Our Story
St. Dorothy's Rest was founded by Nellie Lincoln and her husband, The Rev. James Otis Lincoln, in the wake of the tragic loss of their 8-year old daughter to meningitis. The Lincolns felt convicted to create a space in which young people experiencing critical illness could go to experience the sacredness and healing of heart that nature provides. Their generosity of heart soon begot the generosity of others, and in 1901 St. Dorothy's Rest was officially established following a gracious gift of land from Mr. Melvin Meeker (for whom the town of Camp Meeker is named).
Today, the legacy of Nellie and James lives on as St. Dorothy's welcomes retreat goers throughout the year to experience sabbath healing among the redwoods and more than 400 children each summer through a variety of camp programming. The oldest camp in California, St. Dorothy’s has been serving children and adults from all faiths and walks of life for over 100 years. St. Dorothy’s Rest is proud to be part of the Episcopal Diocese of California.
All are welcome at St. Dorothy's Rest.
A sacred space, nurtured for generations
About Us
Nestled among old-growth redwoods and perched high on a hilltop above the Pacific Ocean, St. Dorothy’s is a unique and breathtaking home to camps for children from all over the Bay Area and northern California, as well as retreat goers from all walks of life.
At the heart of St. Dorothy’s mission are camps for youth, ages 4-18. Beautifully located in the heart of a redwood forest and just miles from the Pacific Ocean and the Russian River, St. Dorothy’s offers a unique summer camp experience that celebrates the natural world. Hiking, canoeing, and swimming are as much a part of the camp experience as s’mores, campfire songs and archery.
Two weeks of the summer are devoted to “Camp St. Dorothy's"
hospital camp where kids with cancer or organ transplants come enjoy a week of normalcy. They take part in all the traditional camp activities and bond with kids whose experiences are the same as their own. Hospital Camps are offered at no cost to families.
When camp is not in session, St. Dorothy’s is a comfortable and scenic retreat center for groups large and small. Here visitors cannot help but experience the quiet of the forest, the majesty of a redwood tree, the pleasure of a long hike in the woods, the glory of a majestic view…and ultimately, the sacredness of God’s creation.
