VLOG: Bedlam Ball With a Little Newspaper Party on Top

We had a ton of fun playing Bedlam Ball in the rain! Once we were good and soaked, we transitioned inside to play a Newspaper Party… a camp favorite! But we weren’t done there… after we had the boys good and tired, we relaxed and watched a movie at Ridgecrest Cinema. It was a packed night, and they had a blast! Watch how much fun they had!

Posted in News | Tagged Bedlam Ball, Camp Activity, Camp Ridgecrest, Newspaper Party, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, VLOG | Leave a reply

Keep Your Word

When actor Gary Sinise gave his word to Marine Cpl. J.B. Kerns, he intended to keep it. So, he did.

In March, Sinise and his band, the Lt. Dan Band, were set to perform at a benefit concert to raise money for Kerns, a Virginia Marine who lost part of his right arm and both legs below the knee in Afghanistan last year. Sinise had to cancel that appearance because of a car accident, but rescheduled it for May 24, 2012.

Sinise didn’t say why he chose to keep his word to Cpl. Kerns, but Christians do have a reason to keep their word. Read Matthew 5:33-37 in your Bible. Pay close attention to verse 37.

Oath—noun
• a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says, or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says
• a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one’s words • something (as a promise) corroborated by an oath

Behind the Story
In Jesus’ day, oaths to God were considered binding. Therefore, Jews would avoid using God’s name in their oaths and sub in other things (like heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or their own heads). In this passage, Jesus condemns that sort of flippant, careless type of speech. Your yes should be yes. Your no should be no. You should keep your word.

Take Action
Take some time to evaluate yourself. How well do you keep your word . . .
to your parents?
to your friends?
to your teachers?
to coaches/teammates?
to your counselors/cabinmates?
to your church?
to God?

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Reprinted from ec magazine. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission., Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

VLOG: Camp-wide Clue

You may remember the classic game of Clue. Sometimes it’s a board game, sometimes it’s an event held at a bed and breakfast, but this time it’s a huge game with all 325 campers and staff at Camp Ridgecrest for Boys! There were 11 suspects, 8 weapons, 8 possible dates, 8 rooms where the crime could have taken place, and 8 motives that the campers had to decide between. The camp was broken into teams that had to run around the property completing small challenges in order to learn facts about the crime. If you completed the challenge, then you received a clue. The first team to solve the mystery was declared the winner!

Perhaps the funniest part of the game is the end when the mystery unfolds before their very eyes. Our “characters” act out the hilarious crime as answers to the questions are revealed one at a time. It was fun to play, and hysterical to watch. This game is a camper and staff favorite. Here is a sneak peak…

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Campwide Activity, Clue, Ridgcecrest Summer Camps, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, VLOG | Leave a reply

VLOG: A Country Breakfast

An average meal at Camp Ridgecrest is exciting. It’s loud, tons of energy, lots of food, laughter, cheering, singing, stomping and clapping… it’s just a good time. But there is one morning, twice a summer, where breakfast is a little bit rowdier than a typical day at camp. The best part of this breakfast is that it’s only the beginning of the best day of the session. This breakfast was followed by skills, SockWar, and then Organized Crime. It’s the day that never ends…and they love it. Check out this short clip from breakfast!

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Diamond Smuggling, Organized Crime, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, sockwar, VLOG | Leave a reply

VLOG – Bedlam Ball

Have you ever been to Wal-Mart or Target and seen those cages full of the large inflatable balls? I feel like every kid wants to grab one of those balls and play with it. That’s what inspired this Camp Ridgecrest game! We took 120 over-sized balls and placed them in a huge pile in the middle of a field. The entire camp, broken up into 10 teams, each guarding their own goal… we call it Bedlam Ball. It’s one of the campers’ favorites! Watch this short clip!

Posted in News | Tagged Bedlam Ball, Camp Ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, summer camp, VLOG | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: 1986 Brochure

Retro Friday’s are usually spent looking back 60, 70 and 80 years ago. But have you ever wondered what camp was like in the 1980’s? All of our campers and the majority of our staff were not even born yet in the 80’s. Take a look at the 1986 brochure for camp. Do you notice anything different from camp now? Comment below and let us know what you like most about the brochure. Tell us your stories of camp in the 1980’s – we’d love to hear them!

Click here to see the brochure!

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Retro Friday, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Swimming

Swimming has been one of the most popular activities at Camp Ridgecrest since opening it’s gates in 1929. You’ve read Retro Friday posts about Lake Ridgecrest and the different activities that are offered. But did you know that Camp Ridgecrest used to participate in swim meets? Swimmers at Camp Ridgecrest used to compete in several tournaments during the camp season, including a large four-camp meet sponsored by the Valley Athletic Association. The meets were conducted within divisions so that boys would compete only with boys of their own age and experience. A swimming trophy was awarded to the best swimmer in each division.

Though camp does not participate in swim meets anymore, we still offer campers to choose swimming as a skill. There are also multiple times each day that campers can swim during free time. Do you remember competing in the swim meets? Tell us your stories below!

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Lake Ridgecrest, Retro Friday, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: The Lake Lodge

Did you know that the Lake Lodge’s first summer was 1966? Many of you know the Lake Lodge well as it has a prime location in camp. Constructed of wood and native river stone, the Lake Lodge is the hub of camp. In 1966, it contained the central administrative office, assistant director’s office, pastor’s office, equipment room, clothing store, restrooms for guests and central staff living quarters. A few years later there was also a nurse’s station in the Lake Lodge.

Now the Lake Lodge is the main off-season administrative building for both boys and girls camps. During the summer the downstairs is used for the summer directors, like Program and Administrative Directors, all TL’s, and receptionists. There is also a mail room and restroom. The lobby wall’s are filled with camp session pictures dated all the way back to 1930! As you can see from this picture, not much has changed on the outside of the Lake Lodge. Do you remember when the Lake Lodge was first built? Comment below and tell us your stories!

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Retro Friday, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

The Best Blobs 2012

The time is coming soon fellas! Get your bathing suits ready and prepare for lift off! Check out this sweet video of the best blobs of 2012!

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Christian Camps, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, VLOG | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Packing List

Did you know back in 1932 campers were asked to bring a dress suit to camp? Can you imagine our campers now having to wear a suit to church? Our campers typically wear khaki shorts and a polo to church but you will also see some in a t-shirt and gym shorts.

Campers were also asked to bring all of their sports equipment like tennis rackets and balls, baseball glove, etc. Now camp asks that campers do not bring their own sports equipment because we do not want it to get lost or ruined. We provide everything a camper could want or need in terms of sports equipment!

My favorites on this list are handkerchiefs, white ducks, and bathrobe. Does anyone know what a white duck is? I will give you a hint: it’s not an animal! Do you remember having to bring items like these to camps? Comment below and let us know! 

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest Alumni and Friends, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Retro Friday, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply