A camp located on the Wisconsin side of Interstate Park across from Taylor's Falls became available and was briefly considered.  The location of the camp was close to the Twin Cities, was surrounded by beautiful scenery, interesting hiking trails and a supervised beach - there was a problem though.  The buildings and equipment were in terrible condition.  Interstate Park had been built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a work program initiated by President Roosevelt during World War II.  The CCC constructed the camp out of native logs but over time they had been left to deteriorate.  Later, the camp fell into complete disrepair and was officially closed.

At this time, the St. Croix Conference began to discuss the possibility of purchasing a camp rather than renting one.  The Conference felt that by purchasing a camp, the facilities could be made available to groups and organizations all summer long.  The St. Croix Conference turned down an opportunity to purchase Interstate Park for the price of "one dollar" because it was so run down.

In 1958, Camp Croix changed locations and operated a summer camp at Camp Tipi Wakan on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, one mile south of Spring Park, Minnesota.  The Christian "Disciples of Christ" Churches of Minnesota had owned and operated this camp for about twelve years.  The camp location was convenient being accessible from all points and had the added advantage of being on the Greyhound bus route.  Busses passed by the camp several times each day.

In 1960, Camp Croix was relocated again, this time to Norway Point.  The move was made because of a substantial increase in fees levied by Camp Tipi Wakan.  Norway Point became home for a number of years until a lack of campers, counselors and funds plagued the camps existence just as it had through the 1950's.  Soon after, the Minnesota State Park Association began to rent Norway Point to parties based on certain priorities.  Handicapped children, poverty stricken or low income families and other special interest groups were given first priority while the church camps received a lower priority.  Again, the St. Croix Conference began looking for another site.

In 1967, the property that was to became Camp Croix went up for sale with an asking price of $125,000.  In January of 1968, the owners lowered the asking price to $95,000 and the St. Croix Conference showed interest in buying it. The camp in question was initially a Gold Star Mothers Camp. The Gold Star Mothers were a group of mothers and wives of World War II veterans whose sons and husbands were either killed during the war or died shortly thereafter. The camp, which at this time consisted of only the lodge, was built for them as a place where they could go and relax. Money for the building of the camp was donated by various sources, but of special interest was the donation of the camp's first dock. Hopalong Cassidy donated the dock to the Gold Star Mothers for their use at the camp. As the members of the Gold Star Mothers grew older the camp was used less and less frequently until finally the camp became vacant.

At this time the area surrounding Camp Croix was occupied mainly by people from Chicago who came up for the summer to vacation in their summer cabins. A man who lived in the area talked three men into investing in this camp for profit. One of the first changes to the camp was the construction of the cabins which now stand at the present site with the idea to build tennis courts, riding stables and all the things many first rate camps had to offer. These men operated the camp for one season charging approximately $175.00 per child for a week of camp. After only one season the camp showed a loss.

The camp stood idle for two years while Camp Croix continued to operate at Norway Point. An ad about a summer camp for sale in Northwest Wisconsin ran in a newspaper and was brought to the attention of the other committee members. The asking price of the camp was $70,000. The owner wanted $10,000 as a down payment and agreed to finance the rest at 6.5% interest with an annual payment of $5,000 each subsequent year until the balance was paid in full.

Pastor Borchardt a Camp Croix committee member had a philosophy about the camp and his philosophy influenced the other members of the committee at this time. He said "Central in Camp Croix is the cross of Christ. Our name, Croix, should be a daily reminder of what God's Son did for us Christians".

Immediately the members of the congregations in the conference were excited about the prospect of owning such a camp and there was a tremendous push to get the program started. In May of 1968 a meeting was called at St. Croix Lutheran High School. That day, a number of men gave written commitments and wrote out checks to Camp Croix amounting to almost $10,000. The owner of the camp agreed to accept $10,000 as a down payment on the condition that the other $5,000 would be paid by the first of December. In May of 1968 they purchased the camp and Camp Croix had found a permanent home.

After the purchase of the camp, many improvements were made to the facilities. The athletic field as it stands today is twice the size it was in 1969. The plumbing, insulation and rewiring were done on the lodge, construction of the Athletic Building was done, and painting of several cabins had been done.

The camp operated for years by the hard work of the Camp Croix Board and the labor and supplies donated by the congregations and organizations of the St. Croix Conference. There is also a sense of pride and accomplishment that goes along with the development of the camp.

By 1986 the property was paid for in full. In 1994-1995, a new "Red Cross" building was constructed. This building is probably the most extensive building project Camp Croix has ever undertaken. Camp Croix has truly been a spiritual blessing for the children of the St. Croix Conference, and a wonderful facility for the recreation of its congregations.