“There is a sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit at Ridgecrest in a way that is very personal. Consistently throughout my life Ridgecrest has been a place of personal retreat and renewal unlike any other.”

“The peace you find there, and the lack of the world’s intrusion on our renewal time. Creation is all around you speaking of your creator to you. The friendliness of the staff, etc. I love to be there!”

“Ridgecrest is like a different world: One away from the noise of life and close to the comfort and love of the Spirit of God.”

“Best place ever to refresh and renew one’s soul. Great place to meet new friends and enjoy old friends!”

“I have been coming to RCC since the 70s. It was at Ridgecrest that I heard the call of God to pastoral ministry. Over the years I have experienced the first-class teaching, preaching, and fellowship opportunities that Ridgecrest affords its guests. This is why I come back now as a volunteer: to pay back so others can experience what I have experienced over the years.”

“2022 was about the 15th time that I have been to Ridgecrest. I anxiously await the mountain-top experience. The week away from my normal activities, in a place that is beautiful and serene, is wonderful. It is a spiritual retreat for me, a time for study, praise and prayer. I would like others to enjoy it.”

“I came honestly because of the very generous minister’s discount. I was shocked at no TV In the room. I was able to really unplug and spend real quality time resting and studying and praying. THANK YOU, I needed this time away more than I realized. I hope to make it a yearly thing. I was passing through NC back to home [to] TX from a family wedding. It was like a gift, an oasis of time with the LORD. THANK you all for “saving” Ridgecrest. I had se en in the media, it might be sold or “lost” to corporate venues. But it still has the “feel” of Ridgecrest. Keep doing what you are doing. It is a very special place for many generations, in the past, and in the future to come too!”

“We made a gift for how much the marriage ministries hosted on that campus have meant to me and my wife. From my early days of attending Centrifuge at your site up through returning to pledge my devotion and faithfulness for more than just “an OK” marriage, that sacred ground means so much to me. Thanks to your team for guarding this holy ground.”

I have lived in North Carolina for 15 years and attended Southern Baptist churches for about 25 years. Yet, somehow, the name Ridgecrest was a vague reference. That’s until I chaperoned our youth group in June 2021 to Ridgecrest. Immediately, I sensed through the Holy Spirit that I was on hallowed ground (I actually had to stop typing after that word and thank God all over again at His incredible presence!) The hospitality, grace, peace, and safety shown by staff and volunteers alike were all such a big part of our experience.

Our students were allowed to roam around the grounds in groups of 3 and report to the next activity on time. For many of them, they’d never had such freedom because our world can be so unsafe and, at the least, overrun by cell phones and social media. They got to truly unplug, whether it was to interact face-to-face, or even to enjoy offerings such as Clouds, the Prayer Garden, or even the many seating venues on the campus.

When they were in the caring and energetic hands of staffers and I could unplug, I invariably found myself in a rocking chair reading my Bible or one of the studies I’d brought with me. When it was time to leave, I was somewhat spiritually rested, but I sensed deep in my soul that I needed more time there. Then I became aware that the people who were wearing navy t-shirts around campus were volunteers. I immediately found out more, and over the next 3 weeks while I was back home, I completed the required references, etc. to become a Ridgecrest volunteer.

For about a week in July 2022 and another week in July 2022, I was able to serve at this place that means so much to me.

When the ImpAct campaign came out, money was tight as a single mom and teacher, but I was paying $25/month for a regular car-wash service. I immediately sensed the Lord telling me to give that to Ridgecrest. So, while it’s a tiny amount, I pray He multiplies it as only He can, and I encourage all of you to pray about what the Lord may be asking you to give — both financially and as a volunteer.

The need for volunteers is so great — the most faithful ones are in their golden years and are often doing manual labor tasks. While they love the Lord so much that they don’t complain, Ridgecrest needs people from all generations to step up and volunteer. You could consider it a mission trip for your church and schedule a group to go. You could make it a reunion of sorts with college buddies. Just volunteer. The need is great, and the Lord will reward you with peace, fulfillment, and so much more. And when you meet those senior volunteers, if you let them tell just a tiny bit of their stories, you will be so blessed!

