FAQs

Camp Crestridge was founded over 50 years ago with a very well rounded program and with a Christian emphasis. It is very strong in traditions. We provide excellent role models for today's children and youth. Camp is focused on individual attention and building one-on-one relationships. We have a wonderful Christian staff... many who have grown up at camp and have become staff. We are dedicated to honor and glorify God in all that we do. Our activities are planned to enrich each area of a camper's life ... social, mental, physical, and spiritual.

To find out more, read What Makes Crestridge Unique?

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We are located 18 miles east of Asheville on Interstate 40, at Exit 66. Someone would be more than glad to give you a tour of either or both camps if you would call and make an appointment. Please keep in mind that our camps are completely shut down and boarded up during the off-season, so the facilities and grounds will look entirely different than in the summer. We have plenty of information in our brochure and on DVD.

Please click Request Information to have these materials mailed to you.

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We ask that you not visit your camper if she is staying only for a two-week session. You may visit during session breaks if she is staying four or more weeks. We make this request on behalf of all of our campers and the continuity of their experience.

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If you would like to talk to your daughter during her camp stay, you may call and leave a message with our receptionist. The message will be posted for your daughter's counselor, and the call will be returned when the child is not in an activity. We ask that during the first week of the camper's stay that you refrain from calling, to allow her time to adjust.

For other ways to contact your daughter, read Contacting Campers.

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If this is your daughter's first summer away from home, you will probably have some reservations. Sometimes the first day or two at camp will be difficult for both daughter and parents. Actually, we experience very little real homesickness. Most of these problems stem from being in a new environment and being unsure of what will happen. This is a temporary situation, and clears up as soon as she discovers the excitement of the camp activities. Please help your child and the camp by understanding this early adjustment period and any unfavorable remarks she makes in her initial letters. Give her time to adjust.

If you receive a letter from your child with homesickness signals, remember that letter writing usually takes place during rest hour and the camper's thoughts naturally return to you and home during those quiet times. Try to bring your own separation feelings into proper perspective, and then sit down and write your child an encouraging response. Avoid phrases such as "we miss you" or detailed accounts of what siblings and the family are doing. Ask about camp activities, counselors, etc., and set a positive, encouraging tone. Express your confidence in their ability to cope and that camp is there to assist. The camp administration is always ready to help you if you have concerns. The camp phone number is (828) 669-2613, and the Director will be available for consultations.

The best preparation for homesickness is a positive family attitude about camp, discussions about what to expect at camp, and gentle encouragement that missing home is "ok". This preparation beforehand will usually suffice to give your child the tools needed to make the camp transition a valuable growth experience.

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Yes, we have a week's training before our campers arrive, where numerous topics are covered, including homesickness.

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The camp schedule is packed with games and activities designed to keep your child having a fun, safe time. We believe that campers will have the time of their lives at camp; often having the opportunities to do brand new things along with some they are more familiar with.

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We have two and sometimes three staff in each cabin, and 6-10 girls in each cabin. Cabin ratios are generally 1:4 (staff to campers), 1:3 overall (staff to campers).

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Every effort is made to foster social unity both in the cabin and village for our campers. This begins the first day of camp as counselors and staff engage the groups and introduce campers. The first night in the cabin is always a good time for campers to get to know one another and learn about camp.

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Campers are first placed in villages, then they are divided into cabins. A camper may request one friend to be with them in the cabin. You can read more about cabin requests in the Guidelines section. The tribal breakdown is approximate and may vary depending on the number of registered campers:

Campers are placed by grade first, then age. Some variation may occur based on the number of registered campers.

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Depending on what session they attend:

Western Night, Carnival, Singspiration, Messy Games, Cookouts, Skating, Rock Climbing, Diamond Smuggling, Counselor Hunts, and Spa Night.

Every two weeks, the campers participate in Campfire, Village trips, Sock Wars, Free Swims, and Council of Progress.

You can learn more about these in both Village Activities and Campwide Activities.

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They can choose 6 classes. Campers sign up for classes upon arrival at camp. We have the following classes (some change from year to year depending on staff):

• Sports
  • Archery
  • Riflery
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Softball
  • Volleyball
  • Gymnastics
• Bible Study
• Guitar
• Aerobics
• Arts and Crafts
• Outdoor Living Skills
• Horseback (Western Style)
• Water Sports:
  • Swimming
  • Synchronized Swimming
• Choir
• Ensemble
• Cheerleading
• Drama
• Sign Language

A detailed description of our classes can be found here.

