Health & Safety

Is Camp Chestnut Ridge accredited? Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center is an accredited camp with the American Camp Association. Chestnut Ridge meets or exceeds standards set by the ACA to ensure that excellence in the program and safety are foremost in the Chestnut Ridge experience.

Who owns Camp Chestnut Ridge? Chestnut Ridge was founded by the United Methodist Church in 1959. Along with our sister camps Rockfish and Don Lee, we are now part of a 501(c)3 non-profit organization known as NC United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministries, Inc. 

How do I contact Camp Chestnut Ridge? You

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The Don Lee Center announced a partnership with Murphy-Brown, LLC in our efforts to build a new Environmental Education Center! We are thrilled to unveil this partnership and recognize our shared commitment to environmental stewardship and education.

On August 27, 2011, Don Lee lost its “Nature Hut” during Hurricane Irene. While devastated at the loss, we quickly focused on this as an opportunity to better provide for the 7000+ students who come from across North Carolina to engage in experiential environmental education programming.

An Environmental Education Center has been a long time dream for Don Lee Center and we are so excited that this facility is finally becoming a reality! This Environmental Education Center will include housing for education animals, classrooms, display room, an office, bathroom, and storage.

Help us build this new facility by making a donation today! Thank you.

Run (or walk) through the forest and send a kid to camp! Camp Chestnut Ridge is hosting the Third Annual Trail Run on Nov. 17. Proceeds from the race benefit NC UM camping ministry’s “Pass It On” Annual Fund which enhances facilities and equipment and helps send children and youth to camp through the ‘campership’ scholarship program.

Check-in starts at 9 a.m., and the race begins at 10 a.m., and the course is approximately 4 miles and features rolling hills through old hardwood forests on the trails at Chestnut Ridge Camp & Retreat Center.

Cost for the Trail Run is $25 online and includes a race shirt. Online registration closes Nov. 13. Registrations received after Nov. 13 are not guaranteed a race shirt.

Details available at the Chestnut Ridge website.

Race awards will be given in the following categories:

• Top Finishers: Top Overall Male/Female
• Top 3 in the following age groups: 12-under, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70- and beyond

In addition to the award ceremony, there will be food and drinks (baked goods, Larry’s Beans coffee, and cider!), and fellowship with family and friends!

We're lining up a terrific set of speakers and activities for the Corridor District Confirmation Retreat at Chestnut Ridge February 22-24, 2013. Plenary and workshop topics include teaching and discussion about baptism, scripture, service, worship, Methodism, and Christian life. Activities include worship, small group break out sessions, stole making, music, and service. We'll also have a blast with fun camp activities like gaga ball, human foosball, campfires, smores, and canoeing. Confirmation participants at any United Methodist Church are welcome to attend.

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Ages: 3-5 (Preschool)

Pollywog campers will have not yet attended Kindergarten and must be potty trained. 

Drop Off: 7:30am to 8:30am, Pick Up: 12:00pm

Introducing our long-awaited preschool summer camp! We are very excited to offer this new half-day camp experience for three to five year olds. We will spend the week walking in the woods, creating nature-inspired crafts, building forts and fairy houses, taking a hayride to the farm, cooling off with water

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