Your Summer Staff 2010

A lot of you have been asking about our Summer Staff lately, so to make things easier here’s a list of those wonderful staffers who are making their way back to Crestridge this upcoming summer:

First off, let’s just start out with the amazing news that all 5 of our Village Directors are returning for another summer!

That’s right Sarah, Catherine, Lizzy, Kelly, and Caroline are all coming back for Round 2!

Here’s the faithful Central Staff who are coming back:

Sharon Aylestock, Marva Rawlings, Nancy Cothran, Janie Belue, Debbye Skaggs, Jackie Holley, Joe Holley, Kathleen Hobbs, Brooke Waddle, Laura Palmer, Beth Ewing, and Abby Postma

We definitely are excited about welcoming back some of your favorite Counselors and Jets:

Liz Hardee, Ragan Story, Chelsie Snow, Amelia Markham, Anna Martin, Megan Rentz, Cassie Curtis, Machelle Wells, Jenn Debrecht, Katelyn Browne, Caroline Vining, Alexis Coryell, Taylor Pierce, Ashley Sutherland, Mitzi Farris, Caroline Fortson, Keaghan Glassmyer, Dee Dee Dillard, Katie Correll, Anna Harrison, Laura Edwards, Becca Kelly, Mary Jo Sandy, Rachel Dokich, Katie Cannington, Lisa Saari, Kierstin Haddock, Emily Lupfer, Emma Small, and Keller Allgood.

Oh boy, I cannot tell you how excited weare to introduce our brand spanking  new staffers to you this year!  Coming to Crestridge as Staff for their very first time will be:

Jenny Watts, Christin Ball, Jacquelyn Breithaupt, Lauren Henry, Laura Leeson, Jessica Scott, Lindsey Steel, Patricia Bosch, Martha Claire Huff, Lindsay Williams, Libby Fleming, Mary Casteen, Sarah McKay, Catherine Dunham, Brittney Burns, Rachel Hall, Lexi Bowen, Megan Grennan, Kimberly Jones, Joan Steiger, Sarah Senter, Erin Brehmer, Emily O’Loane, Hillary Modlin and Kaitlyn Nordin!

Get excited about this amazing group of staff!!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Crestridge Staff, Returning Staff, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

You Can’t Always Have Your Own Way

YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME! Have you ever heard a younger sibling , camper, or little kid say these words to you? That just goes to show that it’s human nature to resist authority. We all want our own way!

How do you handle authority in your life? Do you always do what your parents ask you to do without complaining? Do you treat your teachers, counselors, and authority with respect? Are you careful to obey traffic laws? The Bible gives us specific instructions about relating to authorities in our lives.

Read Romans 13:1-7. Take a closer look at verse 1.

Who is required to submit to the governing authorities?

According to these verses, what is the relationship between God and those in authority?

What happens if we refuse to obey governing powers?

Do “governing authorities” include parents and school authorities? Explain.

What should we do if those in authority rule against Christian principles?

Paul wrote this letter to the Romans in a time of religious persecution and dishonest government. The message is as clear today as it was then: God directs us to submit to the ruling authorities even if they are not perfect examples of good leadership. By doing this, Christians can be good citizens and will not bring punishment on themselves.

These guidelines apply as much today as they did in the past. By listening to parents, respecting school officials, and obeying laws, we are submitting to the authority that God has allowed in our lives. Maybe people will see something different in our lives and wonder why we treat those in authority with such respect. This may introduce them to the most important authority in our lives, Jesus Christ.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotion, Romans, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Introducing the 2010 Clothing

For those of you who have not seen our 2010 clothing yet, we wanted to give you an opportunity to do so.  We’ve got a great line up that we think you all will love!  We know these pictures are pretty small, but you can click on them to make them bigger.  Here’s our 2010 Clothing:

Be sure to get your pre-orders in so you get the sizes you need!  You can do so by clicking on the link that was in the e-mail your parents received from Ron.  We can’t wait to see you this summer!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged 2010 Clothing Store, 2010 Crestridge Clothing Store, Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge Clothing, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

The Sun is Shining!

That’s right you guys, the snow has finally melted away here at camp and spring has arrived.  Walking around Crestridge is so nice because the sun is shining, the grass is green, and the creek is just a flowing.  We are so excited about Springtime because that means summer is coming soon!  Here are a few pictures of camp without snow:

We can hardly wait to for the summertime!  Oh, and check back soon to see pictures of Crestridge’s 2010 Clothing.

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Live By Example

HAVE YOU ever had to give up something you really wanted? It may have been a toy, money, sports gear or even coming to camp.

For a friend of mine it was boots. We were on a mission trip in a foreign country. Our team had taken extra boots and clothing to give away while we were there. My friend wasn’t planning on giving away his brand new boots, but on our last day in the village, he felt compelled to give them away.

Read Ephesians 5:1-5. Concentrate on verse 2.

What did Paul tell the Ephesians to do?

What does it mean to be an imitator of God?

How can we be a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God?

Verse 2 points out that Jesus is our example. How should this affect our daily lives?

Why should we keep sexual immorality out of our lives?

Why are the things listed in verses 4 and 5 bad?

What does this passage have to do with pursuing a life that reflects well on Christ?

