Ridgecrest Summer Camps

Cabin, Sweet Cabin

Posted by Karah

We realized that it’s been a little while since we’ve done a post about the new cabins, so here you are! At this point, not much else needs to be done to them in preparation for the summer. The plumbing in some of the cabins needs to be completed. Then final inspections and lastly, moving in the beds and other small furniture pieces. Below are pictures of how they look right now.

So there you have it…this is what will be home, sweet home for some of you this summer!

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Let There Be Light!

Posted by Karah

It’s the little things in life that need to be celebrated, in my opinion. And another little step towards finishing construction has been taken…we now have electricity in the Bear Trap!

Each thing that’s done only brings us closer to summer being here! It’ll be here before any of us know it!

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Freely Given

Posted by Melissa

Freely Given
Read This Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:12-16

Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, in order to know what has been freely given to us by God. —1 Corinthians 2:12

HERE’S SOMETHING YOU may not know: Murfreesboro, Ark., is home to the only diamond mine in the world that allows the public to search for and keep any gems it finds—for a small fee, of course. My family visited this tourist spot last summer during a week that boasted 100 degree temperatures. We paid our fees to enter the park and rented the necessary equipment: shovels, pails, and strainers. Our excitement grew with every display we stopped to read, complete with headlines recounting 7-carat wonders. Even the sight of multitudes of bedraggled fellow -“miners” digging in 37 acres of dirt did not deter us. We had visions of a great discovery. And since we had seven “miners” in our family and two diamonds on average were found each day, we figured our chances were good.

Our enthusiasm did not last long. Squatting is hard, and it was hot. After about an hour of digging, sifting, kicking, changing spots, and questioning why we ever thought this was a fun idea, we quit. It was a unanimous decision, quite possibly the only one of the entire vacation. We chalked it up as a learning experience.

In today’s passage, Paul informed his readers that spiritual wisdom doesn’t come by experience. It isn’t a matter of human intellect or sitting under the best teachers. Paul pointed out that the ability to discern what is of Christ and what is not comes from the Holy Spirit. And as a Christian, it’s been freely given to you by God.

Wisdom is key to a successful life. And God has given it to you in the form of the Holy Spirit. Trust Him!

Real Choices
Do you base your relationship with Christ on past spiritual experiences or how much you know about the Bible? Acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s guidance, not what you do in your own power, as your only means of becoming a “spiritual person.”

Digging Deeper
How does Scripture describe the condition and abilities of our own reasoning in today’s passage? In Romans 8:7? How are you refusing to submit yourself to God’s leadership?

Pray
Make a habit of praying each day that the Holy Spirit would grant you spiritual wisdom.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged 1 Corinthians, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotion | Leave a reply

More New Skill Options?

Posted by Karah

Last week I uploaded a couple clips showing some new skill options for camp. Of course, when we thought of these skills it was in the middle of winter so they would really only work if camp stayed open year round. Even though that’s not going to happen anytime soon, it was still fun playing outside in the cold and icy weather.

These two clips are a couple more options for new skills that we came up with. The first one is a type of strongman competition. Instead of a log or caber toss, how about an ice toss? The person who can carry the biggest slab of ice and throw it the farthest wins.

Hayne, one of our local go-to guys, wins this round. For those of you might want to try this at home, wear gloves! Hayne’s hands were freezing and remember…safety first!

Now watch the boys intern, Stewart, try and make his way across the frozen lake in a canoe.

For those keeping a tally sheet, that makes:

1. Ice Fishing

2. Ice Disc Golf

3. Ice Throwing

4. Ice Canoeing

Which was your favorite?

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, Crestridge funny videos, Crestridge snow/ice, Ridgecrest funny videos, Ridgecrest snow/ice, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Introducing the 2009 Village Directors

Posted by Sharon

If you haven’t checked your calenders recently, campers will be coming in 12 1/2 weeks. It will be here soon! We would like to take this opportunity to introduce the 2009 Village Directors so you know who is going to be leading you this summer!

My name is Lizzy Peterson and this summer I will be the Chippewa Village Director. I am from Charlotte, NC but I go to Denison University, which is a small college in Granville, Ohio. I am currently a freshman at Denison and as of now, my major is undeclared, but I am looking heavily into Psychology and Educational Studies. This upcoming summer will be my ninth summer at Crestridge; I spent 7 summers as a camper and 1 year on staff. Crestridge has meant so much to me over the past years, both as a camper and as a staffer. I am so excited to see what God has in store this summer. Even more, I am eager to meet all of the girls in, and out of, my village. Every girl that comes through the gates of Crestridge is unique in her own sense. I am most looking forward to watching these girls grow in Christ. I cannot wait to meet everyone in just a few months!

My name is Catherine Green and I will be the Chickasaw Village Director. I am a sophomore Biology major at the University of Montevallo in Alabama. This summer will be my 5th summer at camp, my 3rd on staff. I am most looking forward to building relationships and loving on the campers. One of the best things about Camp Crestridge is the awesome relationships that you make with your campers and the other staff because you are with them for at least 2 weeks! God is gonna do some amazing things this summer, get ready!!!!

Hello my name is Kelly Lipscomb and will be the Cheyenne Village Director. I just completed my freshman year at the University of North Florida, go Ospreys! I am currently undecided in my major and keeping my options open. This summer will be my eighth year at Camp Crestridge. I am looking forward to spending the summer with new and returning campers. I can’t wait to worship and praise the Lord through all the activities we do at camp. I am excited to sit around the campfire and sing along with the campers. My prayer is that the campers grow spiritually, kindle new friendships, and experience the love that Christ has for each and every one of us.

