It’s time to plan for camp! This year our teen camp in California will once again be located at the Sierra Christian Service Camp facility in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Camp Sequoia sits at the southern end of the Sequoia National Forest in the Central Valley of California. The camp is about an hour and a half northeast of Bakersfield and two hours southeast of Fresno. The camp rises 4,500 feet above the valley floor and is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges, an assortment of trees and sloping hills that overlook the valley below.

Almost all activities are within walking distance of the dining hall and other buildings, making it very easy to get around the camp. The large open activity field sits at the center of camp and supplies a great location for a slip and slide, field games and novelty Olympics. Mornings start with a Compass Check at the dining hall; and as the sun sets each day, the camp will gather at the campfire, overlooking a small lake at the west end of the camp.

Activities this year include Christian Living, dance, sand volleyball, basketball, archery, riflery and skeet shooting, speedaway, capture the flag, team building, swimming (in an indoor pool) and hiking in a majestic mountain terrain. We have also added rock climbing back into the program this year. In addition to the regular activities, campers will also enjoy a welcome dance, novelty Olympics and a banquet/dance at the end of camp. Campers can also participate in camper speeches, hymn sing, skits and the popular talent search.

All camper dorms have restroom and sink facilities inside the dorms, as well as showers connecting two individual dorms, making mornings and evenings a snap.

Dates and times

Campers should arrive Sunday, July 22. Camper registration will be conducted from 1 to 4 p.m. Transportation can be arranged from the Fresno or Bakersfield airports.

If traveling by air, campers should plan to arrive at the airport no later than 2 p.m. to be able to arrive at camp on time. Checkout and departure for campers and staff will be from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, July 29. Please plan flights accordingly. Transportation for earlier flights will be provided. Airport departures should be no later than early afternoon.

Staff arrival

This year we will have staff training ON-SITE! Staff should arrive Friday afternoon, July 20. Dinner and training will run from 5 p.m. to sunset. Housing will be provided. Sabbath services will be conducted at the camp with services starting at 2:30 p.m. Additional training and staff registration will take place Saturday evening. Sunday morning (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) will be set aside for activity preparation and counselor prep time.

Specific staff needs

We are looking for staff members who hold current certifications in archery, nursing, rock climbing, lifeguarding and riflery. Kitchen help is also needed. Questions about specific staff needs should be directed to the camp director. 

Get your applications in soon for another wonderful summer at Camp Sequoia!