A note from Phil Berry

Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Executive Director

Camp Ridgecrest and Camp Crestridge families,

My first summer at Camp Ridgecrest was when I was 9 years old, and I was terrified as I rolled up to the front gate. I didn’t know anyone except for my older brother. From my first interaction at Camp, I felt welcomed and taken care of. Through the greatest adventures, and most challenging times, God used Camp and the people here to mold my faith, my character, my sense of humor, and my drive for excellence in ministry.

I remember Ron my first summer at Camp in the 80s, man he seemed old in my 9-year-old eyes. He wasn’t that old, but he was wise, faithful, and committed to all of us. This is how Ron has led the Camps team for decades – with wisdom, faithfulness, and commitment.

When my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I responded, “I want to be Ron.” I don’t remember the exact words I used, but essentially that’s what I told her. I wanted to serve others in this life changing place. For the past 30 years, with a short break, I’ve had the privilege to learn how to serve and to lead here at the greatest place on earth.

As a husband to Amy and a fellow camp parent – I have two Crestridge teenagers myself – I want to thank you in advance for trusting me, and the rest of the Camp team, with your children. Their social, emotional, and spiritual growth and safety are what drive our schedules. We spend 9 months preparing for three months filled with your sons and daughters – along with all of their questions, opinions, fears, and excitement. We love them and we love getting to point them to Jesus, the most important person in their life.

We are about impacting lives for God’s glory through Discipleship and Adventure. It’s what we love and it’s what the Lord has asked us to do. Thanks for doing it with us! And thanks for trusting me in this new role as Executive Director of Ridgecrest Summer Camps.

Phil Berry
Executive Director
Ridgecrest Summer Camps

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Carnival 4th Session 2017

Once again, an amazing night with our entire family in one place. Tons of fun had by all at Camp Ridgecrest and Camp Crestridge….

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Carnival Session 2

There is nothing like having 1000 of your closest camp friends along with an entire Carnival set up right in your back yard. Carnival was a blast for everyone at Camp Ridgecrest and Camp Crestridge this 2 weeks! Check out the view from above….

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Boys Camp, Camp Activites, Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, carnival, Christian Camp, Christian Summer Camp, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

A Star Wars Sock War

It finally happened. A Camp Ridgecrest favorite activity…. Sock War! Watch this Star War’s version of Sock War as good and evil battle it out and the winning team is determined by a light saber battle on the dock. Check out this short clip….

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Carnival Comes to Ridgecrest

No need to go anywhere! We’re bringing the Carnival to Camp. Twice a summer, we hire an entire Carnival crew to come set up at Camp Ridgecrest. The girls grab a shuttle over from Camp Crestridge for the largest Activity of the summer. The campers enjoy truck loads of inflatable rides, snow cones, cotton candy, carnival food, games, music, live entertainment, dunk booths, magic shows, costumes, and more! It’s an unforgettable evening for everyone. Check out this short video below….

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Activitites, Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, carnival, Christian Camp, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Summer Jobs | Leave a reply

Camp Ridgecrest Construction Update, January 2016

The New Year has come and that means just one (IMPORTANT) thing: summer is coming! We’ve been busy hiring staff, recruiting more campers, planning some awesome new games, and making sure Ron doesn’t get too rusty on his 2-Square skills. But while we’ve been busy with all that, there have been some BIG changes happening at camp. Scroll down to read (AND SEE) more!

The new Program Deck and Lake Lodge are coming along! – as of 1/15/16

Want to see where the new Apache and Shawnee cabins and Egypts are going to be? We thought you might. But did you know that the cabins will all be connected to the Egypt by a porch? That’s right! You don’t even have to leave your porch to go to the bathroom at night. Did you also know there’s going to be a brand new Apache/Shawnee fort area? You can also see where the NEW TBI is going to be this year. The Sioux will have an awesome new home and be close to their Apache brothers! Check it out!

Layout of Apache, Shawnee, Sioux for 2016, – as of 1/15/16

Check out the Lake Lodge these days, pretty crazy looking huh? It’s going to have a sweet new stage upstairs that’ll be used for Sock War skits and other fun games! The public restrooms will be nice so you don’t have to run back to your hill to use the bathroom, and will help eliminate lines on Opening and Closing Day! The clothing store is coming right along and will have some really cool new items you’ve never seen before.

Lake Lodge Update – as of 1/15/16

Did you know there’s going to be a new gym where the tennis courts were? We do apologize if tennis skill was your favorite, but we’re betting you’re going to like what’s going there in its place! Not only will the new gym give us an awesome indoor space for games and OA’s on rainy days, but it will also be the new home to basketball skill, NEW hockey skill, an indoor climbing wall, and MORE! You’re going to have to use your imagination to see it in the photo below, but it’s going to be incredible!

New multi-purpose gym coming in 2016! – as of 1/15/16

Hey STAFF! Did you know we’re going to have a MUCH bigger parking lot for you this summer? That’s right, a parking lot big enough to hold all of your cars in one place! Soon we’ll be clearing some trees and land near the back gate. In this photo, you can also see how Sequoia Lodge is coming along. Sequoia Lodge will be home to the Director’s family and will also house ALL female staff together in one place, for the first time ever!

A much needed Staff Parking Lot sits behind Sequoia Lodge, – as of 1/15/16

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, construction, January 2016, Lake Lodge, Map, Renovations, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Update | Leave a reply

Merry Christmas – Win $50!

Merry Christmas from your camp family here at Ridgecrest Summer Camps! We hope that this holiday season is tons of fun, marked by encounters with Jesus. Somehow, we are loved so much by our Creator that He decided to help us understand who He is by moving into our neighborhood and living among us. Enjoy your time with family and friends this Christmas Season.

Just for fun, we are giving away $50 to the camp store for the best and most creative Caption that you come up with for our Christmas Card. Simply email your caption to rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com. We will announce the winner after the holidays! Good luck, and Merry Christmas!

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Something New Is Coming…

OK, so maybe we went a little overboard. But what can we say, we got excited! Watch this…something new is coming…. and I think you are going to like it… We will announce what it is on May 1st.

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Thanksgiving Encounters

Thanksgiving is known for its festive cuisine and the time spent with family, but unfortunately Thanksgiving around camp this year has been know for other reasons. Check out our new video and see what we mean!

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

Our Gingerbread House

Ridgecrest Summer Camps recently entered a Gingerbread House Contest that was held at the Ridgecrest Christmas Party (Conference Center and Camp staff).  We also had to submit a video with our Gingerbread House.  We didn’t win first place, but we did win “Most Creative”!  You all should be proud!

Posted in Boys, News | Tagged Camp Crestridge, Camp Ridgecrest, Christmas Party, Gingerbread House, Gingerbread House Contest, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply