Camp Ridgecrest Double Zip

What’s better than one zip line? Two zip lines! Who would you like to conquer the new Camp Ridgecrest double zip line with? Comment below…

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Free Swim!!

Speedball. Zip-line. Glacier. Two-square. Disc Golf. Horseback. Target Sports. Blob. Canoes. Water Slide. Bouldering. The list goes on and on! Regardless of which activity you choose, Free Swim is such a fun part of the day. What is your go-to Free Swim activity? Comment below..

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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: More of Lake Ridgecrest

With Lake Ridgecrest being right in the middle of Camp, it’s fun to see how it has changed and how it remains the same. Below are a few more images that may spark good memories of your camp days. You can see the old swim area, that was ultimately replaced by a larger floating dock where the I-Dock once sat. The Zip line is still in place at the same tree that’s in this picture. And then the boats… you see canoes, plyaks, and even sail boats. Unfortunately, we never replaced the sail boats once they aged out. But we have replace many of the old plyaks with new kayaks. (By the way, the old plyaks are currently being auctioned off. Take home a peace of Camp History, and help our scholarship program at the same time. Email phil@ridgecrestcamps.com for more info!) We hope you enjoyed your time on Lake Ridgecrest, a place where we have seen sockwar skits, boys learn to swim, countless canoe skills, the Ironman begin, new toys like the Blob become highlights, and relationships formed on warm summer days at Camp! Share some of your favorite memories below…

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Retro Friday: Lake Ridgecrest

So it’s not a surprise that a lot about Lake Ridgecrest at Camp Ridgecrest has changed over the years. A variety of docks have been in multiple locations. We have had a dock near where Rogers is now. There was also the H-Dock where the Pavilion now sits. We had the I-Dock and the P-Dock. A wooden fence used to line part of the shore and wooden “stumps” were used almost all the way around the lake near the lake road. Below is even a picture of boys racing around the lake road. It looks as if they are standing where the entrance to our dock system now sits. Lots has changed. What do you remember? What do you see in these pictures that are different? What would you like to see a picture of?

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Camp Plyak Auction!

After last summer, camp received a monetary donation that allowed the Boy’s Camp to purchase new plyaks for summer 2011! We are proud to announce that camp received new kayaks to replace the boats that have been used for the past 20+ years. So, in order to make room for the new kayaks, Camp Ridgecrest will be auctioning off all of the remaining classic plyaks. These plyaks come AS IS, so along with your purchase of a piece of camp history, you get to take home: scratches from the boats being pulled ashore since the 70’s, small cracks made from plyaks being swamped in canoe skill, and, maybe, some GENUINE Lake Ridgecrest water! Ron will even load the kayak into your car (or he’ll just get an intern to do it). We will be accepting bids for the next month or so, and the top 10 bids will be the winners! So far, we have two bids in for $100 dollars each, so the competition for these kayaks is already well under way. The minimum bid is only $50, and all bids can be sent to rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com. All proceeds will be given to the tuition fund in order to help families pay to send their boys to Camp Ridgecrest. Bid early and bid often folks, and enter to own a piece of camp history!

Posted in News | Tagged camp auction, Camp Ridgecrest, Lake Ridgecrest, Ridgecrest Alumni, Ridgecrest Contest, Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Scholarships | Leave a reply

Retro Friday: House on the Middle Green

One of the first private homes in Ridgecrest, NC was located on the middle green at Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. The name of the house was Hon-O-Lulu Cottage, and sat where our New Infirmary currently sits. After the house was removed long ago, there was a horse riding ring, then there was a trampoline, and finally, the outdoor Arap Chapel was located there for many years. It was a few years ago that the New Infirmary was added. If you have any specific memories about any of the things that were located on this spot, then please share below! Does anyone know any details about the house in this picture? If you have similar pictures, please share them with us!

Posted in News | Tagged Camp Ridgecrest, Hon-a-lulu Cottacge, Lake Ridgecrest, Middle Green, Retro Friday, Ridgecrest Alumni, Ridgecrest Summer Camps | Leave a reply

LifeWay Trustees to Camp Ridgecrest

Camp Ridgecrest was honored to host the LifeWay trustees at camp a few days ago. The group was meeting at Ridgecrest Conference Center and made their way to the Camp Ridgecrest Pavilion for an evening picnic. Tours were given of both Camp Ridgecrest and Camp Crestridge. Trustees were seen walking around the lake with their wives enjoying the peaceful setting, relaxing in rocking chairs, and even talking business while overlooking Lake Ridgecrest. Overall, it was a beautiful evening in the mountains. We thank the trustees for everything they do for LifeWay and Ridgecrest Summer Camps!

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“The Aqua Log” – New to Lake Ridgecrest!

So, we’ve added something new to our waterfront here at Camp Ridgecrest. Right now we are colling it the Aqua Log. So far it’s been a huge success. It’s a blast to try and even just to watch. Here is a sneak peak….

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