All staff are interviewed either in person or by phone and are required to submit reference forms that are reviewed by our staff. Each staff person also has a criminal background check done in compliance with state and federal regulations. Staff is selected based on their commitment to Christ, life experience, and job-related qualifications. Not only will your child be cared for by their own counselor, but our 3-to-1 camper-to-staff ratio allows campers the opportunity to get to know many other members of our amazing staff as well!

Don’t miss out on camp because of financial need. We have an established scholarship fund that helps many families each year. Visit the scholarships page here to apply.

Yes, a $100 deposit per camper must be paid to complete your online registration.

The $100 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.

All campers register online on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we do keep a waiting list in case of cancellations. We will call/email if a spot opens to confirm you would still like the spot. The deposit is due at this time.

Yes, your balance may be paid through our online registration system. Your camper’s balance must be paid in full four weeks before your scheduled camp week. If you are not able to meet this requirement for any reason, please call the camp registrar immediately. Otherwise, your registration will be subject to cancellation.

A confirmation will be emailed to you upon receipt of your completed online registration reflecting any payments and balance due. You will then receive an email at 4 weeks, 2 weeks, and 1 week out from your registered week with additional information, such as parking lists, arrival times, etc.

Camp opens at 3:00 pm on Sunday afternoon with check-in (no early arrivals please). For a detailed check-in process please click here.

Any maps app or GPS should be able to get you to Mission Springs, and cell signal is good for most of the way. There is a dead zone right as you get to the main office/sports court area on Mission Springs property. Frontier Ranch is at the top of the hill, so follow the directions below to navigate Mission Springs property.

1050 Lockhart Gulch
Scotts Valley, CA 95006

Turn by turn from San Jose
Take Hwy 17 South to the Mount Hermon Road exit. Turn right onto Mount Hermon Road and continue through Scotts Valley. Stay in the right lane after the Target shopping center. It will become a right-hand turn lane after the next light onto Lockhart Gulch Road. Turn right at the light at Lockhart Gulch Road. At the fork, stay left on Lockhart Gulch Road until you come to the first bridge for Mission Springs.

Turn by turn from Santa Cruz or Monterey
Take Hwy 1 North to Hwy 17 North. Exit at Mount Hermon Road. Follow the exit and then continue through Scotts Valley.  Turn right at Lockhart Gulch Road (light). At the fork, stay left on Lockhart Gulch Road until you come to the first bridge for Mission Springs.

Once entering Mission Springs via the first bridge entrance:
You will pass the sports court and playground on the left. Continue straight up Cathedral Drive. It’s a curvy road up to camp, and you will go past Mission Springs residences on your way up the hill. Take a slight right onto Frontier Drive. Continue going up the hill until you reach Frontier Ranch! During Sunday check-in, camp staff should be placed along the route to help direct you along the way.

If someone other than a parent or legal guardian is dropping off a camper, the following must be brought with that adult:

1. A filled-out and signed ‘Camper Health Screen Form’ – found on the Forms Page
2. Any medications clearly labeled and in original containers
3. Spending money is now digital. Please add money to your camper’s account here.

All of the above MUST be turned in at check-in. Do not pack in the camper’s suitcase.

Frontier Ranch pick-up is at 9:00 am on Saturday.

If you must pick up your camper early, these arrangements can be made at check-in or by calling the office at 831-335-9133 x40. Please give us at least 24 hrs notice to any change in scheduled pick-ups.

A list of authorized pick-up persons will be filled out during the registration process.

For the safety and well-being of our campers, we ask you to fill out an authorized pick-up list during online registration.

Please have your ID with you at pick-up. If the person arriving to pick up your camper is not on the list, expect a phone call from camp staff.

A full packing list is available here.

The use of cell phones is not permitted at camp. Campers should leave their phones at home or with their parents/guardians. If a cell phone is found in a camper’s possession during the week, they will be kindly asked to store it in their luggage. If the cell phone continues to be a distraction, it will be stored in a secure location until the camper is ready to leave camp and return home.

• High School Camp: In the past, we have permitted cell phones during high school week. However, this year, we are asking all campers to leave their cell phones at home.
• Medical Exceptions: We understand that some campers may have medical devices that require the use of a cell phone. If your camper needs to bring a cell phone for this reason, please contact the camp registrar prior to arrival. We will work with you to ensure that your camper’s needs are met while maintaining the integrity of our policy.

The decision to implement a Cell Phone Free Policy at Frontier Ranch is based on several key reasons:

• Enhanced Engagement: Without the distraction of cell phones, campers can fully engage in camp activities, build stronger connections with their peers, and immerse themselves in the camp experience.
• Safety and Security: Reducing the presence of cell phones helps maintain a safer environment by minimizing the risk of lost or stolen devices and reducing the potential for inappropriate use. Frontier Ranch Mission Springs is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices.
• Mental Health Benefits: Taking a break from screens and social media can have positive effects on mental health, allowing campers to relax, enjoy nature, and be present in the moment.
• Community Building: Encouraging face-to-face interactions fosters a sense of community and helps campers develop social skills and lasting friendships.

Yes. Please email us at [email protected] and describe what you left behind in as much detail as possible. The Frontier Ranch staff will try to locate your item(s) and let you know if they are found. Lost-n-found items not claimed two weeks after your scheduled camp will be donated to local charities. Please remember that Frontier Ranch is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Camp offers high-quality, healthy, kid-friendly food. For any special dietary needs, including allergies, please read our Special Dietary Info in the Parent Info section.

