In 1956, while conducting a senior high camp at Lake Wenatchee, four pastors of the North Central Washington Presbytery stopped by a dude ranch up the White River Valley. Overwhelmed by the beauty and majesty of this setting, they exclaimed ?what a place to start our own camp!@ With the full support of the Presbytery, 133 acres was purchased for $18,000, and Tall Timber Ranch was born.

The first camp in 1967 numbered 135 campers, using six old dude ranch cabins, two army tents, a chicken house and storage shed. An original log homestead cabin was expanded to provide a dining/meeting hall. Over the next few years, many improvements were made, with churches adopting projects and building new cabins.

A piece of adjacent property across the Napeequa River was owned by the famous Clyde Pangborn (first aviator to fly nonstop across the Pacific Ocean), and his brother, Percy. In 1967, this property was sold to a developer, and extensive recreational facilities were planned for this site. A group of committed and visionary
men involved with the camp, quickly intervened to purchase the additional 132 acres From the developer, thus preserving the pristine wilderness setting we all love so much.

Since 1980, camp activities and programs have grown dramatically, from a few hundred annual campers during summer and fall, to several thousand guests on a year round basis. In 1983, a long range master plan was developed, and progress has been steady in reaching these goals. In 1989, a new log dining/meeting lodge was begun, with completion finally realized in the Fall of 1991. In 1995 the old lodge was remodeled into adult housing and renamed the Cedar House. In 1996 the Schulze Center was remodeled into adult housing. Many new cabins have also been completed.