Retro Friday: 1986 Brochure

Posted by anthologycreative

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 , , , | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Swimming

Posted by anthologycreative

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 , , , , | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: The Lake Lodge

Posted by anthologycreative

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 , , , | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Packing List

Posted by anthologycreative

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 , , , | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Baseball & Basketball

Posted by anthologycreative

Did you know that Camp Ridgecrest baseball and basketball teams used to play outside games with Camp Blue Ridge, Chimney Rock Camp and the YMCA College of Blue Ridge? Two afternoons a week were devoted to campers that wanted to play baseball. Staffers would teach campers that wanted to learn or improve their game. Games were arranged for both younger and older campers. Camp Ridgecrest found that inter-camp games were very popular and our campers showed their spirit on the field.

For campers that wanted to play basketball they could hit the court on rainy days and in the evenings. Camp Ridgecrest campers also played in a sport league and arranged outside games with other camps.

These two pictures show campers in 1931 playing baseball and basketball. Can you imagine playing basketball in long pants and a belt? Though times have definitely changed with these two sports, we find that our campers still love baseball and basketball.

Do you remember playing baseball or basketball for Camp Ridgecrest against other camps? Tell us your stories below!


Posted in Boys, News | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Camp Application

Posted by anthologycreative

This camp application for the 1932 season shows the simplicity of camp and life over 80 years ago. In 1932 camp tuition was $142. This application was to be filled out and mailed in with $10. Imagine all of the paperwork that the camp director and administration sorted through and filed.  The $142 tuition included everything for the full season, June 30-August 25, except laundry and horseback riding. Because of the relationship with the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board and because it was not operated for profit, Camp Ridgecrest offered maximum advantages at minimum cost, even 81 years ago!

The camp application was a simple one page that asked only basic questions. Now our application is all online to make it quicker and easier for the campers, parents and camp staff.Have you noticed that zip codes are not included on this application? They weren’t needed back then. This application also only asks two questions about the campers’ health. What do you think about this application? Do you remember filling out a paper application similar to this one? We’d love to hear your stories!


Posted in Boys, News | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

The 2013 Tribal Leaders

Posted by matt

APACHE: ZACK AYERS

A.K.A. LC Sensible Stoat! He will be a senior at James Madison University and this is going to be his tenth summer at Camp Ridgecrest (count ’em)!  One of his favorite things about camp are the friendships you make – no matter where you are in life. He has big plans on teaching the Apache brethren how to be serious warriors for Christ and be the great, hairy chested me they truly are!

 

 

 

SHAWNEE: BRANDON DAVIS

Some call him Brandon, but around here he goes by Chief Intense Timberwolf. He comes all the way from Indiana where he is a Junior at The Indiana State Univeristy “Home of the Sycamores”. He is a full time student where he is studying to be an elementary school teacher. This will be his 12th year at camp… so the man knows camp. He is  pumped about the fact that strangers come to camp and grow together worshiping the same awesome God. Get ready folds, he already has big plans for SubWars and the crazy cool Shawnee Nation.

 

Choctaw: NATHAN BURKETT

Chief Riotous Orangutan is back as your Choctaw TL for this summer! He is a senior dawg at Mississippi State University, and this will be his 4th summer at camp. He has served as a Choctaw Counselor for two years and then Choctaw TL for one. This summer he will start up another Civil War on Choctaw Hill while other tribes stay jealous. However, he most excited to see Jesus begin transforming and keep transforming lives through the Holy Spirit’s work at camp. We are mighty! We are raw!

 

ARAPAHO: DEAN HELTON

This will be his 3rd summer at Camp Ridgecrest (although first as a TL). He has been a Choctaw Counselor for the past two summers, but this year he is changing it up! Right now, he is a senior at Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis Tennessee. Dean has made it one of his goals to take down the Sioux 4 out of 4 times in the Arapaho vs. Sioux Ultimate Frisbee game. How will the Araps fare? We shall see…

 

 

 

SIOUX TRAILBLAZERS: EP KELLER

Chief Temperate Rhino bringing up the rear from Greenville, South Carolina and graduate of the Clemson University (Go Tigers!). God has brought him back for a seventh summer at camp to keep blazing trails with the Sioux. His favorite thing about camp is how evident the presence of God is and can be witnessed in the many relationships and interactions between new and former campers and staffers. He plans on bringing his “A” game for the Sioux-Arap frisbee game and refuses to lose. This year’s games will definitely be some for the history books.


Posted in Boys, News | Tagged , , , , | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Rogers’ Retreat

Posted by anthologycreative

These pictures are taken from the 1960 brochure, camp’s 32nd season. Rogers’ used to be the campers’ lounge. It is the closest building to Lake Ridgecrest with an exceptional view! Rogers is a two story rock building with staff living quarters upstairs and a beautiful patio extending out to the lake. Downstairs there is a fireplace with chairs to relax. Campers can read, play chess or checkers, or use the prayer room for personal quiet meditation.

Now, Rogers’ Retreat is used as a staff lounge. A few of our female staffers live upstairs. Rogers’ is still the building with the best location – right on the lake. Campers are not allowed in Rogers’ Retreat except those campers being tapped out for the Little Chief test. The test starts with the charge being read in Rogers’ and staff gathering to give advice and pray for those Little Chief candidates.

Do you remember hanging out in Rogers’ when it was a camper lounge? Tell us your stories below! 


Posted in Boys, News | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: The Lodge

Posted by anthologycreative

Did you know that Camp Ridgecrest for Boys used to have a building called “The Lodge”? When most people hear “The Lodge” they think of Camp Crestridge. However, this picture in the 1932 brochure shows one of the most central buildings in camp at the time. The Lodge was an eight room house. As you can see it was a two story house that had great porches where you could stand and see most of the activities going on around camp. The camp offices, nurses station and canteen were all located in the Lodge.

Camp has spread out more since 1932 and we now have separate buildings for all three of those things. The offices are now located across from the lake in what we call the “Lake Lodge”. In 2009 a new infirmary was built to better serve our campers in a more central location. Our canteen building, the “Depot” is the old Ridgecrest train station. The Depot is now in the location similar to where the Lodge was in the picture.

Do you remember the Lodge? We love to hear your stories about camp in past years. Comment below to tell us!


Posted in Boys, News | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: Canoeing

Posted by anthologycreative

Campers have enjoyed canoeing for many years at Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. This picture is taken from the 1932 brochure. It shows four canoes racing down the French Broad River. Campers staying the entire camp season were given the opportunity to take a canoe trip. This trip was one of the high-lights of camp. It was a 60-mile overnight trip. The canoes and boys were transported by truck 30 miles from Asheville to their destination. The French Broad River where they were dropped off was not dangerous or deep but provided much excitement and thrills. The canoe trip also provided the boys with incomparable mountain scenery and a view of the Vanderbilt home and Biltmore Estate. Did you ever take a canoe trip with Camp Ridgecrest? Tell us about it below!


Posted in Boys, News | Tagged , , , | Leave a reply

Newer posts
Older posts