Retro Friday: Ridgecrest and Crestridge

Posted by Karah

Over the last fifteen to twenty years, Camp Ridgecrest and Camp Crestridge have partnered in more and more activities as an entire camp. Current campers and recent alumni have become accustomed to soirees like carnival, midnight skating, and messy games. Typically there is a meeting between the boys and girls on more than one occasion. But did you know that in the early years of Ridgecrest and Crestridge the camps did not get together hardly at all? It was a much bigger “to-do” for the camps to interact. These pictures were found in a file from 1957 and 1958, and show one such occasion where the girls came over to the boys camp. From these pictures you can see that the girls rode over in the back of a truck to enjoy watermelon on the middle green with the boys. Compared to today, what are some differences and similarities you note in these pictures? What’s your favorite activity that the boys and girls do together? Comment below!

10-23-1510-23-15 (4)10-23-15 (3)10-23-15 (2)


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Retro Friday: Ropes Course

Posted by Karah

Ridgecrest Summer Camps continue to grow each year, and with that growth comes new and exciting activities. One of the additions being made to camp this year is a new high ropes course! This high ropes course will be shared with Camp Crestridge, giving both boys and girls camp the opportunity for more outdoor adventure programming. More details about the course will be coming soon! For now, check out these pictures of some team building happening on the ropes course in the late 1970’s. See anyone you know? Which of the ropes course activities have been your favorite? Comment below!

Ropes course 1

Ropes course 2

Ropes course 3


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Retro Friday: Photography

Posted by Karah

Over the last decade, we here at Camp Ridgecrest have taken full advantage of technological advancement.  It helps our leadership and staff keep in touch with campers, parents, and alumni in ways that were not possible 50 years ago. Since photography and video have been important to us for a long time, we have really enjoyed the advancements made in those areas. Aerial footage of the camp has quickly become a popular way to keep our camp family involved in all that goes on during the summer and the off season.

Camp’s leadership felt the same way about photography in the 1960’s. It was used as much as possible to document the growth and improvements made to Camp Ridgecrest. Sounds familiar, right? Check out these aerial shots of the camp. Can you find the differences compared to what the aerial footage might show today? Comment below!

Aerial view 1

Aerial view 3


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Retro Friday: Staff Picture

Posted by Karah

In honor of staff and SALT applications opening this week, here’s a look back at some of the staff in the 1970’s! This picture was taken of the Camp Ridgecrest for Boys staff in 1973. See anyone you recognize? Comment below!

Staff 1973(2)


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Retro Friday: “My Son Goes to Camp”

Posted by Karah

“My Son Goes to Camp” by Ethel Romig Fuller. Written in a 1954 Camp Ridgecrest brochure.


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Retro Friday: Daily Schedule

Posted by Karah

Most campers and staff could probably give a summary of the day to day schedule at Camp Ridgecrest. New and exciting things are always happening at camp, but Ridgecrest is known for a few of its staple daily activities. Meal times, morning watch, and skills are just an example of some of the things that have a set time at camp each day. With the exception of trips and camp outs, the schedule remains the same year to year.

Have you ever wondered if the daily schedule has always been the same? A 1943 brochure for Camp Ridgecrest for Boys includes a typical daily schedule for that time period. Skills were held in the morning and the afternoon, first aid and life saving classes were offered, and there was even a nighttime cabin inspection! Do you see any similarities between this and the current daily schedule? Do any of you remember when the daily schedule looked more like this one? Comment below and tell us about it!


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Retro Friday: Honor Cabin

Posted by anthologycreative

Retro Fridays are back! This summer was no different than the rest: full of fun and lives were changed.

I’m sure many of you know that each session we give out an award for the cabin that stood out among the rest. This Honor Cabin award comes in the form of a certificate. However, back in the 50’s you’d see a plaque like this one hanging outside the cabin door. This plaque is from cabin __. It was returned to us earlier this week! The back of it has everyone’s signature in the cabin.

We love to see pictures or actual pieces of Camp Ridgecrest history. Do you remember when camp had this kind of Honor Cabin award? Comment below and tell us your memories!


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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!


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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!


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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!


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