The Pool
Building a pool at Mission Springs was a dream of camp leadership for years.
On September 20, 1952, the following advertisement ran in the California:
MISSION SPRINGS WORK DAY
Saturday, September 20, 9 AM
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO REMOVE BUILDINGS AND CLEAR
GROUND FOR THE SWIMMING POOL
In 1954, the dream became a reality for Mission Springs campers who longed for a cool place of relaxation and recreation during the warm summer days in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The original pool layout included a near-Olympic-size L-shaped pool, a wading pool for babies and toddlers, locker rooms, and a snack bar. It quickly became a central gathering place for families and youth at the camp. For two years, the pool was not open on Sundays, but after much persuading, the rules were changed to allow for water recreation from 2:30-5 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.
Though the original footprint of the pool has never changed, several pool remodels have occurred since its construction. In 1989, the swimming pool area was remodeled. The fence between the original wading pool and the main pool was removed to combine the two areas and create more room for lounging. A new “Pacman-shaped” wading pool was built under the trees between the diving area and the snack bar. During a series of updates in the 2000s, the pool area was remodeled again to replace the frigid baby pool with a splash pad for youngsters, build a new structure to replace aging locker rooms and snack bar, and create a terraced deck for more seating and tables.
Whether you tucked your towel on a wooden backboard to lounge on the cement or ate Togo’s sandwiches with family at a table or smiled as young kids played blind tag or toothpicks in the deep end, the pool remains a place of healing and rejuvenation.
Prayer
A Prayer for Healing
Healing God, let this water be a symbol of Your restoration. Bring healing to bodies, minds, and hearts. May those who come here encounter Your grace and leave renewed by Your touch. Lord, hear our prayer.
Scripture
Jeremiah 33:6
“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”