Weekend Camps Recap

Posted by Sharon

Our summer doesn’t end with Starter Camp. At the end of August and beginning of September we had close to 700 people come to Crestridge and Ridgecrest! We had our Mother & Daughter Camp at Crestridge and Father & Son Camp at Ridgecrest, then Family Camp over Labor Day Weekend.

These two weekends allow families the opportunity to come experience our camps but also grow deeper in their relationship with Christ and each other. They have the opportunity to get messy, go swimming, sit around a campfire, go off the blob or Giant Swing together and so much more. They create memories that will remind them of what God did in their life while at camp! We love being apart of this and creating a place for these memories to happen!

Here is what some of our parents had to say about our weekend camps:
“We had sweet time away, just the two of us. It was nice to adventure and have fun and laugh together! I think we made special memories, just the two of us. We have 4 children, so it is hard to have such concentrated individual time with one child. Our motto is ‘More of Jesus, less of me’.”

“We loved going on an adventure together and focusing on God’s nature surrounded by other mothers/daughters. It definitely lifted us up as a team going into hard work during the school year and just the challenges we both face whether a 6 year old or 35 year old!”

“Sharing camp together. Safe, distraction-free space to have “deeper” conversations. Trying new adventures. Personally, the weekend was refreshing and refocusing toward the task at hand and the Lord’s blessing of being a father.”

“This weekend solidified our bond as a family. We appreciated each other for who we are as individuals with no distractions. We were delighted with the wonderful family memories we made.”

Consider joining us for a weekend camp in 2018! Our Father & Son and Mother & Daughter Camp will be August 24-26. Family Camp will be August 31-Sept. 3. For more info, click HERE to visit our weekend camps website! You’re never too old to be a camper!

 


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INSIDE SCOOP on YOUR 2017 STAFFERS!!!

Posted by Karah

Batch 2 of 2017 Staffers is UP! 2017 Staff Bios

Hang on. Wait a minute. Keep reading!

We just wanted to let you in on a little something about this summer’s staff. We have a top secret, staff facebook group, and we are already talking about this summer! We are getting to know each other. And let us tell YOU! They are FUN. They are EXCITED. And GOD is getting them ready for an incredible summer with you! They are looking forward to being silly with you. They are looking forward to sitting and talking about life with you. They are looking forward to sharing God’s word and Jesus with you. But that isn’t the best part…

Do you know what all of that means? That means that GOD is looking forward to making all of this happen because He loves you. Not because you’ve done anything to make Him love you, but because He just loves you because He loves you. Before He planned out this summer and got all of these counselors and staff to get ready for you this summer, He sent HIS ONLY SON for YOU so that you could KNOW HIM NOW!

Moms, Dads, and Campers. Camp and all of the things here and even your amazing counselors do not compare to how great Jesus is and how much He loves you and has sacrificed (If you don’t know what this word means, ask someone! It’s a beautiful word!) to love you. He loves you more than you know. And we can’t wait to share more of that with you! Sometimes life is great fun, and sometimes it’s pretty rough, but one thing is always true. If you know Jesus as your savior, HE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU.

Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

See you so so so soon! Only 94 more days till Session 1!!


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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Camp Crestridge

Posted by Karah

For two years in 1926 and 1927 an attempt to create a girls camp that was similar to Camp Ridgecrest was made. This camp was called Camp Star Note… that sounds a lot different from Camp Crestridge, huh? The camp really didn’t take off for different reasons. A couple of other attempts here and there were made during the summers to create a girls camp, but nothing really seemed to take off. So, how did Camp Crestridge even come about?
As quoted from an article about the start of Camp Crestridge for Girls here is a brief history of the very beginning of camp.
“T.L. Holcomb, executive secretary of the Sunday School Board, received a twenty-five dollar check designated for a girl’s camp. Holcomb planted that seed money immediately and growth began with the formulation of a committee to study the matter and select a site. Holcomb let the Board to allocate one hundred thousand dollars for 1953 and fifty thousand dollars for 1954 to begin the development process.
George Pickering, director of Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, strongly supported the effort for a sister camp. Many of the programming concepts and administrative techniques which he developed in the boys’ camp were shared with the girls’ camp to make the beginning much easier. He suggested that the name of the boys’ camp be used with the syllables reversed as a name for the girls’ camp. Camp Crestridge for Girls was born.”

We have seen a lot of changes in camp over the years. Some of those changes are a big part of what has helped to create the camp that we all know and love today! Here is an inside scoop on a few things that you didn’t know about Camp Crestridge.
1. The dining hall was not finished in the first summer of camp. No, campers didn’t have to make and bring their own food, the Ridgecrest Conference Center provided meals… 3 times a day. That is not the crazy part though. Did you know that for each meal, campers and staff were required to put on their Sunday best and walk to the conference center? Imagine walking to Nibble Nook 3 times a day in your nicest dress. I guess that is why the packing list included 3 Sunday dresses instead of Nike running shorts.

conference CenterMeal time
2. Have you ever noticed the big Camp Crestridge sign right outside of camp when you first come to the fork in the road between the upper and lower gates? It has moved locations over the years to mark the entrance to camp, but it has been around since the start in 1955!

Front Gate
3. One of the best days in camp is when those big yellow buses roll up to take villages off to go on their village trip. Did you know though that Camp Crestridge owned a bus? Today when we go on trips we rent buses from a company, but back in the day Crestridge had its very own monogrammed bus.

Bus
4. We have seen the camp emblem on stickers, we wear it, and it’s probably most noted in the stained glass in the chapel. But what does the emblem even mean? There is a purpose in every little detail of the emblem. The horseshoe stands for the sincere best wishes that we have as each camper comes to camp that she will find her piercing purpose (arrow) in life. As she does this, we believe that completion (circle) comes in the growth of spiritual, mental, physical, and social areas of life (points).

Emblem
And last but not least, #5.
5. This past year was the first time that we had more than one place to swim at Camp Crestridge! Up until last summer, we only had the lake. Did you know that the Crestridge Lake has been said to have first been created in the shape of a heart? Whether or not that is a solid fact is a mystery to us. So, next time you are here, take a look at it and see for yourself if you think that may be true.

Lake
We are excited for the many years of camp to come! Looking back on all the different years of Camp Crestridge and seeing changes that have been made but our God who always stays the same is so neat! We thank our Heavenly Father that He is and always will be the constant in our changing lives.


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On-line Scavenger Hunt Challenge

Posted by Karah

Here is the blog post you need to complete the on-line scavenger hunt we had in the Spring Bear Tracks you recently received. If you didn’t receive the Bear Tracks, you can still complete this challenge! Complete this scavenger hunt and be the first one to email the answers to rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com and you could win $50 to the camp store. (Please put your name in the email along with the answers numbered to match the blanks!) To do the on-line scavenger hunt follow the clues below and answer each question. The links will take you to different websites to find the answer for each blank! Have fun!

My Ideal Day at Camp

The first thing I want to hear in the morning is the sound of the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­    Blank 1    ___Blank 2_and Marva’s voice ringing loudly over the speaker. All morning when I am at skills I think about ­     Blank 3  Blank 4     Blank 5 . That is just what I need to give me the energy I need for my favorite activity – sock war! The only problem is that I have a sweet tooth, but that will be  Blank 6  by going to the   Blank 7   to get some Reese’s Cups. After working up a sweat during sock war, it feels great to  Blank 8   into the nice cool lake. After free swim, a few friends and I go find  Blank 9  Blank 10 and start building the Blank 11  so we can cook  Blank 12   Blank 13 . But we can’t hang around for too long because we get to go sing campfire songs with Blank 14   Blank 15. There is no better way to end the day than to sit by the fire and watch the Blank 16 float into the starry sky.

 

  1. Blank 1 & 2– What is the first thing listed on the “Typical schedule” here: http://www.ridgecrestcamps.com/girls/program/day_at_camp.shtml?
  2. Blank 3 – What is the main kind of meat this carrier offers: meat carrier?
  3. Blank 4 – What is a word that means, “Having a soft or yielding texture”? (Hint: you can use Google to help you.)
  4. Blank 5 – What day is two days after Sunday?
  5. Blank 6 – Follow this link: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+17:15&version=NIV1984 to the New International Version of Psalm 17:15. What word in this passage could also mean “content”?
  6. Blank 7 – Go to this picture on the Camp Crestridge for Girls Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151220240870188&set=pu.96538800187&type=1&theater. What building is this a part of?
  7. Blank 8 – Watch the video on the Blog for January 30th  called,  “These are a few of my favorite things.” http://girlsblog.ridgecrestcamps.comcategory/girls/ The 2nd to last camper on the video says she likes two things “_______ and being in the cabin with friends.” What is the first thing she says she likes?
  8. Blank 9 – First word: opposite of wet: _____________;
  9. Blank 10 – Second word: What is this website giving you information about: information?

10. Blank 11 – According to this website, (dwelling places), what are Plains Indian’s dwelling places?

11. Blank 12 – This is a kind of car that is a mix between an SUV and a standard car. An example is a Buick enclave.

12. Blank 13 – One of the fireside “desserts” we eat at camp: fireside dessert

13. Blank 14 – 1st word: what are the girls doing in this video: Crestridge Video Blog ?

14. Blank 15 – What is the name of a Native American Leader (wikipedia ) and also the name of a kind of tree (wikipedia)

15. Blank 16 – What is something that is in a fire? online dictionary

Don’t forget to e-mail your answers to rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com!  First person to send us the correct answers will win $50 to our camp store!


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Remembering the Past

Posted by Sharon

As you may know, our beloved Store was recently taken down in order to build a bigger, better Store.  Most of us aren’t aware of what the Store once was.  After digging through old pictures, I found one that reveals its history.

The Store used to be the Staff Lounge back in the day.  This picture was taken in the 1960’s.  It used to be an open room with furniture, books, and the signature pay phone.  According to Anja Cleveland, if a staffer wanted to make a phone call, they had to wait in line and everyone would end up hearing their conversation.   Campers were rarely allowed inside.  As a camper, Rhonda Smith went in only once and that was to give her counselor a perm!

At that time, the clothing was sold in a small building behind the Dining Hall called “The Beehive”.  The small building was where the Crafts building is now.

After the Staff Lounge was moved, it turned into the Store; a place where we currently give out candy and drinks and sell camp clothing.  The Store had a more official name which was “Crestridge Cupboard”.

Before we tore down the Store, we wanted to take out anything salvageable.  This was the last picture taken of the Store.

That building held a lot of memories!  We were sad to see it go, but just wait until you see what is taking its place!  Check back soon to see pictures of the progress.


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What Camp is like without the Campers

Posted by Sharon

Have you ever thought about what camp is like after the summer?  Have you ever wondered what we do when you’re not here?  It’s a hard transition when you leave camp and there’s only a few of us here.  I’m sure you probably go through a “camp” withdrawal after you leave.  We go through a “camper” withdrawal as well.  Just know that we are here thinking and praying for you.  Anytime you want to stop by or send us a message to let us know how you’re doing, we’d appreciate it!  Well, hopefully this will give you an idea of what camp is like without the campers…

What Camp Is Like Without Campers from Ridgecrest Summer Camps on Vimeo.

I hope you heard at the end of the video that we are getting a brand new Store/Museum this year!!!  Construction will be starting soon so be sure to check back for updates!


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