We are limited to the variety of special diets that we can accommodate. Please communicate your camper’s dietary needs, and we will provide a meal option or fridge space to supplement meals with items brought from home.

Email [email protected] with questions.

All medicines and vitamins must be registered with the camp nurse at check-in. The nurse is responsible for administering all medicines at the appropriate time.

Prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins must be contained in their original packages with dosing information.

Frontier Ranch suggests that each camper has $35-$60 for snacks, crafts, and merch at Frontier Bob’s.

Frontier Ranch is now using a digital wallet system that is connected to your registration. No cash will be accepted at Frontier Bob’s. Any cash will be applied to your camper’s wallet account, and you can manage this account even while your camper is at camp.

Campers may request anywhere from 1 to 8 cabin mates. Cabin assignments are made one week before camp begins. Some age restrictions do apply. It is the responsibility of all parents involved in arranging with all other parents involved to have matching request lists. Priority will always be given to those registrations received first. Requests made after the initial registration may not be honored. Even though we will make every effort to honor requests, Mission Springs makes no guarantees concerning cabin mate requests.

Buddy Cabins- Two cabins are paired together for all activities and team competitions. If we cannot honor direct cabin mate requests, we often place groups of friends together in buddy cabins.

Age – Due to the social and developmental differences of children, we do not mix fourth and sixth graders or seventh and ninth graders in the same cabin.

Siblings – We recommend that siblings stay in separate cabins, allowing their experience to be more individualized. Exceptions may be made for special circumstances. Please contact us if you have a special circumstance otherwise, we will automatically place siblings in separate cabins.

Breakfast
Morning Chapel Program
Bible Study
Recreation/Activity
Lunch
Afternoon Activities
Free-time
Dinner
Mail Call
Campfire Program

All age groups have the opportunity to try the on-site camp activities they are interested in. We practice “challenge by choice” all campers are encouraged to participate, but it is not mandatory.

No. Single-stall bathrooms and showers are centrally located in each cabin area.

Summers at Frontier Ranch are warm-to-hot (70°-95°, occasionally around 100°) during the day and cool in the mornings and evenings. We recommend packing layers, including a sweatshirt and a water bottle, to stay hydrated.

Our staff is trained to deal with homesickness effectively. We encourage homesick campers to fully engage in activities, thus minimizing the focus on homesickness.

Our counselors will spend extra time to integrate those homesick kids into the flow of camp, oftentimes with the help of other cabin mates. We often find that letting a child call home when they are homesick does not alleviate the problem but rather serves to accelerate the problem.

It is, therefore, our policy to call the parents of a homesick camper and inform them of the situation to determine the next course of action. From there, we strive for the best possible outcome for that camper.

Campers with symptoms of an infectious illness, such as influenza (flu) or COVID-19, who show signs of fever or vomiting will be quarantined at camp until arrangements are made to return home. They will then be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care. If they are symptom-free for 24 hours, they may return to camp.

If Frontier Ranch becomes aware that your camper has been exposed to an infection illness, we will do our best to communicate the proper information to parents/guardians.

If your camper is testing positive for COVID-19 or is showing signs of an infectious illness, please do not send them to camp.

Once a camper tests negative and is symptom-free for 24 hours, they may attend their scheduled camp week.

As always if you have any questions or concerns please contact our office.

We desire that camp is an environment of physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional safety for campers and staff.

To ensure this occurs, we sometimes need to take steps in disciplining campers. We have a consequence system that staff can use to correct inappropriate behavior. The system begins with a warning, the camper loses free time, and if the behavior continues, a parent/guardian will be notified.

If a camper’s behavior is inappropriate or severe they may be asked to leave camp.

Frontier Ranch is a closed camp for safety and security reasons. During the camp week, no visitors are permitted unless special arrangements have been made in advance with the Camp Director through the main office.

No.

Yes. All Campers enjoy receiving mail or email from family and friends. Here are ways to communicate with your camper:

1. Bring your letters to campers check-in day with you and drop them in the mail bins. Clearly mark your camper’s name and what day you want it delivered on the envelope.
2. Send an email, a maximum of two per day, to your camper. Click here.
3. Of course, there is always snail mail (mail it early) Please address your mail as follows:

Mission Springs Attn: Frontier Ranch
Camper Name & Week #
1050 Lockhart Gulch Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Due to the high volume of campers mail that is distributed, please limit your letter to no larger than an 8×12 envelope.

We ask that no products delivered by mail do not contain any type of nuts. If candy is delivered with nuts or peanuts we will throw it away for the safety of those campers with allergies.

Feel free to call us in an emergency or particular need. Campers may only use the phone in cases of emergency, illness, or by previous arrangement with the Camp Director. You may leave emergency messages at the main office at 831-335-9133 and follow the prompts for the Frontier Ranch emergency line.

General calls can be made to our camp registrar at 831-335-9133 x40.

Cancelations up until four weeks prior to your camper’s scheduled week will be issued a refund. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Refunds will not be issued for cancellations within four weeks of your camper’s scheduled week. In the event of a medical emergency or illness, please get in touch with the camp registrar.