Retro Friday: The Look

So when you look at pictures from Camp Ridgecrest today compared to pictures from the 30’s or 40’s, there is quite a difference. Sure, there are less action shots and more staged pictures. You see less smiles, and almost never see anyone making a goofy face. The clothing is very different.  In the older pictures white tends to be the dominant color. But when you look deeper in the piles of pictures…when you find the one’s that didn’t go to print in the magazines or brochures…you find faces and settings that look more familiar. You can find boys playing in the woods with their shirts off on a hot summer day. You can find a group of college aged counselors cooling off in the canteen over a cold drink, sharing stories from their campouts. You might find lines wrapping the 4 square courts just like they will this summer. Some of those old pictures look like they are in a different world. But some of them look like they could have been taken last summer. Camp has definitely changed over the years, but some things about this place will always stay the same.

Here are a few pictures that you won’t be able to replicate this summer. But man, it’s really cool to look back and wonder what it would have been like to serve the Lord here  a long time ago…

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Retro Friday: Load em up!

Perhaps the fastest way to transport a group of boys to the river, or another lake would be on the back of a flt bed truck. This mode of transportation wouldn’t exactly fly these days at Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. But it is neat to look back at the truck loads of kids having a blast at camp! Below is an old flat bed truck that camp used to tow canoes and tote people. Does anyone remember this truck, or one like it? We still have an old flat bed we use for maintenance etc. Below is also a picture of some canoes on a trailer, being pulled by the same old truck. Did these canoes stay close to Ridgecrest, or were they taken down the french broad river? If you remember a trip like this one, comment below and tell us about it.

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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!

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Retro Friday: Canteen Moves In

Many of us know the story of how the current Camp Ridgecrest Canteen was moved across Yates Ave from where is originally set as the Train Depot for Ridgecrest. Camp Ridgecrest paid a total of $1 for that building. But I’ve heard it cost a lot more to have it moved (seen below).

Yes, campers at one time simply boarded a train, saying good-bye to their parents, and began their journey to camp. It’s pretty cool to stand in this building and try to imagine the years of people who passed through the same doors, and walked on the same floors.  One of my favorite parts of the canteen is the door that we currently use as the main entrance (not in the picture below). There is at least a 2 inch dent in the floor right at that door from the years of excited campers stomping through on their way to buy a train ticket to camp, or just an RC Cola or a Cheerwine after lunch…

What are your favorite memories of the Camp Ridgecrest Canteen or the old Train Depot? Do you know any other details that you’d like to share?

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Retro Friday: Lakeside and Inspection

So Lakeside Chapel at Camp Ridgecrest may have a few more benches these days, but it is still the same peaceful place to hear from your counselors about the Lord. I’ve heard campers say how God has changed their life, and I’ve heard staff share their life stories with campers eagerly listening… And then there is Inspection. It’s changed a bit throughout the years, but not much. One might say that it’s a bit more relaxed these days. But overall, campers still work hard to get the lowest score possible in their Tribe. do you have any great memories from Lake Side Chapel or from Inspection in your cabin? Share them here….

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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!

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Retro Friday: Before The Lake Lodge

Years before the Lake Lodge existed, Camp was already going strong. Some of our great traditions were already in place, and great numbers of boy’s lives were being changed. One of the greatest differences was that the “camp center” wasn’t up by the Lake and the Lake Lodge with 4 square courts. A lot of the action around Camp Ridgecrest was located almost where the horse stables are today.

Notice in the picture below that the boys gathered at attention outside a building we don’t have anymore. In the 2nd picture, we see campers and staff eating in an unfamiliar building. This structure was called Fidelis Lodge. Looking back at the old aerial photo, you can see it near the tennis courts (below and to the left). I’m not sure when this building stopped housing meals and when Spilman Lodge became the Dining Hall for camp. If you know any of these details, share them with us. What else happened in Fidelis Lodge? In the mean time, check out these older pics. What else do you see that is different about camp in these photos?

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Retro Friday: Spilman Lodge and Morning Exercises

One of the things I love the most about camp is that some things seem to always stay the same. Well, almost the same. We have made some minor modification and improvements throughout the years, but we try to hold onto the tradition that has made so many experiences life changing. We have generations within some families that have all experienced a cool morning at Camp Ridgecrest doing a “morning exercise.” Granted, one generation was doing jumping jacks, while the next generation is doing finger push-ups.

Then we have an old picture of Spilman Lodge from about 1948. You can see the original cabins located behind Spilman Lodge on the right of the picture. And you can see part of “The Green House” on the far right (looks white). Originally B.W. Spilman’s Home, it became the camp office, with additional housing and even a barber shop. The Canteen now sits where The Green House once sat.

Also, it’s interesting that the Spilman Lodge picture has a one way street  sign, pointing down hill. This is now the main entrance into Camp Ridgecrest!

If you know any additional info about these pictures or the buildings in them, please comment below!

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