Important information and resources about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) More Info

Luther Heights Facilities


Luther Heights Bible Camp Map

Facilities Map

Arrival

As you pull of the road and onto the Forest Service road leading into camp, you are welcomed by our Luther Heights camp sign. Following the road further you will come to our parking lot. We ask that you stop here and continue the rest of the way on foot. Most likely you will be greeted by a staff member upon arrival. They will ensure you know where to go for registration. Welcome to your adventure!

Building Names

All of our buildings on-site are named after peaks and mountain ranges in the Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountain Ranges. Buildings on the West side of camp, and before the White Cloud Lodge are named after peaks in the Sawtooth Mountain Range Buildings past the White Cloud Lodge on the East side of camp (excluding the Sawtooth Lodge/Dining Hall) are named after peaks in the White Cloud/Boulder Mountain Range. We do this to celebrate the beauty and creation we are immersed in.

Camp Bell

Located next to the Clivus Bathhouse is our camp bell. This is used to help the program run on time throughout the day. You will hear it as a wake up bell, a 15 minute warning for meals, and again at the start of the meal. It may be used to transition activities and parts of the program throughout the day a well. The bell also serves as our emergency alert system. If you hear the bell ringing continuously, it signifies there is an emergency and you are asked to make your way to the large meadow or wherever directed by the staff. While we never anticipate an emergency, this helps us to provide a safe experience for those on-site. Listen for the bell to be sure you are never late for a delicious meal!


Site Buildings

Office/Directors Cabin (El Capitan)

The first building you come to is our Office/Directors Cabin. On the deck, during registration, you will visit with the nurse on site for your camp week/weekend. The cabin serves two functions.

  1. Our office space: Both the Director and Program Director use this space during the summer for business. This is also the space during the camp season where registration will take place. When you arrive, counselors and staff will welcome you and help walk you through registration. If you arrive on-site and are not greeted, please check in here to be sure we can offer our hospitality in any way possible.
  2. Executive Director Living Space: The Camp Pastor/Director uses this building as lodging during the camp season. It is usually off limits to campers (excluding the office space) to provide personal space for the Executive Director and his/her family.

Sawtooth Bathhouse

Just behind the Office/Directors Cabin is the Sawtooth Bathhouse. This is where Luther Heights Bible Camp goes "Green"! There are three bathhouses on-site, two at either end of the camp and one centrally located. This bathhouse has three individual toilets and one large shower house. Each toilet functions without the use of water to flush away waste. Allowing us to conserve our natural, fresh, spring fed water. The toilets are cleaned out multiple times during the summer to help reduce odor and provide a comfortable experience for all.


Sawtooth Cabins (Grand Mogul, Heyburn, Thompson, Braxon)

As you continue down the road, you will see a number of different buildings on your left-hand side. These are used as living space for our programs. Grand Mogul, Thompson, Heyburn, and Braxon were among the first cabins built on-site in the early 1960’s. These large one room log buildings define the natural rustic personality of Luther Heights. They are equipped with electricity, woodstoves, bunked and single beds. If walls could talk these cabins could tell stories from the lives of the young and the old. These cabins comfortably sleep up to 14 people. They are located near the Clivus Bathhouse and Sawtooth Bathhouse.

On the backside of Braxon cabin is our Trails Room. This is where campers will gather community gear and backpacks for adventures off-site such as Backpacking, Trails, and Canoe camps.


Clivus Bathhouse

This is our centrally located bath house for use by those staying in the Sawtooth Cabins or anybody who is on this side of camp. It is also the main bathhouse for the White Cloud Lodge, located directly below. Each side has individual toilets and shower stalls. The function of this building is to turn waste into fertilizer after decomposing for a time. Staff ensures that odor is never a problem and also makes sure that the space is clean and comfortable for those who use it.


Program Directors Cabin (Snowyside)

Just below the Sawtooth cabins is Snowyside cabin, which has served many purposes over the years, family cabin, staff cabin, and now the Program Directors lodging during the camp season. It is usually off limits to campers (excluding the office space) to provide personal space for the Program Director and his/her family.


Health Center/Canteen/Laundry Room

Next to Snowyside is a building that serves three purposes. On the west side of the building is the camp Canteen/Store. This space is used in our programming to provide an opportunity for campers to purchase camp attire, soda, and candy twice during the day. During family camps and other retreats the Canteen/Store is open to purchase awesome camp gear!

The middle of the building and the largest section is our Health Center. Our nurse stays in this cabin to provide care. Campers will check in with the nurse at the beginning of their week/weekend. Medication and all other medical services are kept here to ensure the safety of all at camp. Counselors work with the nurse to be sure all camper medical needs are handled as directed by parents/doctor at the beginning of the week.

The East side of the building is our Laundry Room. This is provided for our staff and any with the need during their time at camp. This space is off limits to campers to ensure safety. There are two washers and one electrical dryer. On the South side of the building is our “green” air dry clothes line.


