Our Mission: Providing profound experiences in God's creation

 

Located in the coastal redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, experiencing our smallness and

God's awesomeness is a daily experience just by stepping foot on camp.

Add in our challenge course, hiking trails, archery, campfires, worship space, climbing tower,

and great food, and we're set to build a program for you that has you reaching deeper into

your understanding of who you are in this world our God loves.

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We run 7 weeks of onsite summer camp during (as well as coming to you!),

host several of our own retreats,

and are open the rest of the time for groups of all sizes and shapes

to use our facilities and build their own programs.

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We hope you'll consider coming out and experiencing the profound grace of God here!

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ACA Accredited

Since 2014, we've been proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA)!

The ACA sets the gold standard for camp operations across the country, and you can be assured that the facilities, programs, staff, and operational procedures of any accredited camp meet their health and safety standards. For more on what it means to be accredited, click here. 

 

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History

We've been doing ministry in the Santa Cruz Mountains for more than 70 years!

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Mt. Cross Lutheran Bible Camp (original name), began after a group of Lutheran Christians

in the northern California region identified this place to enrich youth ministry programs.

Since 1948, with the help of numerous pastors, church leaders, and partner organizations,

Mt. Cross has remained a beautiful and spiritual home for youth, young adults, families,

churches, and outside organizations.

 

Have an event to add to our history? Contact Us!

 

 

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Our Foundation

We're jointly owned by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and

the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS). While their politics are different, 

both church bodies are deeply rooted in the Lutheran tradition, including

the belief that God’s grace is freely given through faith in Jesus Christ.

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Within that, our actual governance is informed by the theology, culture, and values

of the ELCA, and our executive leadership is out of the ELCA.

 

Learn more about the ELCA

 

Learn more about the LCMS

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