Truck Loads of Gold Found at Camp Ridgecrest

Gold Rush is one of their favorite games we play here at Camp Ridgecrest! It may look like the famous Sockwar, but it’s quite different. There are 3 teams for Gold Rush, and the object is to collect as much Gold hidden all around camp as possible and take it safely to the bank. You can also get points for hitting members of  a different team with your sock that is filled with sawdust. Plus, you want to gain control of as many bases around camp as possible. Lots of ways to get points, lots of ways to help your team, and lots of ways to have fun! All this, plus our staff dressed up like they lived in the Wild West, makes for quite a game. Check out this short clip of your campers playing Gold Rush!

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Put Your Faith Into Action

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME you told someone you loved him or her? Did your actions demonstrate your love? What was the evidence of that love in your life?

Let’s really get to the heart of the matter: when was the last time you told someone you were a Christian? Was there evidence in your life to prove it?

Read James 2:14-17. Look closely at verse 14.

What question did James ask in verse 14?

What does that question mean? If he were asking you, how would you answer?

Read verses 15 and 16. What question was James asking in these verses?

How would you respond if you saw a person who was hungry?

What does it mean to say that faith without action is dead?

What is the relationship between faith and works, according to these verses?

Using James’ standard, would you describe your faith as alive or dead? Explain.

This passage in James explains that a faith without actions is a dead faith. James wasn’t saying that it’s your works or the good things you do that ensure your salvation. Salvation comes through your relationship with Jesus. As Paul said, salvation comes through Christ alone. James’ point is that we are saved by faith, but action flows from that faith.

If you’re a believer and your life doesn’t reflect obedience to Christ and involvement in His work, then you’re not fulfilling Jesus’ true purpose for your life.  Telling someone “God loves you,” “God bless you,” or “I’ll pray for you” will not put food in their stomachs. The faith we profess means nothing if we don’t actually live it out.

God’s call on all our lives is to demonstrate His love by our actions—to the poor and needy and all those around us. Look around you. Where is a need? What can you do to help?

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotions, James, Weekly Devotion | Leave a reply

3 of Their Favorite Things

So for the past few days, campers at Camp Ridgecrest have had the chance to experience some pretty incredible activities. Saturday morning started off with a Sockwar – perhaps the most popular activity at camp. That evening Crestridge came over for Carnival…where we bring the carnival to camp! We have about 10  rides, snow cones, cotton candy, a dunking booth, tons of games, food, and more. As if that wasn’t enough, Sunday night rounded out the weekend with Council Ring. This is a special time where campers get to do something that they can’t experience anywhere else. Check out this video to see what I’m talking about…

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Don’t Just Talk

SHE DREAMED OF PLAYING the piano all her life. She bought the books and signed up for the lessons. For the first six months she did great. She practiced faithfully every day. But little by little, she stopped practicing. Eventually, she quit.

Think about a time when you wanted something, but eventually gave up on it. What did you learn?

Read James 1:22-25. Read verse 22 aloud.

What does James 1:22 say we do if we merely listen to the Word? Why is that important?

What analogy did James make in verses 23-24? What does that have to do with hearing God’s Word but not doing what it says?

What is the promise in verse 25?

Why is it not enough to simply know what Scripture says? Why is action so important?

The problem James was addressing was negligence. You can be negligent when you have responsibility but aren’t willing to put in the work to accomplish it.

It is equally not enough to simply say you believe in God’s laws. If you don’t actually obey them, your life says you don’t believe they’re valid. You can tell the whole world you love God, but if your life doesn’t demonstrate that love, then your words are worthless. Do you care for the widow, orphan, or neighbor down the street? This is the heart of God’s Word. Don’t just talk the talk; live your faith!

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What happens when you give kids well over 13,000 water balloons?

So, water balloons aren’t a new thing. But what happens when you give a group of kids well over 13,000 water balloons. After the game was finished, our second count of balloons estimated closer to 15,000 water balloons….all for one game here at Camp Ridgecrest! I guarantee that this is a game that they won’t experience anywhere else… Check out this short video of the game we call Guerilla Warfare.

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Humble Yourself Before The Lord

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL? Is there a person in your life whom you greatly admire or respect? Think about those people you would put at the top of your list of people you look up to. Perhaps it’s your counselor or another staff person. Why do you value them so highly? What qualities or characteristics do they possess that propel them to the top of your list?

Read Isaiah 66:1-2 and focus on verse 2b.
According to this passage, what belongs to God?
Who did God say made “all these things?”
Why is it important to recognize God as the Creator in control of this world?

What are some ways you recognize God as Creator? What are some things in your life you need to let Him have control over?
According to verse 2, what does God value in a person?

Think about your life. Would you make God’s list of people He looks favorably on based on these criteria? Why or why not?
What does it mean to be humble and submissive?
Do these words describe you? Explain.

Remember that list of people you look up to that you made earlier? Think about the characteristics and qualities you said you valued in those people. Now, understand from today’s Scripture passage that God also has qualities and characteristics He wants people to possess. And when we possess those characteristics, His Word says He looks upon us favorably. But what He values in us isn’t anything we can achieve through wealth, success, or popularity. God wants humility and submissiveness. God simply values a humble and broken spirit, a believer who isn’t proud but rather understands his or her limitations and allows God to work. God calls us to surrender to Him—to allow Him into our lives, give Him control, trust Him, and yield to Him, letting Him work in and through our lives. Are you the kind of person God desires you to be?

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotion, Isaiah, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

The Secret to Saturdays

Another action packed day here at Camp Ridgecrest. What’s the secret to an awesome day at camp? 1) Do something that they can’t do anywhere else 2) Surprise them…especially those kids who think that have you figured out 3) Make them laugh 4) Let them do it along side young adults that will love them no matter what they do….not a bad way to spend a summer day in the mountains…

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This Is The Life

EVERY GOOD WESTERN MOVIE ends with a showdown. A showdown is when the hero of the story confronts his or her opponent to settle a serious conflict. In the movies, the hero always comes out victorious over his enemy and defeats evil.

We all have conflict in our lives. It’s called sin. Some people try to hide or run away from their troubles. Is that you? It’s time to stop running. It’s time for a showdown.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:2-28. What do verses 21 and 22 mean to you?

How did sin and death enter the world?

Who saves us from sin and death?

What can you learn about Jesus in these verses?

Why is Jesus’ resurrection so important to us? To you personally?

Have you asked Jesus to save you from the sin in your life? Explain.

What sins are you battling today?

What conflicts are in your life?

Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to understand how important Jesus’ resurrection was to their faith. Without it, he said their faith was worthless. Christianity is pointless if Jesus isn’t alive and at the right hand of God. It is His death and His resurrection that give us victory over sin.

Because Jesus was victorious over sin and death, you can be, too. You can have the freedom not to be restrained, bound, or trapped by your sin. Will you choose to follow Jesus who gave His life and rose again to give you life, or will you follow a world full of sin and death?

It’s up to you. It’s high noon. What is your choice?

Posted in Boys, Devotions | Tagged 1 Corinthians, Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Devotion, Weekly Devotions | Leave a reply

Gold Rush – How to enjoy a perfect summer evening

Enjoying a perfect summer day here at Camp Ridgecrest is easy with some of the best camp-wide games ever created. Another camper favorite, “Gold Rush” has been around Camp Ridgecrest for years. See a few of the game highlights here!

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