MONTHLY ARCHIVES: April 2011

Retro Friday: More of Lake Ridgecrest

Posted by phil

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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Your Response Says Something About God.

Posted by anthologycreative

After George Muller had watched God miraculously provide specific buildings to use as an orphanage, he received a letter from a neighbor listing several complaints against the orphanage. George was confused. Should he ignore the letter? Should he apologize? Should he remind the man of the amazing ways God had provided these very buildings? He did not know what to do. How do you respond when someone complains about you?

Read 1 Peter 3:16-17. Focus on verse 16.

Some people think that if they’re going to be unjustly accused, they might as well do the deed they’re being accused of, so they can at least enjoy the wrong for which they’re being punished. What do you think?

What do these verses say about that philosophy?

According to these verses, what are we to do with gentleness and respect?

What are the alternatives to defending your faith with gentleness and respect?

What accusations might come against a Christian who defends the faith?

What do you think it takes to keep your conscience clear? Explain.

What is one thing that tends to keep you from having a clear conscience?

If someone were making an accusation against you, what would he or she say? Why?

What is your attitude toward people who complain about you?

After George Muller received his complaint letter, he realized his neighbor’s complaints were justified, and he actually moved the orphanage to another location. He understood that the way we respond to the complaints of others represents Christ to them. Who has complaints against you today? Are they valid? Prayerfully consider how you should respond when others complain, argue, or pick fights with you.

However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. —1 Peter 3:16

Adapted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.


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Retro Friday: Tribe Calendars

Posted by phil

So throughout the years, the Tribal Leaders here at Camp Ridgecrest have used various means to stay organized. Now-a-days we usually use computers and calendars that link together etc… All of the calendars for the past few years are stored on my computer, to access anytime we want.  However, calendars haven’t always been a boring black and white computer screen. This particular calendar is from Steve Cothran, when he was the TL for the Mighty Arapaho Tribe. It’s fun to see some of the activities that are still done today! And it’s cool to see some of the things that we no longer do. What on this list did you do as a camper, and what have you never heard of before? If you could think back to your camper days, what was your most favorite planned activity…ever?


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Be Prepared

Posted by anthologycreative

Read 1 Peter 3:13-15.

Kamryn knew all the Bible answers to any question. She was invincible in any religious debate until she met Nick, an extremely vocal atheist. Determined to win him over, she immediately began slinging Scriptures his way. Not fazed, he calmly quipped, “I don’t believe in the Bible. What else ya got?”

Kamryn wasn’t ready to give a defense of her faith. She’d memorized the verses and answers she’d been told she should know, but she didn’t know what she believed well enough to explain it any other way.

Knowing the Word of God is huge, but we’ve also got to be able to think and speak outside of the box when defending our faith. God can and will give us the right words to say in each situation, but He also wants us to be prepared to defend our faith with words and actions that people unfamiliar with the Bible will understand.

That’s exactly what Jesus did. He quoted the Old Testament prophets to people who would understand them, but He also spoke in parables, using common, everyday themes that non-religious people would understand. He explained truth in such creative, unique ways that people who never darkened the door of the synagogue came looking for Him. They drank in His words. Not only did they understand Him, they believed Him. Will you be ready to defend your faith and make God’s truths clear to anyone who asks?

But honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. —1 Peter 3:15

Adapted from ec magazine. © 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.


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Retro Friday: Riflery Skill

Posted by phil

I feel like a staple of Camp has always been learning to shoot a .22 Rifle. For a very long time, we have been teaching boys to safely and accurately shoot rifles here at Camp Ridgecrest. The rifles have changed a bit. As far as I know, they have always been a .22; does anyone remember differently? And the Riflery Range has changed a few times as well. But one thing will probably never  change. Boys love to learn how to safely shoot rifles. They love to hit the target, to hit the bulls-eye, and to get better with each lesson. Camp Ridgecrest Riflery Skill was my first opportunity to learn the proper technique of how to shoot. What about you? Tell us below what you remember…


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God Doesn’t Leave

Posted by anthologycreative

The little girl stood crying for her father. She pleaded with him to come to her, but he never looked back. He walked out of her life . . . forever. I was 3 years old when that happened. My father had abandoned me.

Have you faced a similar situation? Have you ever felt hopeless or alone? Life can be hard. In fact, it’s a guarantee that at some point, you will experience crisis. The ultimate question is: How will you react?

Read Isaiah 43:1-7. Meditate on verse 2.

Why are these verses comforting?

What do these verses teach you about how God feels about you?

Which verse speaks to you most? Explain.

What do these verses teach you about God’s involvement in your life?

When you feel alone or abandoned as a result of events in life, do you cling to the promises of God? Why or why not?

No matter what is thrown at you in life, you can overcome. You must have faith and believe that regardless of what is going on or where it will lead, God will always be with you. Embrace the passage you studied today and live a life of victory. Learn, as I did, that though people may leave you, God will never abandon you. It is a promise He has given us, and God keeps His promises.

Deuteronomy 31:6 states that He will not leave you or forsake you. Know that no matter what the situation, no matter how intense the crisis is in your life, God IS there. He is always there. Give all of your fears, worries, and concerns over to Him. He can handle it! And more than that, He wants to. Whatever you face, wherever you go, God will be with you.

“I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.” —Isaiah 43:2


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Retro Friday: Load em up!

Posted by phil

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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Kickback: The Best Blobs of 2008

Posted by phil

Receiving more that 12,600 views on YouTube, here at The Best Blobs from 2008. Do you see a younger version of yourself here? Get warmed up, Camp is right around the corner…. See you soon…


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Adding a Little Character

Posted by phil

So Marty has been busy around camp covering some not so attractive areas with a little character. We have had concrete cylinders covering some wells on the Upper Green for many years.  We’ve also had some plywood covers for  water cut-offs for a long time.  This Spring, we wanted to cover these areas with something new. Here are a few pictures…

The first is on the side of the New Infirmary. This addition simply covered a plywood door leading to the crawl space under the building. Next is the back side of Roger’s Retreat. In the fall we added a flower bed that you can see outlined by rocks; it may be hard to notice the shrubs…there are about 10. The barn looking building is covering the hole in in which the water cut offs for Rogers are housed… hopefully adding a little character to the lake road. Next you can see one of the new Well Covers on the Upper Green. Expect to see more similar structures around camp before the summer…


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Get Up

Posted by anthologycreative

Your grandma’s death. Finding out your crush likes someone else. When your dad lost his job. You didn’t get tapped out for Little Chief. Think about the last crisis in your life that caused you to shut down. How did you respond? Why doesn’t life stop just because something bad happens?

Zone in on verse 7 as you read 2 Samuel 19:5-8.

Why was David grieving?

How was David behaving toward his people?

What was wrong with David’s behavior?

What strong words did Joab offer?

What was David’s response?

When faced with life’s tragedies, do you shut down or choose to move forward? Explain.

What are some ways to move forward?

In today’s Scripture passage, David was overcome with grief that consumed him. Though Absalom’s betrayal had been painful, his death was even more overwhelming. Unfortunately, David was so lost in his sorrow that he forgot his responsibilities as king. Joab wasn’t being insensitive or cold when he told David to get up. He was just reminding the king that his duties as the ruler of Israel had not changed.

Grief can be crippling. Crisis in any form can make you numb, but the key is to move forward. Take things one breath, one step, and one day at a time. It won’t be easy; in fact, it may seem impossible at first, but with God’s loving arms around you and a support system of your brothers and sisters in Christ, you can do it.

“Now get up! Go out and encourage your soldiers, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will remain with you tonight. This will be worse for you than all the trouble that has come to you from your youth until now!” —2 Samuel 19:7


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