Hartstone Bible Camp History | Northern California Christian Camp

HISTORY OF HARTSTONE BIBLE CAMP

Serving Church Families for Over 50 Years in the Northern California Mountains

The group of Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA) that came together to establish Hartstone Bible Camp in 1967 had a shared vision: To develop a place where they could fellowship while proclaiming the truth of the sufficient, inerrant Word of God. Hartstone Bible Camp is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a Board of Directors, dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Board of Directors operate the camp under a written Constitution and By-Laws.

The 95-acre camp is named after Harry H. Hartstone and Josephine Hartstone, the original owners of the land, who operated Hartstone’s Log Cabin Inn on the Eel River above Potter Valley, California for many years. Following Harry Hartstone’s death in 1932, the property changed hands several times before finding a home with the founding churches who turned it into a retreat camp for families and ministries throughout Northern California and beyond.

Over the years, the Hartstone site has been developed to include a total of 15 buildings in the camp’s main area. The original purchase included Alder Springs, a natural underground water source that has been developed by Hartstone to provide water for the camp as well as its neighbors. In 1997, Hartstone Bible Camp purchased 14 adjacent acres of property, which included private beachfront access along the Eel River, a two-story log cabin lodge, and seven additional one-room log cabins.

Hartstone's Log Cabin Inn Hartstone Bible Camp was once Hartstone's Log Cabin Inn on the Eel River.	Harry H. Hartstone Harry H. Hartstone, the original owner of the bar and inn on the Eel River.	Vintage Hartstone The property where Hartstone Bible Camp is now located has been enjoyed by families and loggers for decades.
Eel River, Potter Valley Another generation of swimmers enjoying the Hartstone riverfront beach on the Eel River.	Harry Hartstone & Wanda Warden Harry H. Hartstone with Potter Valley resident Wanda Warden in 1926.	Inside River Lodge when it was a bar When it was a bar sometime prior to 1960.
Outside River Lodge When it was a bar sometime prior to 1960.	Hartstone Bible Camp The Hartstone's property in Potter Valley was purchased by a group of IFCA churches in 1967.	Early Founders of Hartstone Don Todd, Bob Graves, Mert Haskell from Left to Right
Northern California Log Cabins The founding churches of Hartstone Bible Camp wanted a place to fellowship and worship God in His beautiful creation.	Hartstone Lodge The 14-acre property that contains the lower lodge at Hartstone was acquired by the camp in 1997.	Hartstone Chapel Hartstone hosted churches throughout Northern California for conferences and camps.
Hartstone Ampitheater The Victory Circle Ampitheater at Hartstone has beautiful views of the Potter Valley mountains.	Hartstone Kitchen Serving meals in the Hartstone kitchen.	Volleyball at Hartstone Campers have been enjoying our volleyball court for a long time!
Hartstone Dining Hall With everything there is to do at Hartstone and a long tradition of good country cooking, it's no wonder the Dining Hall has never had a shortage of hungry, happy guests.	Stan & Valeri Walker In 2004, Stan and Valeri Walker generously committed to 10 years as Volunteer Directors, revitalizing and renovating the camp for a new generation.	Dick Family Along with his wife Julie and their four kids, Dave Dick brings passion and vision to his role as Hartstone's current Camp Director.
Bay Cabin	Bear Skin on Oak Cabin	Ed & Charline Breazeale 1979 long time s
Chris leading singing 1984	Volleyball Court 1984	Dining Hall Mid 80's
MBC Leadership planning retreat 1983	Sharon Freeman to her right Dr Reed from Vacaville Bible Church	Gordie & Janice Archer 1979 long time su
Father and Daughter Bikes at Camp	Father and Daughter Memories	Hartstone Log
Hartstone Old Logo	HBC Snow	Mater
Old 7up Signs	Old Boys Lodge	Old Hartstone Log
Old Smoke House Behind River Lodge	Orginal Hartstone Log Cabin Inn in place of where current flag pole is now	Past Lead Cooks Kristen and Alison
Past Staff	The Pauli's	Tree Helpers
Jamie & Jenn Saunders Maint. 2016-17	Jens Tulip & Family 2008-2020 General Maintenance Manager	Zech Browning & Family 2020-2023 Projects & Repairs Manager
HBC Dining Hall 2006-2016	2007 CCCA Article on Hartstone Click here to read the full article!	1985 GERDY Camp Golf Cart Retired 2018
1985 GOOSE Camp Truck Retried 2019	1987 MATER Camp Truck Retired 2019	HBC 2006 Summer Staff with Director Stan
Eric Peterman with his daughters Hannah	Old HBC Log at Vball Court	Staff Hannah & Heidi Peterman when kids
Welcome to Hartstone Bible Camp! Check out Hartstone Bible Camp in Potter Valley, where church groups have been enjoying God's creation for 50 years.	Snow at Hartstone Book a fall or winter camp with our Northern California Christian retreat center!	Stan Walker at Hartstone Stan Walker served faithfully as Hartstone's Camp Director from 2004 - 2014. He was instrumental in renovating and revitalizing the camp for a new generation of visitors.
Outdoor Patio Right Side	Meeting Deck that used to exist on eastside of the Dining Hall	Meadow in front of Dining Hall early 90's
Hartstone Sign at Campground Entrance from early 90's	Kitchen early 90's	Lonestar Lodge and Pine Cabin early 90's
Dave Byers carving the _Jesus Log_ in the early 90's