Giving something up is never easy, yet in these verses, we’re called to give ourselves up as offerings to God. Paul wanted believers to understand what it really meant to follow Christ as their example, laying down every moment of their lives in obedience to the Father. To do that, some things simply cannot be a part of our lives. People can’t see God in our lives when our lives are filled with junk. When we live to please God, our lives will be more joyful because we won’t be bogged down by all the weight of sin.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotion, Ephesians, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Construction Update

The sun is shining and camp is finally free of the snow!  Don’t get us wrong the winter is a great part of our year, but spring will be arriving soon, and that means summer time is right around the corner.  The construction crews are getting busy trying install the rest of the showers and toilets, and things are coming along quickly.  All Chippewa cabins have their sinks, showers, and toilets installed, the majority of the Chickasaw cabins do as well.  Here’s a couple of shots of these brand new editions:

Be looking for your Crestridge Bear Tracks newsletter, coming in the mail next week.  And be sure to comment and enjoy the spring weather!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Crestridge construction, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Sometimes, It Is You

POTENTIAL IS definitely a word we like to throw around. When I hear it, I’m always reminded of a pepper plant I once planted in my garden. The plant was in one of those biodegradable pots, so you could plant the whole thing. I didn’t realize that I was supposed to cut the bottom out so that the roots could continue to grow. That plant never grew to its potential because it was confined. Think about that. The thing is, we’re the same way. If we allow limitations to be put on us, we don’t grow in Christ.

Read Mark 11:22-25. Read verse 25 a few times, slowly.

What was Jesus talking about in these verses? (putting limits on what He can do and unforgiveness)

According to these verses, what happens when we pray believing God can and will answer?

What does it mean to forgive?

How does forgiving someone help you grow in faith?

How have you seen these things keep you from growing in your faith?

What steps do you need to take to actively pursue God’s will in these areas?

Growing in your faith in Christ will give you victory. Once I figured out the problem with that pepper plant, it had already died. It died because it couldn’t get the nourishment it needed to be a successful plant. You and I are in the same situation. When we don’t believe God can or will answer our prayers or refuse to forgive, our faith stagnates and our growth is minimal. But Jesus wants us to flourish. Christ wants us to have a dynamic, growing relationship with Him. What do you need to start pursuing to have that kind of relationship?

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotion, Mark, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Some “Office” Fun

Before I get into the “office” fun, Phil and I had the opportunity to go out to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for a couple days to take care of camp business.  While we were out there, we got to have dinner with Abby Postma.  Abby has been our Videographer for the past 3 summers and also our Intern last year.  It was so great to catch up with her and hear what she’s been up to since camp ended.  We are praying she’ll be able to return again this summer!

Despite what some of you may think, we have a lot of work to do throughout the year to get ready for the summer.  Most of the time we are very busy, but we do take advantage of the amusing things here in the office.  Each day, we have at least two dogs in the office, Boone (Phil Berry’s dog) and OJ (Sharon’s dog).  Some days, we have an extra visitor, Ezra (Chris Maslin’s dog).  We had a few extra sunglasses lying around and wondered what they would like with them on.

Oh the things we will do for a good laugh!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Abby Postma, Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Dogs, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

God Doesn’t Like Fakers

I DON’T LIKE PEOPLE WHO act like something or someone they aren’t. Most people call them fakers; the Bible calls them hypocrites. You see it all the time. You know people who try to be something they aren’t. They’re always trying to impress everyone or somehow be better than everyone else. You don’t really like to be around that kind of person. It feels tiring and pointless.

And when you’re absolutely honest with yourself, you’ve been that person at least once in your life.

Read Isaiah 29:13-16 and focus on verse 13.
 
What did God not like about the way the people were worshiping Him?
 
Think over the phrases God used, like “man-made rules” and “lip service.” What do those mean? How have you seen them play out in your life?
 
What are the results when people offer lip service to God?
 
What do these verses teach you about God’s attitude toward worship?
 
What are you allowing to distract you from truly worshiping God?

When God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to the Israelites, He didn’t have a lot of good things to say. He told them that they’d made worshiping Him into something meaningless. They did all the right things, but their hearts weren’t in the right place. Outwardly, they looked like perfect followers of God, but it was all fake. They’d watered down faith into a long list of rules. They said all the right things but didn’t mean them.

God doesn’t want us to be fakers—not in our lives or in our worship to Him. But many times, we’re guilty of just that. We can’t see God work if our worship is focused on us and not on Him. He wants us to come to Him with absolute honesty, without hidden motives. He wants to have a relationship with us through Jesus—not watch us follow a long list of rules. Be real with God. Come to Him with honesty when things are going well and when they’re not. Worship Him with every moment of your life, when it’s easy and when it’s not. It’s what He wants.

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Congratulations to Catherine Brown- February’s Free Store Winner

Thanks to all of you for commenting this past month, your opinions in our Hat Poll was so helpful.  This month we want to give a special shout out to Catherine Brown for all of her comments and encouragement!  Catherine will be recieving her Free Store of choice: Cheerwine and Sour Punch Straws, this week. 

Catherine will be moving up the hill to join the great Chickasaw Village this upcoming summer.  Her favorite skill was Crafts, and her favorite staffer was Lizzy Peterson who is returning another summer to lead our Chippewa girls.  We hope you enjoy your Free Store Catherine! Remember everytime you comment your name gets entered into that month’s Free Store Drawing, so keep the comments coming- we love hearing from you!

Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Crestridge Free Store, Free Store, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply