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!


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What Could Happen If…

Posted by anthologycreative

What could happen if . . .
➤ you break your curfew?
➤ you don’t study for the big test?
➤ you talk during council ring?

In our society, and at camp, there are rules and laws set up to protect us from danger, injury, or pain. We can choose to obey them or ignore them, but there will be consequences.

Read Jeremiah 38:19-23.

What were the choices Jeremiah presented to King Zedekiah?

What were the consequences of each of those choices?

How do you face similar opportunities to obey or disobey God every day? What opportunities have you had today?

Do you think that as Christians, we’re still called to proclaim a similar message when we share the gospel? Why or why not?

The Point
Like King Zedekiah, every person will face a simple choice in their lives: surrender to Christ and gain eternal life, or rebel against Him and face eternity in hell.

Take Action
Have you responded to the gospel? If you have not given Christ control of your life, you are not a Christian and do not have eternal life. Read “Do you really know God?” on page 4 for more information on how to become a Christian.

If you are a Christian, who in your life needs to know about the hope the gospel provides? What steps will you take this week to be God’s ambassador to those who need to hear God’s message of forgiveness?

Going Deeper

Explore the passages below for other models of sharing the gospel:
– Acts 17:16-34
– Colossians 4:5-6
– 1 Peter 3:15

“One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.”

—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Behind the Story
Surrender is an interesting word. In Zedekiah’s case, to surrender to the Babylonians was a sign of humility. It would have been a sign of remorse and repentance. If Zedekiah surrendered it would be as if he were admitting on behalf of the entire nation that they had sinned against God and deserved the punishment.

When you surrender your life to Christ, you admit much the same thing. To surrender your life to Jesus is to admit you are a sinner, that only Jesus can save you, and to give Him absolute control of your life.


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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!


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Be Bold!

Posted by anthologycreative

A superhero, police officer, and an army ranger. What do all three have in common?

The answer? All three display great courage and boldness. In the movies, superheroes courageously do what everyone else is scared to do. The Army Rangers are elite members of the U.S. Army who have displayed great courage and boldness. Police officers often face difficult situations in which they have to be daring, valiant, and brave.

As Christians, courage and boldness should also be traits in our lives. Read Jeremiah 38:14-18 to learn more. Ask yourself:

How did Jeremiah exhibit courage and boldness in this passage?

What would you have done or said if you had been Jeremiah? Why?

Jeremiah must have felt like he was in a “no-win” situation. When you’ve been in “no-win” situations that called for you to be bold about your faith, what did you do? Why? What did you learn?

Journal
It’s easy to say that you’ll be bold for Christ when you’re not in the middle of a “no-win” situation. But Jeremiah proved his trust in God was more than just talk—and when he faced a scary situation, he delivered a message that could probably lead to his execution. Take some time to process that today. In what areas of your life could you use a little more boldness or courage to stand up for Christ? As you think or pray over that, jot down your thoughts and prayers in your journal. Express your fears, concerns, and desire to boldly follow Christ.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
—Winston Churchill

BOLD— adjective
– (of a person, action, or idea) showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous
– (of a color or design) having a strong or vivid appearance

COURAGE— noun
– the ability to do something that frightens one
– strength in the face of pain or grief


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Retro Friday: Swimming Pool

Posted by anthologycreative

Did you know that Camp Ridgecrest for Boys used to have a swimming pool? This picture was taken from the 1933 camp brochure. As you can imagine, the swimming pool was a very popular place at camp. The schedule in 1933 was very similar to the schedule at camp now. The boys were given time twice a day for swimming. This picture shows a concrete swimming pool which was fed from the lake. The pool was a place for testing boys that learned to swim before camp and for teaching beginners. The campers were not allowed to swim in the lake until they had passed a rigorous test in the swimming pool first. Today this area is known as Apache circle. The cabin shown in the picture is cabin 1. Do any of you remember the swimming pool at camp? Comment below and tell us your stories!


