The vision for Montlure started at a long ago Presbyterian summer conference held in Oracle Junction (just north of Tucson) in June, 1926. At this gathering, it was determined that a need existed for a permanent summer conference and camp ground to be established for youth in Arizona to which later evolved into Montlure Camp.

From 1931 until the outbreak of World War II in 1941, Montlure’s campgrounds were steadily improved with the construction of cabins and a tool house. In 1939, the central section of the current Administration building was built, making it the oldest structure currently on the Montlure Camp property. Due to its height, it was nicknamed the “Corn Crib.”

During the War, the camp was closed down and largely neglected for four years, marking the only time since 1931 that Montlure did not have a summer program. When people returned after the war, they found camp in disrepair, overrun with rates and littered with debris. There was even discussion of abandoning the property entirely. Thankfully, a group of dedicated people believed in the beauty and legacy of Montlure, so the clean-up effort began.

In 1946, the completion of Hwy 60 reduced the drove from Phoenix to Montlure to six hours. Until then, the route from Phoenix involved driving through Wickenburg, Yarnell Hill, Prescott, Flagstaff, Holbrook, and Springerville to get to Greer. The alternative was still the one-way road from Whiteriver throught the Apache Reservation.

In 1947, the current Barn was built and used as the boys’ dormitory. In 1948, a girls’ bathhouse was built which later became the boys’ bathroom. By 1951, Montlure had 5 cabins named Cabin A, Cabin B, Cabin C, Girls’ Cabin, and De Kino Cabin (De Kino named after the group that donated the cabin). Lark Cabin was built and to serve as the manager’s residence and the camp office. The current medical building was originally the Cook’s Cabin. By 1967, seven cabins were in place and renamed to: Thrush, Lark, Wren, Robin, Ostrich, Porcupine, and Beaver (renamed to Elk in 1981).

Montlure Presbyterian Properties, Inc. was established in 1949 to address liability issues and was composed of five members, all from Phoenix. Tucson membership was added in 1952.

With focused intention, the Montlure Council undertook a comprehensive review of its mission and programs. While a return to our home site in Greer always remained a hopeful part of our future, it was clear that Montlure’s ministry needed to evolve to better serve a changing church and family landscape. In a modern world filled with distractions pulling us away us from each other and from God, Montlure continued to work on ways to improve how, where, and when we can gathe, ensuring that we can be fully present with our faith. Summer overnight camps found new temporary homes at other camp sites, and a new “Traveling” day camp program was developed to bring the Montlure experience and mission into local churches, fostering community, faith, and camp spirit within church walls.

In response to the challenges and anxieties facing today’s youth, Montlure strengthened its programs to equip our youth with the spiritual tools needed for a resilient future. As for the plans in Greer, Montlure continues to assess how this special “place” can better meet the evolving needs of families, without the site itself being the primary goal. Montlure’s staff, council members, and supporters are deeply committed to the camp’s mission and have persevered despite numerous challenges. Each summer, Montlure continued to impact more lives, sparking a vision of how it will continue to serve families in the future.

The summer of 2019, we launched a new initiative exploring how Sabbath practices can shape our faith as Christians in the 21st century. We committed to focusing on five practices: Hospitality, Prayer, Retreat, Storytelling, and Service. Our curriculum, schedules, and all camp activities are intentionally designed to helps campers and staff practice our faith and live out these Sabbath practices.

In the fall of 2023, after extensive work by the Montlure Council and the U.S. Forest Service, we have reached a commitment by the USFS to reissue our special use permit in order to prepare for a return to Greer.

After years of wandering, our journey will soon reunite us with the place we’ve called home for nearly a century. Our homecoming is more than just a return; it’s a celebration of our enduring spirit and the beauty that has risen from the ashes, a testament to our shared journey of growth, renewal, and the unwavering dedication that binds our camp community together. As we return to the place where the heart of our camp lies, we bring with us the history, memories, and legacy of the past, a focus and commitment to our campers of the present, and the steadfast hope of a promising camp future for years to come. Through challenges and adversity, we have emerged with even greater determination and clarity of our mission. Join us in the homecoming celebration of our remarkable journey of resilience and renewal of Montlure Camp, where we are a testament to the promise that God gives beauty for ashes.

We have learned a lot during the years in the “desert” and undoubtedly we are in a spirit of always wanting to learn more. We have learned that while Montlure IS a place – it is also more than a place. It is a community. It is a mission. It is the life-giving breath of God who has gifted Montlure to be a co-creator of God’s mission. To offer love, acceptance, grace, and a reminder of our identity as beloved children of God.

We never abandoned the hope of the place of Montlure because we deeply value our roots, tradition, and the absolute beauty of land that has been entrusted to many generations of Montlure. Now for the summer of 2024, with an even greater focus and clarity of our mission, we have a wonderful program and sustained community that we will be able to bring back to Greer for the first time since 2011!

We are so thankful for the countless individuals who have given their time, talent, effort, and financial resources in order for us to continue in faith for 13 years of uncertainty. From the many Board/Council members, work camp volunteers, Directors, Summer Staff and Volunteers, campers, camper families, and the humbling amount of donors… we have continued to work together. Sustaining our program and finding a path to return to Greer has truly been a community effort among so many lives that Montlure has impacted.

For generations, the Montlure vision has been singularly focused on how to adapt the Greer facilities to better serve as a conference center and greater year-round uses. This vision often skipped the import step of thorough examination of the current needs of our local church communities and families. Due to the number of options families have to choose from, experts also have claimed that the “resort” model of camping facilities is “dead” and sites need to be designed with intention and address specific needs.

With the growing success and expansion of the Traveling Day Camp program, it is clear that there is a local demand for help in strengthening and building community within the church walls. Montlure as a ministry is able to be a connectional faith community and resource that can provide new pathways and invitation to faith formation. Using the tools, strategies, and curriculum developed over generations with the Overnight program, the Traveling Day Camp is able to provide a safe space for our youngest youths to be introduced to Christ’s Love. The program has been especially effective in communities that have the highest family needs where “camp” may be the only safe space available to them. 

With restoration and rebuilding efforts on deck for our camp facilities in Greer, opportunity exists to mold the effort around the future needs of our Overnight programs. Prioritizing safety first, accessibility becomes the next critical objective for adapting facilities to better serve as a multi-generational facility. The changing church and move to year-round school schedules requires Montlure to adapt facilities and programming to look beyond the traditional youth summer camp program and encompass more opportunities for family, group, and pastoral retreat opportunities. To be a sustainable program, the facilities must prioritize its mission and ministry and ensure greater opportunity for people of all ages to gather for their mountaintop retreat.

Montlure’s future is also much like its origins. In the 1930’s the “Montlure Club” would meet around the valley for various social functions, galas, and video screenings. Our plan for the future is to continue to provide multiple avenues for people to gather and connect across church congregations to be transformed, restored, and rooted in faith whether it be on mountaintops or in our local communities. 

Montlure continues to work with the U.S. Forest Service through our current restrictions on rebuilding. Our current special use permit allows us to restore/renovate what is currently on site. As we work through the NEPA process (which will be completed in 2026 at the earliest), we are looking at creative ways to build new projects once we have the green light to proceed. Until then, we will continue to restore all that remains and was protected from the Wallow Fire in order for our current camping programming to flourish.