Part of the mission of Pilgrim Pines Camp and Conference Center is “to extend an extravagant welcome to all who enter our sacred ground.” The Oak Glen fire, which started on Sunday, August 30, threatened the sacred ground in the canyon in which Pilgrim Pines is located.
As the fire rapidly spread, the entire unincorporated community of Oak Glen was evacuated. The fire, which started about three miles below the camp on Oak Glen Road, was never a direct threat to Pilgrim Pines as it stayed on the other side of Oak Glen Road and consistently moved down and away from the camp property. At the height of the effort there were over 1200 fire personnel and over 80 engines and other pieces of equipment stationed in Oak Glen Canyon.
Two of the Pilgrim Pines Camp staff, Tim Alanis, facilities manager, and Stephen Boutwell, kitchen supervisor, did not evacuate. Instead these two extended extravagant welcome to the fire and safety crews defending and protecting this sacred ground. They staffed the kitchen, preparing lunch and dinner for the ground crews and driving the food and plenty of ice water to the various ground crew staging sites up and down the canyon. They prepared enough food to feed approximately 100 people each meal from Monday lunch through Wednesday lunch. The evacuation order was lifted late Tuesday night. All the staff are back at work and welcoming our guests. We appreciate all the expressions of concern and prayers during the incident. Please include in your prayers gratitude for the dedicated men and women who serve us so well and keep us from harm.
We welcome you to come and see us on the mountain. Any donations to help cover the cost of food are welcomed. Please go to our website to get information about upcoming events including Family Camp, Reunion Camp, and Apple Pie Day.
