Company Profile
Pilgrim PInes Camp & Conference Center
Company Overview
Pilgrim Pines Camp and Conference Center seeks to honor God and provide for all people a sacred space to follow their spiritual path to discover and discern God. This sacred land in which we meet calls us to act with concern for eco-justice for all creation. As a ministry of the United Church of Christ, Pilgrim Pines is welcoming of all persons without regard to age, race, sex, sexual orientation, socio-economic position, handicap or denominational affiliation.
Company History
In September 1943 the Southern California Conference of the Congregational Churches took steps to acquire ten acres of property in the San Bernardino Mountain community of Oak Glen, near Yucaipa. The property had previously been used by a small school for the deaf. The cost was $6,900.
Within the first year cabins were constructed, an old building on the property was enlarged to provide a lodge, a number of other odd buildings on the property were pressed into service, and an administration building was constructed above the parking lot.
In 1944, eight full-week camps were held at Pilgrim Pines.
The Conference purchased an additional 70 acres adjacent to the original property and within about 5 years more land was acquired, completing the camp area to its present size of 160 acres.
In 1952 architect Ralph Bowerman devised a master plan for the camp, a plan that has been largely followed. In 1953 new cabins were constructed and electric heaters were installed. The office building and caretaker’s house were constructed around 1956-1957.
In the first twenty years the Conference invested $75,000 in the land and 350,000 for the buildings. In 1986-87 a major fund raising program, "Pilgrim Pines NOW", was undertaken to update the facilities which were showing the ravages of 35 years of constant use by thousands of people of all ages. What had started out as primarily a summer camp had more usage during the rest of the year by local church groups, public school week-long camps, and many other religious and secular agencies.
In 1983, Johnny Cummings, an Oak Glen neighbor and longtime supporter of Pilgrim Pines, gave the 40 acres of Johnny’s Tree Farm to the camp. For many years, campers had been invited to sleep under the stars at Johnny's, and his generous gift makes that special activity possible for campers well into the future. Johnny's is also the site of the new high ropes course of Pilgrim Pines Camp.
Recent celebrations included the construction and dedication of a new fire circle and the "Field of Dreams", both of which were the result of the generous contributions of our Work Campers, the members of the Sun City United Church of Christ, the Treehuggers, and other Pilgrim Pines supporters. Dining Hall renovations, including the addition of two handicapped-accessible bathrooms and a beautiful deck overlooking the Field of Dreams. Full-pressure fire hydrants are newly installed throughout camp adding yet another measure of safety. In addition, our newly relocated and discretely shielded refuse area and propane tank sites demonstrate attention to the aesthetics of the natural beauty of Pilgrim Pines.
The Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ can be proud of the facilities of Pilgrim Pines, now conservatively valued at $10,000,000 and serving over 14,000 summer campers and guests each year.
Come and be a part of the future of
Pilgrim Pines Camp and Conference Center!