Mont Lawn Camp was founded with the mission of serving NYC’s underprivileged youth.  In 1894, Dr. Klopsch of the Christian Herald started a camp for kids in Nyack NY.  The goal of camp was to take poor kids to the country for a time of spiritual, physical and personal growth.  For 69 years MLC was held at this location.  Due to urbanization, the Christian Herald decided to purchase new property, and settled on an area in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. 

In 1963 MLC moved to its new rural location in the mountains.  MLC continued to be developed and expanded.  In 1985, MLC incorporated a retreat season to utilize the facility in the off season.  Paradise Lake Retreat Center was tasked with providing an excellent facility and programming to support Christian retreat groups from the Tri-State area. 
In recent years MLC and PLRC has undergone major changes.  In 2006, the Diebold chapel received a major facelift as well as a refurbished interior.  Recently MLC and PLRC combined names and are now called Mont Lawn Camp and Retreat Center.  With all these changes, MLC&RC continues to stay true to its mission.  With a 3:1 camper to staff ratio, our dedicated Christian staff continues to provide positive roll models and the experiences that stretch and grow NYC’s youth; spiritual, physically and emotionally.