White Cloud Lodge

The White Cloud Lodge is one of Luther Heights' large indoor gathering spaces. You can often time find people in fellowship, enjoying a cup of coffee or sitting around the fireplace talking. Built in the Earlier 1950’s this historic building served a number or purposes including, up until recently, the dining hall and main gathering space. With the addition of the Sawtooth Lodge, this building has become a space for groups to enjoy many programming perks. The lodge is also a great place for groups to gather and enjoy various indoor activities. The space can comfortably accommodate 180 occupants. Upstairs is storage for our craft supplies and many other programming things. It also serves as a space for staff during the summer. The lodge has a sound system available for use.

Future: With the kitchen being moved out of the White Cloud Lodge, the dream is to provide a new, larger space for the Health Center. We will add bathroom’s a space for the Canteen/Store and storage for tables and chairs as well. This will open up many new opportunities for buildings at camp to provide more living space for a variety of families, and youth groups on-site.


Sawtooth Lodge/Dining Hall

With the Sawtooth Lodge Dedication in July of 2016, the kitchen was moved from the White Cloud Lodge and a new and exciting way of experiencing camp was welcomed at Luther Heights. Meals are served out of the Sawtooth Lodge in "Family Style," meaning we gather around the table as a family or community, serving food at the table rather than the busy cafeteria style we may all be used to today. We believe this offers an opportunity to grow with each other while being aware of our physical need for food, and our spiritual need for an intentional community of faith. We can comfortably feed 170 per meal. The Sawtooth Lodge also doubles as a large gathering space that can cater to 200+ at any one time. Bathrooms are located in the back of the building. A large deck wraps around the exterior of the lodge overlooking the large meadow; much of the camp can be viewed from here as well. The building is the most centrally located in the whole camp, providing easy access from all cabins.

Dining Hall

Luther Heights has a team of full-time cooks and a great clean-up crew. Fresh produce and meats are ordered weekly to provide groups with delicious home cooked meals and snacks. The Luther Heights kitchen has served over a 20,000 meals and continues maintain a high level of excellence year after year. If you have specific dietary needs, just let us know! We can easily accommodate those needs throughout your visit.


White Cloud Cabins-Traditional (Castle, Washington, Blackman, Patterson, Horton)

Past the Sawtooth Lodge you will come to the White Cloud Cabins. These are used as living space for our programs. Castle, Washington, Blackman, Patterson and Horton were among the first cabins built on-site in the early 1960’s. These large one room log buildings define the natural rustic personality of Luther Heights. They are equipped with electricity, electrical or woodstove heating, bunked and single beds, all cabins on the White Cloud side of camp have a bathroom and shower. If walls could talk these cabins could tell stories from the lives of the young and the old. These cabins comfortably sleep up to 14 people. They are located near the White Cloud Bathhouse.


White Cloud Cabins-New (Merriam/Watson, Lookout/Bibleback)

Built in 2008, these cabins are beautiful additions to our site. Divided into four individual spaces, these two x two story cabins provide an excellent place for meetings as well as lodging. The new cabins include bathrooms with a shower and toilet, and they also comfortably sleep up to 14 people. Upstairs in each building is a loft space. During the summer our staff will use this space when they are not in a cabin with campers. During the falls season, this is extra space for people to stay. There are no bathrooms upstairs but have a quick access to the White Cloud Bathhouse as well as the bathrooms in the Sawtooth Lodge.


White Cloud Bathhouse

Located in the center of all of the White Cloud Cabins is the White Cloud Bathhouse. This is where Luther Heights Bible Camp goes "Green"! There are three bathhouses on-site, two at either end of the camp and one centrally located. This bathhouse has three individual toilets and one large shower house. Each toilet functions without the use of water to flush away waste. Allowing us to conserve our natural, fresh, spring fed water. The toilets are cleaned out multiple times during the summer to help reduce odor and provide a comfortable experience for all. While all the cabins on this side of camp have a bathroom, this is extra space provided for all to use.


Outdoor Space/Gathering Areas

Outdoor Chapel

This space is a large outdoor gathering area for group’s onsite. During our programming, we use the Outdoor Chapel as a worship space in the mornings, or for Bible Study. It is centrally located providing quick access to the Sawtooth Lodge/Dining Hall, Clivus Bathhouse and White Cloud Lodge. There is space enough for 80-100 people to sit and enjoy an open space for outdoor gathering.


The Back Deck

During the summer you will find a lot of campers in this space doing crafts, singing fun songs, and enjoying the sunshine. The Back Deck is so much a part of programming in camps history that it would be a shame to not visit it and spend some time sitting in a chair overlooking the meadow. Many spend time sipping coffee and having conversation. The Back Deck is connected to the White Cloud Lodge.


Large Fire Pit

One of two outdoor fire rings, this one is located between the Outdoor Chapel, the Sawtooth Lodge, and White Cloud Lodge. With enough seating for 50-60 people and a large dug pit for comfortable fires. This spaced is used for evening worship while LHBC programs are running, as well as an outdoor gathering around a fire for S’more’s!


Small Fire Pit

Another outdoor fire pit gathering space. This is located along the path past the White Cloud Lodge and along the edge of the meadow. With enough space for 20-30 for an intimate gathering around a dug out fire pit.  This space is used for evening worships during our onsite programming. With a beautiful view of the meadow and mountains, this is the perfect space for an evening reflection.


Meadow Chapel

Driving into camp you are sure to notice the large meadow bordering our site. This spaced is used for much of our programming; large group activities, meadow games, worship, reflection, and more! Located just on the edge in front of a large boulder is our Meadow Chapel. This space is large enough for groups of 50-60 people. With views of the majestic Sawtooths in the backdrop, and a quick access to the White Cloud Lodge and Clivus Bathhouse, there is no better place for a morning reflection or worship!


Cabin Creek

Among our many favorite reflection spaces at camp is Cabin Creek that runs down the far end of camp and into the meadow and then on into Alturas Lake. This cold water creek comes from the tops of the peaks from mountain lakes field with snow run off from the long winters. All along the creek are spaces to sit and enjoy God’s creation around you. You may even see an adventurous fish that made its way from the lake!


Programming Spaces

Archery Range

One of the many perks of our onsite program is a chance to join the ranks of Robin Hood and try your hand at archery. Our archery range is located between the Sawtooth Lodge and the Sawtooth Bathhouse. The course is roped off and faces the mountain to ensure safety. Trained staff will help to be sure you enjoy this experience.


Volleyball Court

The Volleyball Court is located behind the New White Cloud Cabins, on your way to the back of camp. During Special Interest time at camp you will find many campers enjoying this outdoor space. The court is filled with sand and a net stretches across the middle. You know, volleyball.


Basketball Court

In the past, the Basketball court was dirt, rocks, and one basketball hoop. Now, the court has a cement floor and two hoops. You may notice that the color of the basketball court is the same color as the floor in the Sawtooth Lodge. This was done to test the color, before putting it in the new lodge permanently. The court is located right next to the volleyball court; you can also find it walking along the edge of the meadow, following the path through camp.


Challenge Course Low Ropes

In 2014 Luther Heights brought in a professional Challenge Course construction company to build our low ropes courses. We have two separate spaces set aside for this awesome team building experience. The first space is located just north of the New White Cloud Cabins. This space includes a Mohawk Walk, Wild Woosey, Nitro Pit, platform style crossing activities. Our staff is fully trained in the use and instruction of these elements, allowing for safe and fun adventures in the trees.


The “Quad” Challenge Course Low Ropes

Our second space for Low Ropes is located north and up the hill from the Outdoor Chapel and Braxon Cabin (Sawtooth Side of camp). This features four (quad) elements; Tension Traverse, Monkey Tails, Cable Walk, Bosun Swings. These elements are designed to give a more independent feel to group building. Each one can be completed without too much assistance from others, other than the safety precautions used. Each year all our low ropes elements go through a strict inspection to ensure they are safe for those who use them. Our staff is fully trained in the use and instruction of these elements, allowing for safe and fun adventures in the trees.


The Rock

The Rock has been a staple at camp since the beginning. To get to the rock, you follow the road through camp until you reach the creek, then follow along it until you reach a path heading east into the trees. The hike is about 20-30 mins depending on ability. The Rock is a formation sticking out above camp. This allows for stunning views of the meadow, Alturas Lake, Mountains, and camp. During the summer many cabins will enjoy the sunrise or sunset from this view.


Alturas Lake

While camp may not sit right on the lake, we use the lake for much of our programming. It offers great canoeing, hiking, and once a week we enjoy a beach lunch and afternoon swimming! During our summer programs we have Lifeguards to help care for those in water activities. You can also try your hand at fishing! The lake is an easy 10-15 min walk from our site.


Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA)

Luther Heights is located right in the SNRA. Giving quick access to a variety of summer adventure such as rafting, horseback riding, backpacking, fly-fishing, lake fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, nature walks, mountain biking, animal viewing, and much more. Luther Heights uses much of this space for our Backpacking, Canoe, Trails, and Senior High Adventure Camps. We also use this space during our onsite programs for day hikes, canoe, biking, fishing, etc.


Future Plans

The fastest growing Luther Heights programs are those for adults and families. This segment of the constituency seeks higher comfort housing and privacy for adults and children and handicap accessibility for those with mobility limitations. Family program participation is limited because each family typically wishes to have a private cabin. With this in mind we hope to build more facilities to provide this comfortable space. We also hope to build a maintenance building. Currently all of our tools and maintenance equipment is kept in a white pull behind trailer. Each year we must pack it up and haul it down the mountain to keep it out of the cold and prevent the snow from collapsing it. While that has worked thus far, we hope to build a separate building that will also house a two bed space for our maintenance workers or others who may need that space for lodging at camp.

For programming, we want to expand on the building of the Low Ropes Course. We hope to build a High Ropes Course, a Climbing Wall, Gaga Pit, and many other program additions. We want to offer a wide variety of activities for different ages and development levels. Adding these would assist in that as well as increase the amount of campers we serve each summer.

If you wish to donate or talk about providing funds for any of these, please contact us


Register online or by mail for any of Luther Heights' programs.