How Ridgecrest Summer Camps Has Impacted My Family
Posted by SharonMy grandfather (Kermit Schmidt) was a Baptist preacher at First Baptist Church, in Tulsa, OK. In 1959, he and my grandmother put my mother on a train bound for Ridgecrest, NC. She attended Crestridge for two or three years as a Choctaw and Cherokee, and loves to tell stories about how fearsome Miss Bell was, how they would slide down Choctaw Hill when it rained (because there were no stairs at that time), and how they would sunbathe on the roof of the bathhouse.
Following my mother’s time at Crestridge, I had two other aunts attend, although my grandparents never visited Crestridge. They had served as Baptist missionaries in Brazil, and had spent some time at the conference center. I suppose they felt that Crestridge was a safe place for their children, and had a strong faith that Jesus would be a shepherd and watch over all. Those were certainly different times!
One of my aunts, Peggy Schmidt, became a Belle during her time at Crestridge. When her younger sister followed her footsteps to attend CC4G, Peggy felt it was so important for someone to be there at closing program, that she herself caught the bus from Oklahoma to North Carolina, to support her younger sister.
Many years later, ironically, I was convinced by a twelve year old friend of mine at my church to try out the camp she had been attending. Thanks to Cara Pollard, I started at Crestridge in 1984 as a Chickasaw. I enjoyed my years at camp so much that I returned as a Cherokee counselor in 1992, with Nancy Clare Morgan. It was one of the best summers of my LIFE! I still have my four goals in my Bible from various camp years, as to how I wanted to grow Spiritually, Emotionally, Physically, and Mentally.
Yet another generation later, in 2007, my mother and I dropped off my seven year old for Starter camp, having no idea what kind of an impact Crestridge would make in her life. All of Morgan’s best friends are Crestridgers, and they keep in touch throughout the year on Instagram, text messages, email, Snapchat, and any other type of social media. One New Year’s Eve a few years ago I asked her who she was texting? It turns out she was texting with her Chickasaw counselor. What an amazing impression these staffers make on our children.
In addition to Morgan’s experience at Crestridge, my son, Logan, has become a big fan of Camp Ridgecrest. He looks forward to his time there every summer. In addition, the fantastic marketing that the camps do on Instagram, Facebook, and snail mail keeps the kids energized and excited all year long. They participate in various online competitions, look forward to seeing posts about returning counselors, view silly videos that the staff put together during the off-season, read blogs/online Bible studies, and love individualized notes that they receive.
For all of the memories that I hold dear, for those that my children hold dear, for the future memories my children are making at Crestridge and Ridgecrest, and for the part these camps are playing in the Spiritual growth of my children, I am so proud to be able to be a part of the Camp Crestridge Alumnae and Friends Board. Thank you for this opportunity. With my feet on the ground and my heart attuned, Crestridge has taught me to always reach for the stars!
– Anne-Britton Arnett
Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Anne Britton Arnett, Belle, CCAF, Crestridge, Memories, ridgecrest, Social Media | Leave a reply
Happy Thanksgiving
Posted by SharonWhat a great time of year we are getting into! Great food, extra time spent with friends and family, fun music, time away from school and work, and most importantly, the reminder of what God has done for us. As we were thinking of how we could best say “Happy Thanksgiving” to you, we kept coming back to our video from last year. It was just too hard to top! So here’s another look…
Posted in Girls, News | Tagged Blog, Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Crestridge, Crestridge Thanksgiving, Crestridge Vlog, Norman Rockwell, Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving, ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Ridgecrest Summer Camps Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Blog | Leave a reply
Want to know if your favorite staffer is coming back? Look Here!
Posted by Karah
Hey guys!
We are extremely excited about our staff for this summer. We are almost completely done with hiring them. We have searched all over the country to get the very best staff to hang out with you guys and teach you about Jesus this summer! So here they are, your 2010 Camp Ridgecrest Staff!
Returning Staff:
Seth Ladd, Andrew Shirley, Sam Pineda, Wayne McLemore, Hunter Barnhardt, Micah Andrews, Tory Singer, Kyle Andrews, Wayne Hines, Eli White, Patrick Streeter, Juan Bowen, Steven Fuller, Brian Hartsfield, Graham Rigby, Jamey Klempin, Stephen Turner, Bryan Galloway, Quinton Stevenson, David Howerin, Jeremy Churchill, Nathan Harvey, Tyler Barrett, Jason Patskoski, Daniel Waldroup, Seth Showalter, Jeremy Craddock, Matt Stapp, Ben Fritz, Will Blanton, Britton Van Sickle, Justin Westbrooks, Daniel Waldroup, Bryan Melton, Richard Hutchins, Ginny Allgood, Christine Redd, Hillary Hunt, Rebecca Davis, Linzee Long, Kayla Dulhagen
Some Amazing New Staff:
Randall Ausdran, Culby Hinson, Mark Vining, Will Shepard, CJ Milam, Mike Payne, Jordan Keeney, Cade Sherman, Jesse Gysin, Derek Jankowski, Jared Morgan, Will Correll, Adam Nichols, Andrew Willhite, Jimi Bell, Matthew Ennis, Bobby Dalton, Brian Butcher, Nathaniel Burkett, Joshua Ward, Vince Sapp, Matthew McMillan, Logan Wells, Stephen Sloan, Will Thornton, Keatton Van Sickle, Chace Corbett, Seth Ennis, Drew Boggess, Daniel Field, Lydia Marsh, Allyson Basden, Caroline Arledge
Like we said we are very excited about our staffers so far! There will be a few more added here soon. I hope everyone is getting ready for the summer; there are 68 days until Opening Day IA!! See you soon!
By the way, of course, our fearless leaders, Ron and Phil will definitely be back!
Leave us a comment about these great staffers!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Blog, Ridgecrest Boys, Ridgecrest Staff, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Summer Camp Staff | Leave a reply
March Free Canteen Winner!!
Posted by Karah
Congratulations to David Henry! He is the free Canteen winner for the month of March. He won a free canteen by commenting on our blog! So if you want a free canteen delivered to your door, start reading our blog and commenting! David, your canteen will be at your door soon. Hope you all are ready for Canteen and everything else this summer; it is just around the corner!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Boys, Ridgecrest Canteen, Ridgecrest Canteen Contest, Ridgecrest Contest | Leave a reply