Business Details
Christian Camp for Abused Children in Julian, CA
Julian Oaks is a Christian camp dedicated to ministering to children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Our mission is to provide love, hope, and healing through the transformative power of Jesus Christ. We serve children aged 9-18, offering summer camps, winter weekends, and year-round gatherings designed to build lasting relationships and emotional resilience. With a counselor-to-camper ratio of 1:2 in summer and 1:1 in winter, we ensure personalized care and support. Many campers return annually, with opportunities to serve as Junior Counselors after graduation.Our programs include hiking, music, drama, swimming, worship, and Bible studies, all centered on fostering spiritual growth and emotional healing. As a donor-supported ministry, your contributions enable children to attend year after year, creating milestones of recovery. Our volunteer counselorsmature Christians aged 19+commit to 5-day summer sessions or weekend winter programs, sharing the unconditional love of Christ. We emphasize transparency, perseverance, and faithfulness in leadership, creating a community where campers experience divine love and hope for their future.
Services
Summer Camp Programs
Winter Retreats
Junior Counselor Training
Bible Studies
Outdoor Activities
Highlights and features
- We specialize in faith-based emotional healing for abused children
- Maintain a 1:2 counselor-to-camper ratio in summer programs
- Offer year-round engagement with campers until high school graduation
- Provide structured volunteer counselor training and mentorship
- Focus on long-term relationships through annual return opportunities
Services
Summer Camp Programs
Our summer camps provide immersive faith-based experiences for abused children aged 9-18. With a 1:2 counselor-to-camper ratio, we offer hiking, swimming, worship, and Bible studies. Programs run weekly throughout summer, focusing on emotional healing and spiritual growth through Christ-centered mentorship.
Winter Retreats
Winter weekend retreats maintain a 1:1 counselor-to-camper ratio for personalized support. Activities include worship sessions, craft projects, and team-building games. These shorter programs allow continued engagement with campers between summer sessions while reinforcing year-round spiritual development.
Junior Counselor Training
Graduated campers can become Junior Counselors through our structured training program. Participants learn mentoring skills, spiritual leadership, and camp operations. This pathway creates continuity in our community while empowering former campers to give back to new generations.
Bible Studies
Daily Bible study sessions integrate scripture with emotional healing. Counselors lead discussions connecting biblical principles to campers' experiences. Materials are age-appropriate and emphasize God's unconditional love as a foundation for recovery from trauma.
Outdoor Activities
Hiking, swimming, and team sports promote physical wellness alongside emotional growth. All activities incorporate faith-based reflection. The natural setting of Julian, CA provides therapeutic environments for campers to process experiences while building trust with counselors.
People
Tina Massa
Co-Founding Director, Executive Director, CEO
Co-founder of Julian Oaks with over 15 years of camp leadership experience. Oversees program development and spiritual direction. Committed to creating safe spaces for abused children to experience God's love through structured mentorship and outdoor activities.
Nick Massa
Program Director, Facility Management
Manages camp operations and facility maintenance. Ensures safe, welcoming environments for campers. Coordinates logistics for summer and winter programs while mentoring counselors in practical ministry applications through hands-on service opportunities.
Danae Massa
Program Director, Mentorship
Focuses on camper-counselor relationships and spiritual mentorship. Develops training materials for volunteer staff. Coordinates year-round engagement programs that maintain connections between camp sessions through structured follow-up activities.
Cecilia Googe
Program Director, Outreach
Leads volunteer recruitment and community engagement efforts. Organizes counselor training sessions and manages promotional materials. Builds partnerships with foster care agencies to identify children most in need of the camp's healing programs.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children aged 9-18 who have experienced abuse or neglect. Campers can attend summer programs until they graduate high school.
How can I volunteer as a counselor?
Applicants must be mature Christians aged 19+, committed to Christ for 2+ years. Complete our application, background check, and training. Summer counselors commit to 5 days, winter counselors to weekends.
What activities are offered at camp?
We provide hiking, swimming, music/drama programs, crafts, worship sessions, and Bible studies. All activities incorporate faith-based reflection and emotional healing components.
How are campers selected?
Children are referred through foster care agencies and social services. Priority goes to those removed from homes due to abuse/neglect who would benefit from our faith-based healing environment.
Can former campers get involved as staff?
Yes! Graduated campers can become Junior Counselors through our training program, then advance to full counselor roles after completing requirements.
How is the camp funded?
We rely entirely on donations. Your gifts cover camper expenses, facility maintenance, and program development. Tax ID: 61-1601418.
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Reviews (5)
Rene Brown
May 03, 2021
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Beautiful place. Its great for kids. They go from 4th grade to 17 yrs old. Its really nice to have a ministry for the children up here in Julian. Just a few more yrs and my granddaughter will get to go.
Kyle Whelehon
Feb 01, 2021
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Our church rented this facility for a weekend and we absolutely loved it. We took a group of 20 youths for 3 days and 2 nights. Our group was excited to be in nature, but to also to have fully functioning cabins, bathrooms, and showers. The pool area is an awesome feature and we had a blast around the fire ring at night. Our time was well spent, and we hope yours will be as well. Close to shops in Julian and lots of views to take in on the drive up. Drive safe, the road is curvy, but the destination is well worth it.
VWprowler
Jan 16, 2021
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Have some respect for neighbors that live up here and turn down the music for your weekend events. None of us want to be involved and have our peaceful weekend interrupted with God music blaring. We can here it with our doors and windows closed inside our house. We live up here to enjoy the wildlife and the quietness away from the city, not to be interrupted with religious noise pollution on our weekends.
Joseph Gallo
Jan 12, 2020
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A terrific pastor and family run the camp. They are always willing to help others and share their love to make the camp a fun place for all.
Jessica Williams Jessa
Nov 17, 2019
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This camp is more than just a place to be outdoors; this is a place to be filled with love, support, connection and to find both God and family. The ministry of the Massa family has made Camp Julian Oaks an incredible place that makes every visitor (no matter the age) feel safe, welcomed, and loved. When you are present, you are guaranteed to experience the whole love of family and the healing love of the Lord. This is another home for our family; my kids especially love being here for bible study/youth group, camp... whenever they can be here, no matter the reason or season!!!
