Alpine Outdoor Education
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History of Alpine

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The Clipper Sawmill
The Serrano Native Americans used this place as their "Makuala", which means mountain home. A few artifacts, such as an obsidian skinning knife have been unearthed by Outdoor Education students and Alpine Staff. There is no known history before this.

In the mid-1800s, sawmills started popping up all over the mountains. Clipper Sawmill was set up right where the current Redwood lodge is located.
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By the early 1900s, the tourists started to arrive on the mountains! In 1930, the Arrowhead Alpine Club was built. It was a plush resort that attracted the rich and famous from Los Angeles. 
The complex consisted of a large lodge with a central lounge, a dining hail on the south end and a cafe/bar at the north end (the current Redwood Dining/Lodge and The Branch). On the hill above were six cabins for guests, which are still in use today. Later a pool and pool house were built.
During this period many Hollywood stars were among the guests. A leather bound guest book documents visits from Fred Astaire, Bette Davis, Shirley Temple and Mr. Black, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Jane Russell, June Lockhart, Richard B. Harrington, Betty Grable James and others. The dates of these visitors range from 1944 to 1950. The business failed in 1956 due to liquor license violations and threats from governmental agencies to close the club.
In the same year that the club failed, the Evangelical Covenant Churches of Southern California were seeking a campsite of their own. In February of 1957, some Covenanters were at a retreat in Twin Peaks when a realtor was also there. He was supposed to meet another party to show them the Arrowhead Alpine Club which was now up for sale. When the original party did not show up, the realtor took Bob and Dorothy Lundberg and Dan Seagren to see the facility. They liked what they saw. They needed a deposit in three days so Dan Seagren even got a loan on his VW to help raise the required $8000 deposit. The down payment on the buildings and adjoining 25 acres of land was $39,000. When the proposed Covenant camp was presented to the churches, all 13 voted to proceed with the purchase.
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Arrowhead Alpine Club
An open house for the churches was held on March 9, 1957. The plans were approved and escrow opened on April 1, 1957. The new name became the Alpine Covenant Conference Center. In the spring of 1963 Doris Bowers was hired by the Long Beach School District to teach in their Outdoor Education program. She was assigned to teach at Alpine and that was the beginning of a long history of Outdoor Education at Alpine.
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The First Makuala Village Camp
​During the time that Doris was employed by Long Beach, Paul Nelson, Alpine’s Director found out that Doris was a Christian. By the summer of 1964 Alpine’s “Makuala” Indian Village was built and Paul Nelson asked Doris to be the manager of the program. She happily agreed.

Alpine has a half-century legacy of providing mountain top encounters with Jesus Christ through Christian camping. Today, Alpine offers a variety of program camps (e.g. Summer and Winter Camps, Men's and Women's Retreats, Music and Arts Camps, etc.), a spirited Outdoor Education curriculum and Guest Rental retreats. These offerings have blessed hundreds of thousands of people both directly and indirectly, from the beaches of southern California to international shores on several continents.
​ Come visit Alpine and see for yourself what they've discovered... and, perhaps, become part of that legacy yourself!
For a free copy of our history, simply call our offices and we will gladly make one available to you. If you have an Alpine story, we would be thrilled to hear it! Call (800) 350-6289

Location

415 Club House Dr.
Blue Jay, CA
92317

PO BOX 155

What Students Are Saying

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Camp was amazing! Donny is the best trail leader EVER!!! The food was delicious! The rock climbing was the most self-esteem building activity! It pushed me past what I thought I could do and made me feel like I can make it through anything if I put my mind to it. So, thank you Alpine for giving me self-esteem!
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Dylinn

6th Grade
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Southern California Student

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I had the most amazing time at camp. I kinda didn't want to go, but I'm so glad my mom made me. I did a ton of things I'd never done, or have been too scared to even THINK of doing. I learned to trust others, and not just depend on myself for everything.
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Darian

