in fellowship with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Enrollment is open to children and teens from our congregations. Children of WELS or ELS congregation members, students at congregation schools, or other children who are reached by a WELS or ELS congregation's ministry and can be recommended by their pastor are invited.

Each age group has its own activities and study program. Age group divisions have changed starting in 2019.

Juniors are campers who will be entering grades 4-6 in the fall.
Intermediates are campers entering grades 7-9 (formerly 7-8).
Seniors are campers entering grades 10-12 (formerly 9-12), or having just completed grade 12.
Little Lambs are children of counselors and other staff below grade 4.

The purpose of our camp is the re-creation of the campers. Their minds and bodies are refreshed through Bible study and recreation in God's beautiful nature world. Our motto is from Colossians 3:17— “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Our specific objectives are (1) to deepen our young people's knowledge and faith through Bible study, (2) to develop their faith-lives of service, and (3) to build Christian friendship and fellowship.

For this year's rates and dates, see our front page. Registration is online at our registration page.

Snack bar cards are available in $5 and $10 denominations, with a $15 maximum per camper. We recommend at most $10 for Juniors and Intermediates. Campers with snack bar cards do not need money during the week, and we discourage bringing it.

Can't afford it? First ask your pastor if help is available from your congregation. Congregations whose members need additional assistance should have their pastor contact the camp business manager, as we are able to offer reduced rates in some cases.

Registration and medical forms and fees are due three weeks before the first day of camp. Late registrations are accepted on a space-available basis only; please telephone if your registration will be late. Make checks payable to Tree of Life Lutheran Bible Camp, Inc., and mail to Timothy Mann, Camp Business Manager, 518 Channing Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301; phone 650-283-3895 (cell); email treasurer@TreeOfLifeBibleCamp.org.

Cabin assignments are made prior to camp and are final. If special arrangements are necessary, please make a note on your child's registration form.

Camp grounds are in the Sierra foothills at 2500 ft. elevation. Daytime temperatures can reach 100 degrees; campers should pack accordingly. The grounds are shaded by evergreens and deciduous trees. Facilities include cabins and bunkhouses; showers, a dining hall, and meeting rooms; hiking trail; areas for soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball, and other sports; an on-site swimming pool; and areas for games and crafts.

Camp is located off Interstate 80 about 15 miles east of Auburn. Take Interstate 80 to the Weimar Cross Road exit. Exit on the ramp, then turn right (nearly 180 degrees) onto Ponderosa Way. Turn left off of Ponderosa Way at the first opportunity (less than a block), onto East Weimar Cross Road. Follow this road until its end, about 5 miles.

Camp mailing address for letters to your child is Capital Mountain Christian Camp, 2550 East Weimar Cross Road, PO Box 1118, Weimar, CA 95736. Please do not mail registration forms to this address! Tree of Life is not affiliated with Capital Mountain; we only rent their facilities for one week each year.

Currently (2025) there is no landline phone number at camp, and very little cell phone reception. We do have some WiFi Internet access for staff (not for campers), but not everyone has WiFi calling on their phones. If you need to get a message to your child or our staff, you can text our camp director Pastor John Derme's cell phone 775-971-7400, as texts get through to him faster and more reliably than voicemail or live phone calls. You can also try Tim Mann at 650-283-3895, as his cell phone does have WiFi calling, so messages may get through faster depending on the WiFi reception. Emails to either of us also will get through but may not be received or seen immediately.

Staff includes the camp director, Bible instructors, counselors, activities director, handicrafts director and assistants. Counselors are adult members of our congregations who supervise up to ten campers each. Nurse and lifeguard are provided.

All medications coming to camp must be kept and administered by the camp nurse. Label medication with the camper's name and exact instructions. Please check your child for head lice before camp.

We are legally incorporated in the State of California, with a seven-member board of directors drawn from our sponsoring churches. We ask each church to send an official representative to our annual meeting; others interested in the camp are also welcome at this and other meetings.

Camp rules and the daily schedule will be followed. Tree of Life is designed to be a week of Christian togetherness, so certain items and activities that tend to isolate individuals or lead them into temptation are forbidden. Items may be confiscated and returned at the end of camp.

Cell phones and similar electronic devices may not be used outside the cabin without staff permission.
Shaving cream, comic books, BB or pellet guns, and skateboards are not permitted at camp.
Smoking or vaping by campers is not allowed. Adults may do so only in certain designated areas and not in the presence of campers.
Public displays of romantic affection (PDAs) are not allowed.

Camp dress code is motivated by 1 Corinthians 6, which reminds us that "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you... Therefore honor God with your body." See What to bring for the dress code in words and pictures.

Visitors are not generally permitted, out of concern for the safety and security of all Tree of Life campers and staff, as well as the Capital Mountain Camp staff. However, parents and family of the campers are encouraged to come on Friday nights to watch the camp presentations. All visitors must obtain permission from the Camp Director prior to arrival, and must check in with the Camp Director upon arrival. Unapproved persons will not be allowed to come on to camp property. All decisions of the Camp Director are final. The Camp Director and the management of Capital Mountain Camp reserve the right to revoke camp attendance privileges for any person, at any time. Visitors will not be allowed to deter staff from supervising their campers, or to detract from the operation of the camp.

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