LRCC: Lutheran Retreats, Camps & Conferences

I had two daughters that had been there before and can't wait to go back and a son who went for the first time who said "It was awesome!”

My son really enjoyed it and wants to stay for the whole week next year. We are going to try to go to winter camp.

The kids from my church had an excellent and blessing time. They growth in their faith and had lots of fun. Thank you very much.

My son had such a wonderful time at camp. He is already asking about going back next year!

My son said he was definitely returning next year, even if he had to pay for it himself!

My son does not "fit in" with his peers at school, and he really doesn't have any friends.  He felt accepted and included at camp.  He was appreciated for his sense of humor and his intelligence.  In viewing the pictures on line (eCamp), I saw him on the fringe of most group activities on Tuesday.  It appeared that the other campers and staff were trying to draw him into the group, though he was reluctant.  Then on Wednesday he seemed to blossom.  He got up and spoke in front of the whole group.  He was smiling from ear to ear.  He got up and did a solo comedy act at the talent show (I have to admit that he was planning his act even before he got to camp this year).

My daughter hasn't stopped talking about her experience there.  She is singing the songs all the time and talks about all her wonderful counselors.  She said the food was amazing and refuses to eat mine.  She is definitely going back next year and she already asked to be sent to your winter camp.

Grandmother here, and the grandchildren have gone home to Northern California.  They talked a lot about camp when they came back to my house. A lot was about their friends, the counselors, swimming. They were in art and music camp and loved all of it . . . I think the skits best, but I could be wrong. They liked dancing, the crafts, and the songs as well. They sang camp songs all the way to a friend’s house the next day.

She had a wonderful experience and wants to attend Beach Camp again next year.  Evening activities were her favorites. 

She is very curious and asks a lot of questions that I can't always answer.  She was very impressed when one of the counselors came up with an explanation that worked for her on how God made the world in 7 days.  She was confused about where the dinosaurs came in and someone told her maybe God days are like dog years!  She thought that made sense and once again her faith was restored!

Her favorite part of camp was making new friends.  She can't wait to be old enough for the SIT program!  She loved all the opportunities for music, art and (especially) drama.

The thing he mentioned most was sleeping under the stars and seeing fox and squirrels running around them.

I was told that you are supposed to get dirty at camp!

All three of my campers could not stop talking about the excellent, funny, caring staff.

Last year was my son's first year (he was 10) and he went with friends but was homesick and cried the first couple of nights.  I knew he would cry and it killed me!  I had stomach aches all week.   The counselor was very comforting and read from the bible to help my son.  This year my son also went with the same friend and was very proud to say that he was NOT homesick!  He had a great time and came home very tired and dusty.  It is a long drive for us about 3 hours each way but totally worth it.      Thanks God, Jesus and all the staff at El Camino Pines.    Kathy

Loved the skits and music.

He wanted us to sign him up immediately for the next one.  He had an amazing experience.  He could not wait to share his experience with his friends so they could go too.

Susanna enjoyed the entire experience.  She cried on the way home that she wanted to go back to camp!

Olivia loved her counselors. She talked about them for hours and hours after returning home.

He loved his counselors. This was his first experience with overnight camp and it was great. He enjoyed everything especially the food. Thanks for making his first experience so awesome. He'll be back next year.

She loved it all and looks forward to many more years of camp. She enjoyed the activities, the fun counselors, the friendships made. I enjoyed the online pictures (eCamp).

All activities were fun, whether it was beach time or bible time!

My daughter loved the songs and is still singing them around our house.

Once again, she had an amazing time and is already talking about next year and who she might invite to come with her.

My two grandsons' first words to me were, "Can we go again next year???"  They had a great time and made friends!

He especially loved the counselors and loved learning about nature!

My kids love that they know some of the same counselors year after year. They had a great time and are still singing the songs over and over again. This is a blessing in that they can bring these songs home, carry them with them and remember their camp experience whenever they sing them.

Both my daughters, who are very different personalities, respected and admired their counselors for their humor, warmth and encouragement. Both girls cannot wait to come back next year and I know they will benefit from the lessons learned at camp. I want my daughters to love to serve others and that message coming from 'cool' counselors is more impactful than from Mom sometimes. Thank you for everything!!!

Both girls seemed to have a great time! There were no complaints. They didn't want to leave

Archery line way too long...he didn't get to do much of that and was disappointed.  He liked his counselor and liked the overnight hike although he did get wound of the week!

"It's the best thing I've ever done in my life!"

Our girls had a great time. On Sunday they told the church congregation about their awesome weekend and sang a couple of songs they learned.

That it was amazing!

All the campers from Holy Trinity expressed the good time and fun they had at El Camino Pines.  They were so excited when they returned.  Some of them didn't want to leave.  All of them want to return next year.  Thank you for all the support, help and generosity that you give to the youth of Holy Trinity.  You are appreciated!

She said she LOVED it!! She had a really great time. Oh - and the guys in California are totally HOT!!!

Loved, loved, loved the food!  Really.  Next he mentioned the LONG hike and sleeping outside.  Enjoyed archery time (first time thing).  Said he was kept busy and had a great counselor.  Came back with a ton of songs he learned and stories about crazy squirrels and giant bugs.  This was his first long term time away from home and he said he was never homesick.....

He really enjoyed all aspects of the beach camp week.

He loved the camp staff. It was his first time away from home and they made it a good experience. He was excited when they were showing him (a desert rat) how to surf.  Also he doesn't particularly like to sing and he was singing his heart and has been singing the songs since he got home!

She had a wonderful time and made lots of new friends

She really enjoyed everything. Sleeping outside one night was really fun. The wonderful & inspirational songs she learned were great & will stay with her. All the staff were great. She was a little shy about participating during Bible study & skits. There were so few other kids, I think she would have enjoyed more new friends to meet. Thank you all for everything.

I brought four kids to confirmation camp and all of them raved about their experiences.  Each of them had new and exciting experiences, loved their counselors and made new friends.  I think they also learned a lot and felt refreshed in their faith.  I could not have asked for a better program and two of them asked to come back next year rather than our bi-annual trip to Yosemite, which they have both attended!

He learned more about the biblical studies, the camp was amazing and it has fine and great cabins.

Best time ever!  Would like to volunteer, be a leader some day.  The devotion was his favorite part-I was surprised by that because he is so active.

I was impressed that in the first five minutes of arriving that the counselors had already found out what my son's interests were.  I was also impressed at how well my daughter was greeted when we went back to pick up her brother's.  She was there for the three day session.

My child loved the experience of camp; the bible study, the making of new friends, the FOOD!

My son was not so thrilled before he went, but when he got home, he was excited and plans to attend next year.  He made new friends in nearby churches.  I think it was good for him to meet other Lutheran kids from the area, in addition to the same 6-7 of his age at our church.

He loved the food, three times a day! It was his first experience staying outside of "civilization" and it was a good experience for him.

What did you as a Parent, value most about this program?

The counselors seem very well trained, friendly and helpful.  I felt my children were in a very safe and caring environment.

The whole program of fun with some religious classes. I like the theme of serving this year. It also helped my son gain some independence.

Spiritual growth 

Relax time

IT helped my child get closer to God.

I enjoy that it is a Christian based camp and that while the children are having lots of fun, they are still learning about the word of God.

Warm, accepting atmosphere; Christian studies; variety of things to do.

The friendliness of everyone and how everyone is included.

In addition to the religious aspects of camp, I valued the "inclusion" my son experienced.  He was the youngest boy at camp, but the other guys made him feel accepted and valued.  That did a lot for this self-esteem.

Confidence that my kids were having a great time with good people in an environment that promotes growth with their relationship with God and others.

The attention that is given to the children as well as the time you spend teaching them about the Lord, about serving and caring.  That is exactly what I want my daughter to learn and what I teach her at home.

That they felt included and valued, that they had a wonderful time and most important that they were introduced to a God of fun and laughter and joy.

My child has a positive experience, has a fun time, enjoy the away experience, make new friends, and learn about God.

The chance for her to have fun with fellow Christians in this type of atmosphere.

The value lessons that were naturally woven in to a week of fun and games for the kids, i.e. serving, caring for the environment, and loving each as Jesus loves us.

A safe, Christian environment for the children to explore nature, independence and responsibility.

A safe environment.

The opportunity for the kids to enjoy the leadership of young, fun, "cool" adults in faith and life issues.

I think there were a variety of activities.  The theme seemed to be consistent (Christianity) The boys always like the food!  There were no complaints there.  When I picked up the 3 boys I was impressed with Pastor Glen who runs the camp.  I don't know who he was but I liked the way he "closed" the camp with the uplifting service and the rock cross, etc.  On your questions would we recommend the camp.  We did to our neighbor and their 11 year old attended as well.

A quality camp.

Activities are varied and keep child involved

The energetic staff with an inspiring approach

Ability to send emails and see pictures each day.

That it is a fun, religious based camp.

That our children are able to see young adults that are great Christians too.

that my child was in a safe Christian enviorment where she could grow and meet others

It gives my daughter a chance to be on her own, away from us, and gives her a sense of confidence!

The friendly counselors and how they made all kids feel welcome.

The Christian aspect. Worship everyday had to impress on her the importance her time there and it was FUN worship.

You taught them that others around the world also have faith and a different way you can show it through music and songs not shown or sung at church

I appreciate that my daughter can attend a church camp where she can learn, have fun, and come back home more committed to her faith.

The fact that he had a great time in a "camp" environment, which is Christian based.

I value the time he can spend with others and have fun learning more about God, reading the Bible, and putting what he is learning to use in a safe environment.

The energy from the counselors and how religious ideas were presented in an inspirational way

it was religion based

The Christian environment, the "modeling" of the value of a spiritual life, the enthusiasm generated about our Creator

Foundational, thematic learning based on the Bible

She came home talking about serving God and how she might do it in this community.

Knowing that camp was a Christ-centered experience for the boys.

It was a Lutheran camp and he could see other young Christians as "cool" role models.

The Christian based program. Also, the safety and the memorable camp experience. The Christian counselors and administrators.

Christian based. Also, really valued the econnect and daily photos uploaded on the website. Checked every day and saw in my kids faces online that they were having a good time. Grandparents also checked photos and were able to send messages. Awesome.

That he was in a safe environment, with people who cared about him, and he could have fun and be exposed to new ways to deepen his faith.  And to see older kids and young adults be excited about Jesus.

Wholesome, healthy, loving, Christian based FUN!

We came back to our VBS and both girls are knowledgeable of the songs, fun prayers and positive attitude of leading. They have been helpful and confident to others during the various activities.

Friendships, leaning more about god and what he did for us. helping the girls be on their own without mom and dad

The camping and bonding with male role models.

That she was with kids she knew, kids she got to know, with staff I trusted, in a beautiful place filled with God's grace & beauty.

I went to camp here as a middle schooler.  At that time, it was overwhelming to me the presence of the Holy Spirit and the fellowship amongst other Lutherans.  I loved the entire experience, and would hope that my children would get the same thing out of it.  It sounds like they did.

They learn about Gods Love and have fun while there doing it.

That my son had a wonderful time and made   many friends.

The closeness of the counselors to the children-bonded

The organization, the spiritual development, exposing the children to the outdoors and spending time with others from around the County of Los Angeles.

That it kept the kids active and involved, but with enough downtime to avoid feeling regimented.

Positive role models, faith development, fostering independence, chance to interact with others.

Of course, safety is always a parent's concern with a child.  It was handled well.  That the program was Christ centered made us feel his time was well spent while having fun.

My child’s ability to cope on his own and make new friends. Also that the camp was church based and would provide strong values and beliefs

That it was structured and well supervised with emphasis placed on worship and devotions.  It ended up that he states that was his favorite part.

We made last minute arrangements and the camp was able to accommodate us and our daughter had many activities to choose from

My child experiencing how others feel & bring God in their lives every day.

As a pastor I valued the whole program: the professionalism of the staff, the whole camp experience and particularly the Confirmation Camp experience for my students.

Appreciated the care my child received (apparently she was in the nurses office a few times w/minor accidents.  She felt very comfortable w/staff.

The four biblical studies

It's reputation.  It has been around for years!

The caring of the staff and the Christian values that are learned.

That my child was able to grow in Faith with others her age. At home she often feels embarrassed praying or discussing God and Jesus, or does not pay attention to the lessons in Sunday School. Being able to be amongst her peers I'm sure helped her strengthen her faith.

I appreciated the Christian emphasis, and the opportunity for my son to socialize with his peer group in a healthy, wholesome environment.

The positive gathering with a religious undertone.

Great concentration of learning, service, and worship with tremendous role models and new friends.

His chance to connect with other children his age, and to share the commonality of faith.

The opportunity for fellowship with other Christians in a fun and relaxed setting