Simply put, the Lord rejuvenates my soul at Ridgecrest, and He uses my tiny offering for His kingdom purposes and blesses me in return!

~Jen Cooke, Conference Center Volunteer

During the summer of 1981, I was invited to chaperone my church’s youth group for a new camp called Centrifuge at Ridgecrest. I had never been able to attend church camp growing up so I had no idea what to expect. It was a super week of experiencing a Christian camp plus the beauty of Ridgecrest. Toward the end of the week, our youth Minister decided to have our church group time at the prayer garden and it was there God called me to work with students. That was 40 years ago and I am still serving as a Student Minister. I am so grateful I was obedient to His call and Ridgecrest will always hold a special place in my heart.

~ Anonymous Guest

I made a life-changing decision as a teenager at Ridgecrest many years ago. Many return trips through the years provided education, renewal, commitment, and inspiration. Even now as a senior adult volunteer, it is a blessing to return and serve and pray for God to work in the lives of those attending their events. God is working through Ridgecrest and I am thankful for it!

~ Current Volunteer.

This is a follow-up to the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference at Ridgecrest. Just wanted to thank you and your team for all the work that went into organizing the conference. Quite an undertaking to say the least! Everything went beautifully and I learned so much, mainly how little I know! The spiritual emphasis of the conference was so encouraging as were each of the workshop presenters. It was an all-around, very uplifting experience from many angles.

Something you said to me personally was so meaningful. You said that the purpose of that kind of event was to talk about the industry of writing, publishing, etc., but you said one should never rule out God. This meant so much to me and was exactly what I needed to hear, especially since I am late getting into the “game.” Over and over, the reminder that it is God who is calling us to the task! This is a perspective that someone like me needs to keep constantly in view.

Thank you every much for everything! I’m hoping to be at Ridgecrest next year.

– 2022 Conference Attendee

“This is about my son, Owen, and Ridgecrest’s impact on his life. I married Owen’s mom in 2014 when Owen was 8 and his brother was 12. The divorce from their birth father was rough, but Owen came through seemingly unfazed. It wasn’t until he got to camp and the subsequent years he’s attended, that I realized camp is the “safe” place for him to open up about everything from his birth father, his conflicted feelings of loyalty, his love of Christ – pretty much everything. There has not been one thing more impactful on his life and the definition of his character than Camp Ridgecrest. After the first session, I saw a tremendous change in Owen. After the second year, it was amazing to see the growth he made each summer as a man. He literally “lives” for Camp Ridgecrest. He talks about it all year. He trains for it. He buys items to take to camp months in advance. He stays in touch with counselors from years past as well as cabin mates. We’ve done Father-Son camp three times, and he smiles the entire time, knowing that he gets to share something he loves as much as Ridgecrest with me. It’s the highlight of our year and time reserved alone for Owen – no older brother, no dog, no mom. Just us boys in the woods playing games, enjoying the canteen, and throwing water balloons. Seriously, I’m amazed at what this camp has done for Owen. It has shown him all the right things. It has taught him all the right things. It has made him a confident, faithful young man who is proud of his relationship with Jesus and a young man that is confident in just being Owen. I cannot possibly say enough good things about Ridgecrest, but more importantly about the staff – Ron and Phil are just the tips of the iceberg. The first few years, Ridgecrest was about shooting guns, swimming, camping, eating Hershey bars, and drinking Cheer Wine. But I noticed around 7th grade that Owen started to look forward to camp for more than just the pleasure of being a boy, surrounded by boys, doing boy things. His mother and I both noticed the growth in his faith, and more importantly his growth in acknowledging more about his emotions and how he feels about life. Behind the quick smile and easy-going attitude is a mind contemplating how he feels about his place in the family and in the world at large. Camp Ridgecrest has shown him how to handle that transition from boy to man in all the right ways. It wasn’t the guns or the two-square that allowed him to open up, those were just the tools. It was the counselors that made that change in Owen. It’s like there is an endless supply of college-age men who are fantastic counselors because it isn’t just one session or even one year that Owen has awesome counselors. It’s EVERY SESSION! That’s unbelievable, but I actually get to meet some of these heroes each time I go to Father-Son Camp. They really are amazing, and I hope I do a good job of telling them how much they’ve meant to my son and me. Please send my regards to each and every staff member at that wonderful place. The impact on at least this one boy’s life has been “life-altering” in all the right ways. You guys ROCK!!! You really do have something special there around that lake. It’s a gift from God and a tremendously special place for my son and me.” -John

