Mount Cross
The Mission of Mount Cross is to provide opportunities for people to grow personally and spiritually through Jesus Christ in an outdoor setting that encourages hospitality and community.
Upcoming events
Programs
Activities
Lodging
More information
Directions
Wish List
Here are events scheduled at Mt. Cross that Bethel members might be particularly interested in.
There are no events scheduled at this time.
Retreat Center
Hold your retreat in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. Accommodations range from lodges to dormitories to campgrounds. Many activities held at Mt. Cross are available through Bethel Lutheran Church. However, some Mt. Cross activities are managed directly by the camp in Felton. You must register for those events directly with Mt. Cross staff.
Confirmation Camps
- Charis Camp — Week long traditional confirmation camping
- Shalom Camp — Week long relationship oriented confirmation camping
Mainsite Camping *
- Explorers — Grades 2nd & 3rd; full week or two-night program is specially designed for younger campers.
- Pathfinders — Grades 4th–6th; week long traditional camping.
- Tree Toppers — Grades 4th–6th; week long slightly more rustic camping. Campers cook their meals out of doors and sleep in tree forts.
- Trailblazers — Grades 7th–9th; week long traditional camping. Campers experience high ropes course, a digital photography adventure, and a beach day!
More Opportunities *
- Beach Camp — Grades 10th–12th; Beach camping, surfing, Mt Cross high ropes course, and more!
- Junior Beach Camp — Grades 7th–9th; Beach camping, surfing, Mt Cross challenge course, and more!
- Junior Staff — Grades 10th–12th; Week long program to train to become a camp staffer.
New Offerings *
- "No Worries Weekend — For All Ages; Spend an extra night at Mt Cross and stay for two weeks instead of one. Meals and supervision provided!
- "Apprentice Program — Grades 11th–12th; For those who have already been to Jr Staff, build on those skills by working alongside a counselor to take care of a cabin group.
Youth Group Opportunities *
- Extreme — Grades 7th–9th; Extreme action week is planned by your youth group. Activities include service project, Bible Encounters, challenge course, surfing, ocean kayaking and beaching it!
- Special Friends Servants — Grades 9th and up. This youth group program matches youths with challenged campers under the supervision of Mt. Cross staff and youth director. Discounted rate.
- Adventures on the Coast — Grades 9th and up. High school youth groups customize a week choosing from activities such as backpacking, challenge course, surfing, kayaking, service projects, and many more.
- Junior High Youth Gathering — Junior High youth gathering for LCMS congregations.
* All grades listed are children entering those grades
Family Camp
- Bring the whole family and enjoy five nights at Mt Cross.
Day Camp
- A trained staff of Mt. Cross counselors will come to your
church site for an exciting week of church camp, for kids aged 6–12.
Disabled
- Special Friends — For persons 18 years and older. Program designed to meet the special needs of those with developmental disabilities.
Annual Programs
- Mini Camp — Mini camp is an opportunity for youth in grades 3rd through 6th to have a camping experience at Mt. Cross. The focus is on Jesus Christ and learning what a Mt. Cross experience is all about.
- Lutherhostel, a retreat program for those 50 and older, is held in the fall at Mt. Cross camp. The week includes special speakers, arts and crafts, great food, a choice of accommodations, inspiring worship services and tours to nearby sites.
- Annual Appreciation Dinner. Become a member of the Big Tree Club or a regular volunteer for Mt Cross and receive an invitation to the annual meeting and dinner. Usually held in February, come join the meeting or just enjoy the dinner with some inspiring words from Mt Cross staff.
Sports Activities are offered via the volleyball court, a basketball hoop, a swimming pool, a baseball field, horseshoes, and miles of hiking in the majestic redwoods.
The Ropes Challenge Course — Mt. Cross offers a high and low ropes course, which builds self esteem and community between people and challenges oneself.
The Climbing Wall — Test your faith and have a blast on the new 25 foot climbing wall.
Oak Lodge has eight semi-private rooms, restrooms with showers, a deck area and a meeting room (20–25 persons). Rooms vary in size to accommodate 1-4 adults.
Jensen Lodge has eight semi-private rooms, restrooms with showers, a central meeting area (20–25 persons), and a small kitchen area. Rooms vary in size to accommodate 1–4 adults.
Redwood and Evergreen Dormitories each have 4 rooms with a large interconnecting restroom with showers. Each room has either 6 or 7 bunk beds to accommodate up to 52 people of the same gender, in the entire dorm.
The Madrones are a circle of seven single room heated cabins with men and women restroom/shower building in the center. Each cabin has 5 bunk beds and will accommodate 10 people.
The Campground has 10 sites, with picnic tables, allowing 4–6 people per site. There are some electrical hookups, limited water hookups, no septic hookups. Shower/restrooms are available at the pool house.
Contact Mt. Cross at (831) 336-5179. Their address is 7795 Highway 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005. Visit their web page at www.mtcross.org![[Offsite Link]](/graphics/offsiteLink.gif "Offsite Link")
Map of 7795 Highway 9 Ben Lomond, CA 95005-9757, US
Bethel Lutheran Church Ranger: Holly Lofgren
Take highway 17 south to Scotts Valley. Exit at Glenn Canyon/Mt. Herman Rd and turn right. Travel 2 miles through Scotts Valley. Continue 3 more miles on Mt. Herman Rd until it ends. Turn right at the stop sign. Go 1/4 mile. Turn right onto route 9. Go 1.4 miles. Mt. Cross is on the left.
See the Mt. Cross website.