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Encourager

Posted by anthologycreative

Who’s the most encouraging person in your life? You know, the one who reminds you of what’s really important. The one who lifts you up, prays for you, and sticks by you when you’re suffering or life is just hard. Jot down the first few names that come to mind.

Read Jeremiah 38:7-13. Think through these questions:

In these verses, who stood up for Jeremiah?

Do you think it took courage for Ebed-Melech to stand up for Jeremiah? Why or why not? What risks might he have undertaken in order to help Jeremiah?

Think about a time when you’ve felt defeated or abandoned. Who stood up for you?

Being abandoned at the bottom of a cistern was probably a spiritual low point for Jeremiah. What has been your spiritual low point? Who encouraged you in your faith during that time? What did you learn?

The Point
As a Christian, you don’t have to handle opposition or tough times on your own. In times of trial and suffering, God will provide people, His Word, and His presence to encourage you and lift you up, just like He did for Jeremiah.

Take Action
Look at that list of encouragers you created earlier. Over the next few weeks, find a way to express your appreciation to those people. Write them a Facebook message, send a note, or call them up. Just express your thanks for how they have encouraged you in your faith.

 
Maybe you’re not the one who’s discouraged or going through a tough time. Who do you know who needs an “Ebed-Melech” in his or her life? What steps will you take to encourage that person this week?


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Safari in North Carolina?

Posted by matt

Thats right- a safari. When we think safari we think wild beast roaming their natural habitat, free to do as they please. We think of images people only see in magazines. We think of hundreds of creatures joining together at the water hole for a cool down dip. So yeah, I’d say a tour around Camp Ridgecrest qualifies as a safari.

 

http://vimeo.com/47217019


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Retro Friday: Fidelis Hall

Posted by anthologycreative

Fidelis Hall, better known as the “Shack” served Camp Ridgecrest for Boys well for many years. It was already on the property, being used by the Conference Center, when Camp Ridgecrest for Boys was started. Prior to 1942, when Spilman Lodge was built, the Shack was the camp’s only indoor recreation center. After Spilman was built for a dining hall, the Shack was used as staff meetings, indoor games, boxing, wrestling, gymnastics and the Sunday worship services. A movie screen rolled down from the ceiling at one end of the hall to make an ideal camp theater. This building was centrally located at the time. Now, this building would be located below the tennis courts on the grassy area by the barn, near the front gate. This picture was taken from the 1960 brochure of Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. The “green” outside the hall and surrounding the flagpole served as the site for Retreat and flag-lowering ceremonies each day at dusk. Do you remember the Shack? Comment below and tell us your stories!


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Cabin Updates!

Posted by matt

 

Well, it has been a while since we last discussed the progress of the cabins. A lot has be done to say the least. The Arapaho cabins have been gutted, studded and have now budded into great looking cabins. The interior has been revamped and the porches are updated and roofed. They are looking real nice about now. We went with a wooded brown with scarlet red trim to compliment as the Apache cabins inverse. Take a look for yourself at the brand spanking new cabins!

 


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Honest

Posted by anthologycreative

“There is always a way to be honest without being brutal.”

—Arthur Dobrin

JOURNAL
Think about that quote as you read Jeremiah 38:1-3 in your Bible. Jeremiah had to deliver God’s word to the people and what he had to say wasn’t pleasant. Even though his job was difficult and his message was hard to deliver, Jeremiah didn’t let it stop him from speaking the truth. He knew it was more important to obey God than craft lies that would make the people happy. How is God calling you to speak or live out His truth even though it’s hard and won’t be popular? Spend some time thinking, praying, and writing about it in your journal.

 

TAKE ACTION
Is there someone in your life who God is calling you to speak His truth to? Who? What steps will you take to do so this week.

 
How you speak the truth of God matters. Read Ephesians 4:11-15. How can you “speak the truth in love” to others? Also, check out Galatians 6:1. How can you restore others “with a gentle spirit”?


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