In Ridgecrest Summer Camps

Well, it’s exciting and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Some sessions already have a wait list. This is the fastest registration process in the history of Camp Ridgecrest. We are doing everything we can to ensure that our returning campers can get their spot, but you have to act fast. All current campers were sent multiple emails with the registration link included. Check your inbox for details.  General Camp registration opens September 1, 2010.

Also, we are in the middle of the first annual Friend Frenzy Week! This is a week designed for current camp families to give their friends a chance to sign up before we post the registration link to the general public. Take advantage of this unique opportunity that ends August 31st.

Overall, the summer of 2009 was a huge success! We love hearing story after story of how God used this place to impact the lives of campers, staff and even parents. If you have a story to share, please comment below, or send us an email to rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com. We love hearing what God is doing in the lives of our Camp Family.

See you in the Summer of 2010 at Camp Ridgecrest and don't forget to check out our Glorieta Summer Camps.

Growing up, I never had the opportunity to attend a summer camp. At the time it was no big deal because I didn't know what I was missing. However, the longer I've been involved with our summer camps, the more I wish I could have enjoyed the camp experience as a child.

The following is a recently published article detailing a mom's wish to provide that summer camp experience for her kids. I hope you'll enjoy it.

When Heather Murry tried to enroll her children in camp at Ridgecrest, there were no spots open. Camp staff suggested she try their newer sister camp in Glorieta, N.M. The mother of five from Belmont Baptist Church in Conyers, Ga., said that was divine providence.

"Glorieta boys and girls camps are the jewel of the Southwest – it’s an undiscovered treasure," Heather said. "We wouldn’t trade any camp in the world for this one. It has everything from good, old-fashioned archery and canoeing to worship and quiet times all in one of the most beautiful settings you’ll ever experience."

To read the entire story, please click here.

What about you? Did you have a camp experience growing up? What about your kids? A week or two each summer, at a Christian camp, could have a huge impact on their spiritual growth. If you don't believe me, find someone who's had a "good, old fashioned camp experience" and I'm sure they will tell you the same thing!

My son has been at camp for ten days now, with three more to go.  I miss him terribly but the great thing about Camp Ridgecrest is that every day they post pictures of the days activities online with a note that includes daily highlights and what they were served for meals.  As a Mom, what they served for meals is very important because you do wonder if their eating and knowing what they were served gives you a good idea if they ate or not.

Anyway, I sent my son with 14 postcards (all pre-addressed and stamped), I figured that they had a rest period every day, so how hard could it be to write a quick postcard.  It wasn't like I sent stationary and expected a letter.  Apparently, harder than I thought.  I have received one postcard at this point and it said "I love you mom".  As excited I was to hear that, it just wet my whistle, I still wanted to know more. (Let's face it, I want to know if he's brushing his teeth.)  Then today in the mail I received a postcard from camp.  Not one from my child of course.  But, the next best thing...his counselor.  Now we were talking, his counselor told me how he had spent his extra money, what he was doing,  that he was sleeping well (still no mention of the teeth, but I'll get over it), that he's having a great time.  His counselor told me about some of the skills he has learned, like throwing a Frisbee and how well he is doing in volleyball and how he talks constantly. 

Yes, finally I had some information and I couldn't have been more excited about it.  Then at the end of the note came the most important sentence of all.  He said "and he is really growing in the Lord every day."  Wow, you can't get that from a picture but, that is what it is all about.  The knowledge of these camp programs and their focus on discipleship gave me the ability to send my eight year old to camp for two weeks so far away in the first place. 

Hard to believe, but summer is upon us. Temps are starting heat up, the humidity is becoming a real pain and everyday I see "tweets" (mini posts on Twitter for you non-Twitter folks) from summer staffers arriving at Glorieta or Ridgecrest. All sure signs that summer is here! 

If it's summer, then that also means it's time for summer camp! Later this week our counselors and staff will begin arriving at Camps Ridgecrest and Crestridge to begin a rather intensive (but also fun) 9-10 days of training. This training is critical in ensuring that we provide our campers with a camp experience that is both life-changing and safe. (I'm looking forward to getting over to North Carolina and catching the last couple of days of this training. Who knows, maybe I'll even take a turn on the blob if the lake's not too cold!)

In coming to LifeWay over 8 years ago, the one area of our conference center and camp ministry that I knew very little about was camp. I must admit, my impressions of camp were heavily influenced by movies such as "Meatballs" and "Heavyweights". Imagine my surprise when I learned that not all camps are like those in the movies! During the past several years I've had the opportunity to meet many excellent Christian camping professionals and to hear their heart for the camping ministry. In addition I've heard story after story of life change from folks who have attended our own summer camps.

As a result, I have become a huge proponent of Christian camping and would encourage any parent to seriously consider sending their child to a summer camp. For a parent like me, who had no camp experience growing up, choosing the right camp could be overwhelming. Fortunately there is help online. The American Camp Association (ACA) has an excellent resource article on their website to help parents choose what type of camp to consider. (Click here for the ACA article.) For those parents with a special needs child, I found another article online that you may find helpful. (Click here for the special needs article.) A third resource, to help you locate a camp near you, can be found at FindaChristianCamp.com.

Attending summer camp can be a great opportunity for your child to grow in Christ and learn how to spread their wings away from mom and/or dad. What about it? Will you consider sending your child to camp this summer? It's not too late!

In this video, Phil Berry (assistant director at Ridgecrest Summer Camps) talks about a rather embarrasing moment that happened the first year he attended Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. More importantly, he goes on to discuss the very positive impact Christian camping has had on his life.

In the 8 years I've been with LifeWay I have heard many, many stories about the life change that takes place every summer at Camp Ridgecrest and Camp Crestridge. I've also learned the same is true at the many fine Christian camps around the country. These camps make a difference in the lives of the children that attend each summer and I'm honored to be a part of this ministry.

From one parent to another, I encourage you to take a couple of minutes and listen to what Phil has to say about the value of Christian camping.