We are excited to introduce Chestnut Ridge Summer Camp 2008: Food, Faith, and Farming. Our theme builds on three summers of learning how to garden, compost, care for animals, and live more lightly on this earth we share with so many others. We are living out our commission in Genesis 2:15 to work the garden and take care of it.

And, along the way, we’re having a great time as we learn how to farm worms and play in the mud, swing through the trees, and give thanks for the people and the programs that make Chestnut Ridge such a special place. From all the corners of God’s earth, staff and campers gather each week of the summer to celebrate God and God’s good creation through games, stories, songs, dance, jokes, and outdoor activities such as tree climbing, swimming, mountain biking, marshmallow launching, and trail riding.

There is something new to try every summer and 2008 will be no exception. We have added high adventure camps for our high school campers. Longtime campers can journey with us as we explore the Lost Cove Wilderness, raft the biggest rivers, or take an overnight trail riding expedition. High schoolers can also spend a week doing field science work with professors from area universities at Slip Slidin’ Away. Middle schoolers will find the new slingshot course a blast; residential middle schoolers can opt into an overnight campout in the remote frontier of our 362 acres. They can also participate in the always popular Target Sports camp or Rock Climbing and Rafting camp. Campers of all ages will enjoy new pool and lake toys and games as we stay cool and wet during the hot summer days.

Whether it is riding a horse, paddling a canoe, creating a pottery piece or our weekly Home in the Woods campout, there is an experience at Chestnut Ridge for you. As one of our longtime campers shared last summer, “This is the best week of my life. The friends, my counselors, the food…this is my favorite place to be!”

It’s our favorite place to be, too. Come join us!

Grace and peace,
Rhonda
Rev. Rhonda Parker