RENOVATION & REVITALIZATION

The camp was very active from the late 1960s through the early 1990s. As the participant church congregations began to age, the demographics changed and the camp became less vibrant. In 2004, participants made a commitment to repair and revitalize the camp in order to better serve a new generation of believers. The first step in this process was to clean up and repair the facility. A new board of directors was established with a fresh focus and vision. In October of 2004, Stan and Valeri Walker joined the team with a commitment to serve the camp as volunteer directors. Under their guidance, Hartstone Bible Camp experienced a slow and steady growth in attendance, focusing on hosting family camps and providing churches and church groups with an experience away from the distractions of the day-to-day routine as a premier Northern California Christian campground and conference retreat center.

HARTSTONE TODAY & TOMORROW

In 2014, Dave Dick became the new camp director. Along with his wife Julie and their four children, Dave seeks to serve the camp by remaining true to its mission: To share Christ’s love by serving churches through a camp experience. Christian churches bring their own speakers, provide their own worship, and coordinate their schedule with the staff. Hartstone Bible Camp provides the facility and home-cooked meals. Our goal as a staff is simply to “wash the feet” of the churches who stay with us at Hartstone, facilitating their unique programs and time spent with one another as a body in this beautiful place. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive our yearly newsletter, which provides updates on our latest projects and developments as we continue to steward this camp into the future.

Be Part of Hartstone's Future

Plaques at Hartstone

Bob and Laura Barbiere	Bob and Laura Barbiere	Bob and Laura Barbiere
Clara Edith Vose	Stan and Valeri Walker	Chapel Pulpit Plaque
Fireside Podium Plaque

Past Hartstone T-Shirts

HBC 2024	HBC 2023
2022 Hartstone Shirts Diamond Sketch Men's & Women's	2021 Hartstone Shirt
HBC 2020	HBC 2019
HBC 2018	HBC 2017
HBC 2016	HBC 2015
HBC 2014	HBC 2013
HBC 2012	HBC 2011
HBC 2010	HBC 2009
HBC 2008	HBC 2007
HBC 2006	HBC 1989
HBC Year Unknown	HBC Year Unknown

Past Hartstone Merchandise

Pullover Sweatshirt	Zip-up Sweatshirt Front
2021 Hartstone Zipper Sweatshirt	Zip-up Sweatshirt Back
2021 Hartstone Hoodie Sweatshirt	Tumblers
Kids 12oz Tumbler	Sunset Sky 32oz Water Bottle
Mountain Stars 32oz Water Bottle	Kids 14oz Water Bottle
Insulated Coffee Tumbler	Insulated Coffee Mug
2021 Hartstone Red Mug	Sidekick Hat
2021 Jute Trucker Hat	2021 Pulse Sportmesh R-Flex Cap
2021 Trucker Hat Brown & Khaki	2021 Trucker Hat Grey & Black
Trucker Hat Olive & Black	New HBC Black Camo Trucker Hat
New HBC Hat Centerpuff	Woven Beanie
Camo Beanies	Ingrained Beanie
Old Tan Beanie	New HBC Drawstring Back Packs
Old HBC Water Bottle	New HBC Coffee Mug
Old Water Bottle	Old Green Beanie
Old Light Grey Beanie	Old Mugs
Old Black w_ Grey Mesh Trucker Hat	Old Black Hat
Old Dark Grey Beanie	Old Camo Curve w_ Mesh Trucker Hat
Old Camo Flat bill w_ Mesh Trucker Hat	New Hartstone Hydro Flasks
Old HBC Sweatshirts 2012	Old HBC Water Bottle
Fanny Pack	Hydro Flask Bottles
2023-2024 Coffee Mug	Back Flip Top Bottle 16oz
Black-n-Teal Water Bottle 32oz	Charcoal Mesh
Early 2000s HBC Mug	Kids Camping