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We seek out the finest Christian role models from schools all over the country. We have a strong mix of staff with and without a Camp Crestridge background. We seek to hire staff with one purpose in mind, serving Christ through serving our campers.

To learn more, click on About Our Staff.

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Yes, a Health Form (included in the Parent Pack) must be filled out and signed by you and by your doctor. If your child has had a physical within the last 12 months, a copy may be attached to our health form.

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If your child is a vegetarian, or is allergic to certain foods, we will work with them to find things they can eat. If they simply do not like something we are serving, we cannot accommodate these requests.

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If your child has prescription drugs that she needs to take while at camp, they will be given to the nurses on opening day, and your child will receive her dose as prescribed. Since many children are on important medication, and the nurses have a tremendous load to get all medications delivered, we ask this helpful favor from you: If your child normally takes vitamins or herbal medicines during the year, please do not bring them to camp unless it is absolutely necessary. Vitamins and herbal medicines cannot be kept with the child in the cabin. Most children can do without non-prescription medications for a two or four week period. This will give our nurses the opportunity to concentrate on giving out prescription medication to our campers that need it. Also, we have the normal over-the-counter medications (aspirin, Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, etc.) in our infirmary that we can give your child if needed. Please do not send over-the counter medications with your child.

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We have two RNs at camp that will take good care of your children should they need medical attention while they are at camp. For minor cuts, bruises, and scrapes, we will not be contacting you. In the event that your child spends the night in the infirmary, or is taken to the doctor, we will call and let you know.

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Yes, this is included in our Council of Progress. If a camper begins at the youngest age, she receives her Green honor band as a Chippewa. Each village has subsequent honor bands that campers can receive. As she grows and develops, a camper can obtain a bar for 2 weeks and a star for 4 weeks—if she has met her challenges. The highest level attainable at camp is Belle. Those tapped out for Belle must pass a rigorous test in order to achieve this status.

Learn more about this program by clicking on Challenges & Belle.

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We are accredited by the American Camp Association and are members of Christian Camping International. In addition, certified instructors lead most of our skill, adventure, and wilderness programs.

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We are owned and operated by Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. We have campers coming from all denominations, and do not get into particular denominational doctrine. We have a Chapel time for each age group after breakfast, and cabin devotions in the evening, as well as Sunday worship services. All Crestridge campers participate in “Quiet Times” each morning as well. We have a spiritual theme each summer that we follow geared to enhance and focus spiritual growth.

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Yes, the Asheville airport is served by US Air and by Delta. We have a representative stationed at the airport throughout the day on opening and closing days. Due to the distance to and from camp from other airports, we are unable to transport campers to and from these locations.

Find out more by clicking on Transportation.

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The camp is not equipped to house and feed parents (or friends) of campers. However, there are accommodations in Crestridge, Black Mountain, and Asheville. This listing is found in our Lodging section.

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Yes, we will take them to Sister Mary Margaret Catholic Church in Swannanoa on Sunday mornings if we are notified.

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All campers are covered under camp insurance for any accident or injury that occurs while in our care, up to the limit of our policy. In the unlikely event that the total amount would be more than this, your insurance will be responsible for the remainder of the bill. Illnesses are not covered under camp insurance. Your own insurance should provide for this.

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Campers do not need extra money while at camp, but they may want it. When campers take trips to various attractions in the area, the camp pays for the attraction and meals. Some of our campers prefer to have a small amount of spending money for snacks, souvenirs, etc. If you wish for your child to have extra money, we leave this at your discretion, and we will be glad to hold that money in our camp bank (deposits can be made on Opening Day or by mail). We do not recommend that the camper have extra money in the cabin, and we cannot be held responsible if that money is found missing. Therefore, extra money is not necessary, but it is your decision whether or not to provide it.

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Please do not plan to have your daughter arrive early or stay late. We are not prepared to give campers the attention necessary because of staff time‑off, pre‑session meetings, and work assignments prior to the opening of a session. Under extreme circumstances we will allow an early arrival or late departure. There will be a $100.00 per day charge for early arrivals and late departures.

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The Council of Progress is an inspirational weekly event designed to challenge the girls physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. During this time, the campers and staff dress in white blouses or t-shirts and green shorts. The camp clothing store has green shorts for sale if you wish to purchase them.

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