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Tree of Life Lutheran Bible Camp


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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.

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 650-853-1304 (home), 650-283-3895 (cell), or 650-427-1771 (work); 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.

Phone number at camp is 530-637-5368. This is a Capital Mountain landline, not a Tree of Life phone, and it should be used only for urgent calls. Campers may not use Capital Mountain's phone except for urgent calls with permission of both Tree of Life and Capital Mountain staff. There is no cell phone reception at camp.

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 campers and staff are covered by accident insurance.

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.

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. Visitors will be charged for meals and overnight accommodations (if approved by the Camp Director) at the same rate as the host camp.


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