Prior to my husband suddenly passing away in November 2009, I had visited a couple of camp previews that fall, which included Ridgecrest Camp for Boys (RCB). My son, Stephen, was only 8 years old, and he is the youngest of 5. Through the years, he had seen his siblings attending Christian summer camps, so he was so excited it was finally his turn. However, after the trauma our family had experienced, I was ambivalent about having him be away. Since it was the first summer after his daddy went to be with the Lord, I didn’t know if it was a good idea for him to be away from the rest of the family. So, I put the onus on him to decide if he would want to be away at camp for two weeks without any friends because we didn’t know anyone else who was going to attend RCB.

A very close friend, counselor, and the pastor’s wife at my church, introduced us to the Ridgecrest camps. She had gone as a small girl, and likely could help us. Stephen was unphased by the thought of being alone and away, despite how I thought he might have been affected by our family trauma. I was trusting God for the finances, and due to an anonymous donor, Stephen’s tuition was covered, which was both a surprise and a huge gift to not just him, but to a new single mom. So, as a veteran mom of children who attended years of camp, I headed out to buy a sturdy trunk and find all the camp necessities on the list. The relationships that were forged starting in the summer of 2010 are still some of the deepest friendships for both Stephen and me.

Stephen was allowed to just “be a boy” without any story when he showed up at RCB. He was carefree. He could run around without carrying the burden of constantly being surrounded by the memories of his father. He got exactly what a young boy of his age needed; to experience rough and tumble fun, like the sock wars! Through the years, Stephen continued to attend RCB, and each year neighbors and school friends joined him, probably a total of 30 campers were introduced to RCB due to Stephen’s enthusiasm. I still remember Ron coming to our house to put on a camp show, and one of the parents asked Stephen if he ever got home sick. He responded, “Home sick? I’m camp sick all year long!”

The moment of truth came when he was tapped out to be a Little Chief. As you know, the text chain and social media are filled with anxious parents throughout the 24 hours of the test. As the day unfolded, and Stephen kept his fire burning, ran up the hill, and headed back to camp as part of the coveted few, I was so certain he would be given the title, and that this would mark the end of his camper years. However, in his fatigue Stephen said, “Shoot!” when he tripped running, and he disqualified himself. When camp ended that summer, Stephen told me he was determined to return and would earn his own tuition. Sure enough, after countless hours pressure washing driveways, Stephen returned and earned the name “Conquering Quest.” Stephen is now a junior in college and has become a man that I know his Heavenly Father and earthly family are so proud of.

I was a camper there for three summers from 1958-1960 when I was 10-12 years old. It was a very influential time in my life when I had been brought up as an only child, and the camp really helped me learn to connect with other kids, as well as reinforce and practice my faith as a Christian. As a result of my experience there, my wife and I have tried to help a number of other kids to have meaningful camp experiences through the years, and we’re delighted to help Ridgecrest gain the financial stability it needs to keep ministering and moving forward in its important work with kids.

~ Camper 1958 – 1960

Our son has had a rough year with bullies and academics as he also has dyslexia. Camp afforded him the opportunity to be seen for who he is and was not performance-based. He had the opportunity to be a leader and develop relationships with other kids and be himself. I have seen a lot of personal growth and maturity in just 2 weeks. He absolutely loved it. His counselors did a great job, and he talks about everyone that impacted him there. I believe his confidence has increased since attending camp. He is more self-assured. I appreciate everything because it meant a lot to us that he find a place with kids his age where he was accepted. I was thrilled to learn of his progress.

~ Camp Parent / 2021 Camper