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?

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Fidelis Lodge, Lake Lodge, Ridgecrest Alumni, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Take Responsibility

When you play hide-and-seek with a 3-year-old, you don’t have to have a lot of strategic plans in order to win. That’s because 3-year-olds think they’re hidden when they’re not. The child may think he or she has found the perfect hiding place, but to you, his or her location is easy to spot. Now what does that have to do with sin?

Read 2 Samuel 12:1-12. Really pay attention to verse 7.

Who was Nathan and why did God send him to talk to David? (Nathan was a prophet of God.)

How would you summarize the story Nathan told David?

Why did Nathan tell David the story rather than just launching into the list of David’s sins? What does that teach you about God?

What was the symbolism in the story?

What was David’s reaction to Nathan’s tale?

What do these verses teach you about God’s response to sin?

How did David respond when he recognized his sin?

How should you respond when you recognize sin in your life?

Just like a 3-year-old playing hide-and-seek, sin can’t stay hidden for long. David thought he’d hidden his sin pretty well. Then, Nathan showed up. God knew about David’s sin, and that sin was causing problems in their relationship. You can’t hide your sin from God; He knows it and wants to forgive you and get His relationship with you back on track. But you have to take responsibility for your sin. Being forgiven begins with admitting to God that you have sinned. When you confess your sin and repent from it, meaning you turn from it, God freely forgives. What do you need to do today to feel His forgiveness in your life?

Nathan replied to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.’” —2 Samuel 12:7

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Adapted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources, Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, ec Magazine, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

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

Stop the Cycle of Sin

What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. How many times have you heard that little proverb? The problem? That saying is true.

Think about it. When has a decision to do one wrong thing led to a whole cycle of wrong in your life? What did you learn about yourself? How did you feel? Did everything spiral out of control? Explain.

Concentrate on verse 15 as you read 2 Samuel 11:6-17.

What was the first sin David committed?

How did he try to cover it up?

What was Uriah’s reaction when David tried to set his first cover-up plan into motion?

How is Uriah’s response an honorable response?

How does his honorable response compare to David’s behavior?

How did one sinful choice in David’s life spiral out of control?

What does this series of events in David’s life teach you about sin in your life?

What steps will you take today to stop the cycle of sin in your life?

David’s decision to sleep with Bathsheba led to a cycle of sin that overtook his life. Trying to cover up that first sin led to deception, lies, and eventually murder. David, the man after God’s own heart, had chosen to sin. Before he knew it, sin ruled his life. That’s what sin does. It destroys and generally leads to more sin and more consequences. Before we know it, one sinful choice has spiraled out of control and now sin rules every part of our lives.

If that describes you today, there is a way out of sin’s trap. Let it go. Admit your sin to God, turn away from it, and let His forgiveness and restoration play out in your life. Let Him control your life rather than a cycle of sin you can’t escape from.

In the letter he wrote: Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest fighting, then withdraw from him so that he is struck down and dies. —2 Samuel 11:15

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Adapted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources, Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, ec Magazine, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | 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

No Immunity

Read 2 Samuel 11:2-5.

I won’t ever do that!, we say to ourselves as we look at someone else’s sin. What are the sins you’ve promised yourself you’d never commit? Lying? Becoming addicted to pornography? Premarital sex? Treating some people better than others? Saying one thing and doing the opposite?

The thing is, none of us are immune to sin. Actually, sin is hardwired into us, thanks to the sin nature we inherited from Adam and Eve. It’s easy for us to stand at a distance and point our fingers and say, “I’ll never do that!” But the truth is, we’re all capable of all sin at any given moment.

Nothing proves that truth more than today’s Scripture passage. Earlier, in 1 Samuel 13:14, David had been described as a man who was loyal to God, a man after God’s own heart. Yet in today’s passage he chose to sleep with Bathsheba, who was someone else’s wife. David was the king and a man after God’s own heart. And what he had done was wrong. At this point in his life, when he was given the opportunity, he chose to sin. David wasn’t immune to sin, and neither are you.

But as a believer, you can also choose not to sin. Christ has given you the strength and power to choose right over wrong, but you have to make that choice. Recognize that you aren’t immune to sin. Then, take steps to decide how you’ll react when opportunities to sin come along, because they will. You aren’t immune to sin, but you can overcome it with Christ’s help. The question is, will you let Him help you?

David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. Now she had just been purifying herself from her uncleanness. Afterward, she returned home. —2 Samuel 11:4

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Adapted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources, Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, ec Magazine, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | 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

Build Up Each Other

Did you hear about . . . ? There they go again. It’s the Monday morning gossip time before school. You know you shouldn’t listen, but you don’t want to be in the dark either. But if they’re talking about other people, they may talk about YOU when you’re not around. This really has to stop, but how?

Read Ephesians 4:29-32. Look carefully at verse 32.

According to these verses, what type of conversation should you avoid?

What is the only good reason for talking about someone?

How is it possible to grieve the Holy Spirit?

What are the negative attitudes mentioned in these verses that must be removed from your life?

What does it mean to “be kind and compassionate” in your everyday life?

What are some actions you should take if you want to be like Jesus?

Why should you make an effort to forgive others?

Words are one of the most powerful things we possess. Words can build up or destroy. In Ephesians, we receive specific instructions on how to use our words: only to build each other up and to be kind and compassionate to one another. You may not be there yet. You may need to cut ties with some people you know to give yourself the opportunity to have these types of conversations. In the end it will be worth it as God leads you to more positive relationships.

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
—Ephesians 4:32

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Adapted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources, Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, ec Magazine, LifeWay Christian Resources, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Weekly Devotions | 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.

Posted in News | Tagged cabin construction, Cabin Restoration, Camp Ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

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…

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, camp sounds, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply