Welcome to Camp Ponderosa Ranch

Camp Ponderosa Ranch celebrated its inaugural season in June, 1999. The camp is located on 153 acres just 1½ miles west of Heber, Arizona. The camp is set in a beautiful setting located on the Mogollon Rim of northeast Arizona. Camp Ponderosa Ranch is only two and a half hours from the Phoenix Metropolitan area.

Camp Ponderosa Ranch is a year-round camp. Our summer programs serve kids ages 6 through young adults! The camp holds several Salvation Army retreats throughout the year including retreats for men, women and young adults. The camp is also available to outside groups for use. For more information on renting CPR check out the facilities section of this site.

Each year hundreds of campers experience this special place, where caring staff promote a safe haven of learning and interacting with others, nestled in God’s wonderful creation!


Camp Ponderosa Ranch is accredited camp, by both the American Camping Association (ACA) and the Christian Camping Conference Association (CCCA) and is managed by a wonderful staff who really have a heart for the Christian camping ministry.

Captains' Christopher and Christa Mitchell are the Divisional Youth & Candidate’s Secretaries and are the Executive Directors of the Camp. Captain Christopher Mitchell has a Bachelors Degree in Theology and Captain Christa Mitchell has a Bachelors Degree in Christian Education. The Mitchells were appointed to their current appointment in September of 2008.

Neil LaBarge is the Director of Operations and has been for almost 30 years! He is a huge asset to the ministry of camp. CPR looks and runs great because of Neil’s passion and care for it. Neil oversees the operations and maintenance of the camp. Neil is assisted by two hard working gentlemen who also work at the camp year round; Jerry Walker - Maintenance Supervisor and Dave Lanoue - Maintenance Worker, who have both been on the job at the camp since October 2005. A host of reliable On-Call staff also support the camp and are called upon when needed.

Other year round camp staff include Dianne Hermosillo, the Food Services Manager. Diane creates all of the camp menus, is in charge or prepping and cooking all of the wonderful food served at camp and is responsible for the care and cleanliness of the Kitchen and Dining Hall. Diane is supported by a staff of seasonal help when The Salvation Army summer camping programs are in full swing or On-Call help when rental groups come to visit.

Jesse Hermosillo is the camp Administrative Assistant and does the majority of the administrative work that is required to support the camp. Diane and Jesse have both been with the camp since June 2007.







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The Salvation Army

Camp Ponderosa Ranch

3201 Forest Service Rd 504

Heber, AZ 85928

928-535-5082

928-535-5102 Fax

mission statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible.Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His Name without discrimination.