About Shasta Camp
Affiliation
Shasta Camp is managed by an all volunteer committee with oversight responsibility for maintenance, long range planning, funding, guest satisfaction and ensuring we comply with United States Forest Service (USFS) guidelines. We operate under the auspices of the United Methodist Church on land we lease from the USFS. Shasta Camp is a 501c3 organization and is sustained through private donations, foundation grants and fees charged for camping and special events.
We welcome all groups, families and
individuals to experience this unique camp.
HISTORY
In the mid-1940’s, the Methodist (now United Methodist) churches of northern California received a permit from the United States Forest Service (USFS) to use and further develop a camp site on Scott Creek, about two miles from Castle Lake.
Youth groups slept under the stars, spread over a large area above the flat where the “kitchen” (a 20-foot trailer) resided. Wooden tables were arranged in rows for the sixty or so campers and staff people who attended.
In the fall of 1993, the CARE-A-VANers, retired United Methodist (UM) volunteers on wheels, made their first visit to Shasta Camp. The CARE-A-VANers have returned annually for various building projects and maintenance needs. Because of their dedication and commitment, many improvements have been made throughout the years.
In the summer of 2004 a new caretaker’s cabin was built, mainly through volunteer labor. And in the summer of 2004, ground was broken for the new 7,000 square foot Retreat Center— footings were poured and the retaining wall was constructed.
During the summer of 2005, volunteers and professionals were hard at work framing, wrapping and roofing the building. It looked great and everyone looked forward to the following summer when we would continue construction. Unfortunately, in April, 2006 due to heavy, wet snow and tremendous lateral pressure, the building collapsed! Not to be deterred the UM Shasta Camp Committee has spent considerable time working with our insurance company and finding local engineering and construction companies enthusiastic about this new project.
We are in the process of planning the water and power systems and raising the money required to begin construction on the new Retreat Center. We are anxious to begin construction as soon as the snow clears in 2009. The new building will be even “greener” than the old design; will still be handicap friendly and will be unique in the Shasta area.
Future Plans
The new retreat center will be a handicap friendly facility and is designed to be in harmony with the natural beauty of our surroundings. The retreat center will allow us to better serve the increasing numbers and sizes of groups who wish to use our camp. It will include a fully equipped kitchen; handicap sleeping and bathroom facilities; a dining/meeting room that will accommodate 70 diners and approximately 100 meeting or seminar participants and sleep approximately forty. The retreat center will include deck areas for even greater enjoyment of the surrounding forest and meadows.
The vision is that the retreat center will be available winter and summer, and be open to all organizations, families and individuals who are willing to support the purpose of Shasta Camp.
If you would like more information about the retreat center or would like to make an investment in the vision for Shasta Camp by making a contribution to the Retreat Center Capital Campaign, please contact Pauline Bowen, at (530) 365-7386 or at pjbowen7@juno.com.
