Are you getting excited about this summer yet? It won’t be long till we have campers at camp again! We’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about our theme for this summer. We have finally made a decision and it is “The Well”. The theme verse is John 7:38, “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” NLT
We are currently trying to think of a design for our theme. We are having a little trouble so we’d like your help! From now until Friday, February 17th, we will be accepting submissions for the potential theme design. The person who submits the best design will win $50 to our clothing store this summer. We may even put that design on our theme shirt! You can send submissions to rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com. Submissions can be drawn by hand, designed on a computer, etc.
Are you getting excited about this summer yet? It won’t be long till we have campers at camp again! We’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about our theme for this summer. We have finally made a decision and it is “The Well”. The theme verse is John 7:38, “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” NLT
We are currently trying to think of a design for our theme. We are having a little trouble so we’d like your help! From now until Friday, February 17th, we will be accepting submissions for the potential theme design. The person who submits the best design will win $50 to our clothing store this summer. We may even put that design on our theme shirt! You can send submissions to rscamps@ridgecrestcamps.com. Submissions can be drawn by hand, designed on a computer, etc.
And so it continues….Miniature tanks. The game that no one can really figure out. The game that for some reason we find entertaining. The game that gives the participants a reason to crawl on their hands and knees. The game that has been played on grass, slip ‘n’ slide, wood decks, and other surfaces. The game that makes participants look, honestly, quite funny. The game that provides on-lookers a humorous picture. This game is all of these things, and yet it lives on. Bring on Summer 2012!
Boys learn a lot of things here at Camp Ridgecrest. One of those things is how to properly administer a “high five.” Thanks to the friends of camp, “Trip and Tyler” for this hilarious idea!
At Ridgecrest Summer Camps, we want to do our best to help you excel through the challenges of parenthood. As we think of you when Camp’s gates aren’t open, we know that you are fielding the “follow up” questions from the summer. So, we want to try to equip you the best we can.
I’m sure that arguments never occur in your household. But just in case they do, here are a few questions to spark good discussion with you kids.
For Preschoolers
What is an argument?
If a friend wants to play a game you don’t like, what would be the nice thing to do?
How can you love somebody when they might be mad at you?
For Children
Do you remember your last argument with a friend or family member?
How did it end?
What can you do to still be nice to someone when you disagree?
Would you let somebody have their way over something you disagreed about (give an example)?
For Students
When do disagreements begin?
How do disagreements go wrong?
What is most difficult about being the peacemaker?
As a Christian, why should you try to make peace?
I hope your conversations are fruitful. If you get any exceptional responses, please feel free to share then here…
This blog actually isn’t about MY favorite things, necessarily, though I do enjoy many of the activities mentioned! Here are what some of our 2011 starter camp campers and staff said their favorite things were….It seemed like waterfront activities seemed to win out in this clip! What are some of your favorite things?
Did you know that we had go-karts in camp a long time ago? For a couple years, you could ride the go-karts as a skill. The track was located in the riding ring by the barn. How fun would that be! You wouldn’t have to go to Fun Depot anymore if you wanted to ride the go-karts! If you had a chance to ride the go-karts at Crestridge, we’d love to hear some stories!
Since the last update on the Beehive, things are still moving along quite nicely! We have had some rainy days, which doesn’t help the workers out a whole lot, but we have also had some beautiful days, too. I’m sure they are enjoying the warmer temperatures we have been having this week, though! Since our last construction blog, quite a bit has happened. The porch and railings are finished that surround the building. They have also finished putting the green metal roof on – and it looks great! The steps and the ramp up to the porch have been built, as well as the steps up to what will be the Crestridge Museum. The windows and doors have also been installed and look good! Currently the electrician is working inside so we can have some power in The Beehive. Things are going well. We are excited for everyone to see it in person, but until then, hopefully these pictures will give you an idea of what it’s looking like!
For more pictures of the Beehive construction, check our Facebook page.
Most parents want their teens to have some freedom. But in today’s world, some freedoms can be unhealthy, harmful, and even dangerous. Without a doubt, parents need to establish proper boundaries for their teens. And, at the same time, kids want and actually need some privacy. So how can you balance independence with your parental right to invade their space?
Here are some facts about today’s teens that can serve as foundational points:
If your son is on a computer without an Internet filter to block porn sites, he’s probably “taking a peek” at sexual Web sites. Guys are wired that way because God created males to be visual creatures.
Teens are curious. They naturally want to know about things their parents consider unacceptable. In some cases, telling them not to do something may actually be taken as a dare.
Media exposes girls to various morals, cultural messages, and lifestyles. Images and sexual ideas that were once taboo are now perfectly acceptable in a secular world.
Adolescents get mixed messages as they process what the church says, what their parents say, and what the media says. They long to fit in socially with their friends, which adds to their confusion.
Early adolescence is a time of concrete thinking. Acting on impulse is the norm, and little thought goes into evaluating consequences. Media reports highlight many of the problems and dangers teens (and parents) might face.
So, how far is too far when it comes to spying on your teenagers’ habits? How can you know the difference between “what you need to know” and when to give your kid more space? Here are some basic guidelines:
Follow your instincts. If you suspect something’s wrong, you are usually right. Even if you are wrong, it’s always best to err on the side of safety. In addition to Internet issues, this would include cell phone usage and searching rooms or personal items.
It is important to have a good handle on the Internet-even if there are no signs of a problem. Parents should know all their teens’ passwords and should monitor their social networking randomly. If they show a lack of responsibility, take them off all networks for a month or so.
Insist that you be added as a “friend” so you can view their status, the language they use, and the pictures they post. Again, if they show a lack of maturity, do not pay for their Internet access.
Invest in good Internet filtering/blocking software for the computer. Make sure the computer is in a common room with the screen visible from different angles.
Occasionally, view their browser history. Do your homework by becoming savvy regarding all the computer commands, networks, and Web sites that you allow your teen to use.
Let your teens know you are on their side. You want to let them have some privacy, but God has entrusted their safety to you. Say something like, “I really don’t want to control you. I truly want to trust you, but you have to show me that I can trust you.”
Someone has said that parents spend too much time “correcting and too little time connecting” with their kids. Be intentional about giving affirmation and encouragement for every correction.
Bite your tongue when you’re tempted to lecture and learn to listen a little better. You can learn about their world best by listening more than talking. Plus, taking time out to be with them says, “You are important in my life, and I enjoy being with you.”
Finally, if you sense that your teen’s actions might be out of control, seek help. Consult a trusted pastor, a professional Christian counselor, or an0ther community resource. Often God speaks through sermons, through His Word, through a youth pastor, or other godly adults. Don’t hesitate to get an assessment of your situation. When necessary, consult a doctor who specializes in adolescents because God also can work through doctors and medication.
Above all, pray for guidance and direction in choosing the best help for your teen. Hopefully you will find a good balance regarding privacy and healthy parental “snooping” so you can lead your teen toward a healthier future.
We need your help! We are currently looking at clothing options for the store this summer. Instead of just choosing what we think looks good, we want to hear your thoughts. So, we have a 5 question survey for you. Please help us out by clicking on the following link to see some designs and choose what you like best!