7th Grade
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Southern California Student

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This week I had an amazing time. I learned so much more about God than I ever knew before. Baloo's sermon on forgiveness helped me start to forgive my dad and climbing trees gave me confidence I never thought I would ever had. Jacob helped us realized teamwork makes everything easier and I became closer to my classmates in a way I never was before. Alpine is awesome!
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Emily

6th Grade
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Southern California Student

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When I arrived I felt unsure and nervous, but now I feel free and comfortable. Jake was the best trail leader I could ask for and the experiences of the ropes course and zipline were scary but awesome. Best camp ever! All I can say is thank you Alpine. Bless you and your staff
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Jared

6th Grade
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Southern California Student

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My week at camp started with a very interesting first impression from the camp leaders. We went on a fun hike while learning everyones names then next day we went on the innertubes and on the zipline. We had a fun time the next day doing things on the trees. We also in the end saw everyone's skits which was very entertaining even when the Old Spice and Raisins. Overall it was the best thing ever. 
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Valeria

8th Grade
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Southern California Student

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Something I learned this week is that we are all valuable and we really need to take care of ourselves. I had really fun in this camp. I will miss this. I am really amazed because in Korea we don't have this kind at camp or camp trail leaders. I thank you to all. I will never forget about this. this is my best memory in my life. 
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JiWon

8th Grade
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Arizona Student

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Coming to camp was not so much fun sitting on a bus forever but once we got here all the trail leaders were really nice and they made me feel good about myself. I can't wait until my little brother and sister come to have the same experience as me I loved it!!
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Mariah

8th grade
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Arizona Student

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My week at camp was super fun because I got to experience many new things! Three years ago I would never have imagined that I'd be jumping off trees and ziplining over a forest or letting a snake slither through my hands! The trail leaders made the camp to be amazing and I think that Alpine has brought my friends and I closer. I definitely want to come back during the summer.
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Michelle

7th Grade
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Southern California Student

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I never knew how much the wilderness interacted with us. I loved learning about the plants. This has been one of the best experiences of my life. I never imagined it to be this fun. I think the best part was getting to know the staff. I felt at home the whole time. Everyone was so sweet and helpful, the staff was encouraging too. I felt really good about myself. I love how safe I felt too. When I was up in the trees I felt safer than standing on the ground!
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Kaitlin

6th Grade
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Southern California Student

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My week at camp was absolutely great. I enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. Learning about God's creation gave me more appreciation for it and made me really thankful. Over the course of camp I have definitely learned so much and became really close to my fellow peers. It exceeded my expectations wildly. This was my last year so I will not be coming back and I am very pleased to say that I enjoyed this camp very much.
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Mia

6th Grade
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Southern California Student

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When we got here we were greeted nicely, which was amazing. Over the week, we did really fun things that helped build our trust in each other. The ropes course was great. Food was spot on! The Trail Leaders are the best, especially Charmander. I really wish I could stay here forever! Thank you staff for making this the best week of my life! I've been to Europe, Canada, and about 15 states in the U.S.A and this is the only place that I've never wanted to leave. Thank you SO MUCH!
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Evan

6th Grade Student
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Southern California Student

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I was sort of scared at the beginning when we came to Alpine, but when my friends and Charmander cheered me on it really helped. Ziplining was really fun! Everything was fun! Learning about the plants was interesting. I think Alpine is so cool! Thank you Alpine for treating my class well.
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Jenny

5th Grade
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Student from Japan

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Contact Us

1-909-337-6287
We also host a number of other programs! Visit our site below.
Alpine Camp
  • The Program
    • Public and Private Schools
    • Christian Schools
    • Rates
    • Videos
  • For Teachers
    • Course Description
    • Teacher Testimonies
    • Teacher/Chaperone Feedback
  • For Parents
    • F.A.Q's
    • Daily Photos
  • About Us
    • Our Campgrounds
    • Our History
    • Contact Us!