My name is Sarah Knowles and I will be the Choctaw Village Director. I am a junior at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). I am majoring in Elementary Education and hope to teach 2nd or 3rd grade. This is my 12th year at camp. Crestridge has been a huge part of my life and can’t imagine how my life would be different had I not attended Crestridge! I absolutely love working with kids. I have always loved working with younger kids (which led me to be an elementary education major) but this past summer, as a Choctaw counselor, I learned that I LOVE working with this age group! Choctaws taught me so much, and I had so much fun laughing, loving and learning with them. I am so excited to spend another summer with these girls who love to have fun!

My name is Caroline Knowles and I am so excited and blessed to be back at Crestridge this summer serving as the Cherokee Village Director! This will be my 12th summer I’ve spent at camp, my third year on staff. I am really looking forward to challenging these girls and digging deep, going beyond the superficial level. As a camper I built some great, long lasting relationships with my own counselors and village directors and treasured those. I am looking forward to doing that again with these girls this year. I am finishing up my Junior year at the University of Florida, majoring in Elementary Education and hoping to teach early elementary grades in the future. Looking forward to a great summer and seeing what great things God has in store for each of us!

We are so excited for you all to be here this summer!

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The Bear Trap…With Floors

Posted by Karah

The floors were finally installed in the Bear Trap and I must say they look good! Now I know that I’m a little bias, but look for yourself at the pics below.

Check out that nice shine on the hardwood floor! The same flooring was added in the staff lounge and VD offices upstairs.

Also added were the combination locks on the upstairs offices…

Things are definitely coming together for the summer. There’s a few minor things that need to be done and then it’ll be time to move in all the furniture! Then before you know it, it’ll be May and the building will be in use!!

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge Construction, Crestridge bear trap, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

New Skills?

Posted by Karah

If you’re part of our facebook fan page, then you know that we’ve asked campers and staff what new skills they’d like to see this summer. (If you’re on facebook and not a fan of the camp, then you need to be!). The following clips are suggestions from us on what the new skills should be. Watch the clips and tell us what you think.

And as you know, we here at Ridgecrest Summer Camps are all about safety first, so it would be the counselors who would cut the holes with the chainsaws…just as Stewart demonstrated.

How about Ron’s throwing arm?!?! He might even be available to lead this skill if buttered up enough!

Okay, so you’ve probably figured out that these skills wouldn’t be plausible for the summer. Back in January we had some really cold days where the lake froze over (about 4 inches thick) and we just had to take advantage of that since it doesn’t happen often! What you watched is some of the crazy fun antics we here in the office came up with. Check back next week to see a couple other clips of how we had fun with the ice and cold weather.

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, Crestridge funny videos, Crestridge snow/ice, Ridgecrest funny videos, Ridgecrest snow/ice, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

All or Nothing

Posted by Melissa

All or Nothing
Read This Passage: Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. —Proverbs 3:5-6

I WAS LISTENING to a sermon recently about modesty. The pastor asked a question that really caught my attention: Do you take God to the Gap?

His point was clear. You should “think about Him in all your ways,” even when it’s a decision about T-shirts and jeans. Clearly, God wants all or nothing. He desires our trust in all areas, clothing included!
But a thinking strategy like that doesn’t come easily. First of all, that’s not the way we like to do things. We want to give God the big things—decisions, goals, dreams, sickness, pain—and handle all the little things on our own. We can call Him in if things get out of control, right?

The thing is, as today’s key verses point out, God wants us to trust Him in all things with all of our hearts. He doesn’t just want the big things. He wants it all.

So, how would our lives be affected if we really sought to acknowledge God in everything we do? It might mean rethinking what we wear or the events in which we participate. It could mean preparing for our someday spouses rather than dating around. It might mean giving God the glory when you achieve a goal, win a game, or receive an award. It might mean serving God without recognition, notoriety, or the big bucks, which directly opposes the world’s understanding of success.

According to today’s verses, a “Think-About-God-in-All-Your-Ways” strategy isn’t optional. He wants us to rely on Him in all things, not just the things we don’t think we can handle. God wants it all. What does that mean for you?

Real Choices
Set an alarm on your watch or phone to remind you to think about God periodically throughout the day. When it sounds, ask yourself: Am I allowing God to guide me right now?

Digging Deeper
Proverbs 3:5-6 is a popular pair of verses. Read them in context as you study the entire third chapter of Proverbs. What new insights can you gain by reading them as a whole?

Pray
Father, help me to seek You in every area of my life. I want to trust You fully to guide me on the right paths.

Posted in Devotions, Girls | Tagged Proverbs, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotion | Leave a reply

Fun in the snow

Posted by Karah

All work and no play makes camp a pretty dull place. Thankfully we know how to play here at camp. Since it doesn’t really snow here that often, we take full advantage of it when it does! So yesterday Sharon and I decided to build a snowman before everything melted away. Check out the pics below to see our new friend.

Of course once Stewart, the boys camp intern, saw what we were doing he had to come out and one up us. He built his own snowman to tower over ours.

Okay, I know what you may be thinking, “How come Stewart’s snowman is so much bigger?” Before you go thinking that Sharon and I were just lazy and didn’t want to take the time to build a bigger snow buddy, check this out…

Who’s the lazy one now?

We’re not sure what to name them. Any suggestions?

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In Like a Lion…

Posted by Karah

So you know that old weather proverb about March, “In like a lion, out like a lamb”? Well, for us here at camp, March certainly roared its head! On Sunday, March 1st, it snowed on and off all day. At camp, we had around 3 inches. Now I know 3 inches may not sound like a lot to some of you, but let me tell you, for this Texas girl it was a little taste of Heaven! And at Sharon’s home there was around 8 inches! Needless to say, she had a snow day yesterday while others of us were in the office.

I walked around parts of camp yesterday and took some pics since you all couldn’t be here to see it with us…enjoy!