Camp Ridgecrest: A Few Blobs from 2010

One of the most visual icons of Camp Ridgecrest is the Blob, sitting out on Lake Ridgecrest. A few years ago, we added a second Blob, right next to the first Blob. Everyone loves this camp activity on a warm summer day. Here are a few of the best blobs that we caught on video from last summer…

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Retro Friday: Before The Lake Lodge

Years before the Lake Lodge existed, Camp was already going strong. Some of our great traditions were already in place, and great numbers of boy’s lives were being changed. One of the greatest differences was that the “camp center” wasn’t up by the Lake and the Lake Lodge with 4 square courts. A lot of the action around Camp Ridgecrest was located almost where the horse stables are today.

Notice in the picture below that the boys gathered at attention outside a building we don’t have anymore. In the 2nd picture, we see campers and staff eating in an unfamiliar building. This structure was called Fidelis Lodge. Looking back at the old aerial photo, you can see it near the tennis courts (below and to the left). I’m not sure when this building stopped housing meals and when Spilman Lodge became the Dining Hall for camp. If you know any of these details, share them with us. What else happened in Fidelis Lodge? In the mean time, check out these older pics. What else do you see that is different about camp in these photos?

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Retro Friday: Spilman Lodge and Morning Exercises

One of the things I love the most about camp is that some things seem to always stay the same. Well, almost the same. We have made some minor modification and improvements throughout the years, but we try to hold onto the tradition that has made so many experiences life changing. We have generations within some families that have all experienced a cool morning at Camp Ridgecrest doing a “morning exercise.” Granted, one generation was doing jumping jacks, while the next generation is doing finger push-ups.

Then we have an old picture of Spilman Lodge from about 1948. You can see the original cabins located behind Spilman Lodge on the right of the picture. And you can see part of “The Green House” on the far right (looks white). Originally B.W. Spilman’s Home, it became the camp office, with additional housing and even a barber shop. The Canteen now sits where The Green House once sat.

Also, it’s interesting that the Spilman Lodge picture has a one way street  sign, pointing down hill. This is now the main entrance into Camp Ridgecrest!

If you know any additional info about these pictures or the buildings in them, please comment below!

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Morning Exercises, Retro Friday, Ridgecrest Alumni, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Spilman Lodge | Leave a reply

Retro Friday Begins

After finding some old and impressive Camp Ridgecrest pictures, we have decided to share them with you! Each Friday we hope to release a few pictures from Ridgecrest Vault (located somewhere in the Lake Lodge.) If you have any old pictures you wish to add, please send them our way. You can even scan them and email them to camp! In the mean time, enjoy these historical pictures of Camp Ridgecrest!

Above you will find 2 images. The first is an aerial view of Camp. Notice the old Fidelias Lodge where the Stables now are. You can also see cabins behind Spilman where the parking lot is now. And, check out where the Canteen is today… What else do you see that is different? Comment below…

The second picture is Ron Springs first contract to serve at Camp Ridgecrest in 1976. You need to read it.

Enjoy, and check back next Friday! (Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog to have posts emailed to you!) Look on the right side of the page…

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Retro Friday, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Spilman Lodge Fidelias Lodge | Leave a reply

The First Secret Assignment of the New Year!

So we were thinking about what the secret assignment should be for this month and realized that the parts of camp we miss the most right now are the cheers and songs! With that in mind, we want you to go out into the world and share your camp spirit. This month, the winners will be the people who can send us pictures and videos of themselves doing a song or cheer in a public place. We chose the Biltmore Estate, where will you go? Submissions are due on Friday, January 28th. As usual, all submissions can be sent to Hunter Barnhardt at rhbarnhardt@gmail.com. Good luck and have fun!

The First Secret Assignment of the New Year! from Ridgecrest Summer Camps on Vimeo.

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Biltmore Estate, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, January Secret Assignment, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Secret Assignments | Leave a reply

Cabins Get A New Look

Work crews were back to work after the holidays, despite the snowstorm that has been hitting Camp Ridgecrest. Eight of the nine cabins now have new siding up and are looking better than ever. Not only do they look great, but the new siding is made from a masonry board that will last for a very long time! Along with the new siding, the electrical work has been finished in many of the new cabins, and interior walls are beginning to be installed. The the interiors will be covered in rough wooden paneling, with clear Plexiglas strategically installed to serve as a window to the original walls and it’s signatures. It is almost like the signatures of old will be on display for the next generation of campers. (Pictures coming) The next step in construction will be painting the exterior of the cabins. Once the painting is done, cabin renovation will be near completion.

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Sounds of Ridgecrest

As you wrap up the holidays, the sounds of Christmas music playing, wrapping paper crinkling,  Santa’s Ho Ho Ho, and Salvation Army bells ringing all come to an abrupt halt. Which leaves plenty of room in our little heads to begin dreaming of the sounds of Ridgecrest. Summer will be here before you know it…

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December’s Assignment Winners

Christmas fever is slowly subsiding here at camp, but, in one last effort to make holidays remain just a moment longer, here are last month’s Secret Assignment Winners. We were pleased with the number, and quality, of submissions this past month, so we were faced with a difficult task with only selecting two winners. Stay posted to the website, because January’s secret assignment will be coming soon. So, with no further ado, here are the last remnants of Christmas 2010…

Harrison Collins was, as usual, very naughty. Here he is chasing Santa through the mall.

Maxx Marshall was nice this year. He was on Santa's Sock War team.

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Merry Christmas from the Camps

We know that every family has their own set of traditions, so we wanted to share some camp Christmas traditions. Most of you know all about our summer traditions, but what if camp had traditions in the off-season? You are being shown a never-before-seen look into our reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”. We would enjoy hearing what some of your family traditions are. You can share them by commenting here, or you can write on our facebook wall (http://www.facebook.com/CampRidgecrest ). From all of us here at camp, have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Merry Christmas from the Camps from Ridgecrest Summer Camps on Vimeo.

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Christmas Video, december, Ron meets Santa, Secret Assignments, sharon yelling | Leave a reply

Snow: One Reason We Are A SUMMER Camp

We’ve had enough snow to require 4 wheel drive to get around camp. The Lake is solid ice. We’re pretty sure you could walk across it, but we’re not willing to risk it. We did have time to make a snowman as we got out and enjoyed the snow. But in the end, we’re happy that the upstairs of the Lake Lodge has heat! The wind chill has been below zero! Enjoy the pictures… (you can click on the pics to enlarge them.)

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