Focused on one essential ministry, NC UM Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc. oversees three amazing locations in God’s great outdoors. Located throughout the North Carolina Annual Conference, Chestnut Ridge, Don Lee, and Rockfish offer a variety of programs for all ages.
Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center
Efland, NC
Founded in 1959, Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center rests on 362 beautiful, rolling, forested hills just west of Chapel Hill, NC. For more than 50 years, Chestnut Ridge guests have strengthened their faith through fellowship, practicing responsible care for the earth, and experiencing Christian hospitality.
Three primary services are provided to guests: summer camp, retreat facilities and programs and outdoor education. On average, Chestnut Ridge hosts 10,000 persons and serves 30,000 meals per year. At Chestnut Ridge you can ride a horse, hike wooded trails, canoe or kayak on Lake Fellowship, cook over a campfire, experience The Community Farm, swim in the pool, make crafts and sing. Come enjoy bumpy hayrides and stories told around the campfire. Invest in relationships with friends, co-workers, scouting partners by spending time on the Challenge Course.
Staff and summer counselors are chosen for their commitment to a Christian lifestyle and their desire to work with summer campers, retreatants, and students. The team makes Camp Chestnut Ridge a safe, fun and special place. During the summer, staff members come from all around the state, the country and the world, including Scotland, Germany, Australia, Zealand, and New Zealand.
Visit the Chestnut Ridge website to learn more.
Don Lee Center
Arapahoe, NC
Experience the presence of God through wind and water, through story and song, through friendships that last a lifetime. Don Lee Center has offered Christian camping experiences to all ages for more than 50 years. Nestled on the north shore of the Neuse River near Oriental, North Carolina, it is an ideal setting to learn to sail, to explore God’s creation and to grow in faith.
Don Lee Center offers ideal programs for children and youth through the Common Ground school program looking for cooperation and team building skills. Coastal Communities, a school program that takes a closer look at the coastal and river ecosystems, helps nurture over 4000 students each year.
Don Lee summer camping programs offers a nationally recognized program of excellence in sailing and coastal adventures. Adults, children, and families from churches and non-profits enjoy weekend retreats. Don Lee summer camp features adventure based programs in small group Christian living. Don Lee Center seeks to nurture persons to become spiritually mature who, motivated by God’s love, will live and practice lifestyles of care for the common good.
Visit the Don Lee website to learn more.
Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center
Parkton, NC
Nestled beneath majestic long-leaf pines in eastern North Carolina, Rockfish offers 400 acres of sandhills landscape with over a mile-and-half of lakefront property. Rockfish is a naturally adventurous setting, where individuals of all ages can experience spiritual growth and renewal.
Students from first grade through high school are thrilled with an abundance of activity. Campers learn the skills needed for kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, horseback riding and caving. Campers tackle obstacles on a low-ropes course then cool off in the newly renovated Junior Olympic size swimming pool. They can also enjoy dock-jumping, an aqua tower with blob, a giant swing into Lake Upchurch or explore camp while playing the new 18-hole / 72 par disc golf course. Sports minded campers may use the soccer field, the archery range and the recently added outdoor basketball court.
The well-trained and dedicated staff cheers on campers as they learn more about adventure skills and about themselves, others, creation and God. Campers delve into praise, worship and Bible studies to gain a better understanding of God’s love and grace.
Adult groups can meet and retreat while enjoying the many comforts of the Bergland Retreat Center with its pine paneled walls, vaulted ceiling and cozy fireplace. The 24 motel-style bedrooms are bright and cheerful. They offer individual climate controls, private bathrooms and clean, comfortable beds. Each room opens out onto a wooden porch with an oversized rocking chair where visitors can sit back, relax and listen to the quiet sounds of nature or watch the sunlight as it moves through the trees. After enjoying a delicious hot meal in the Center’s dining hall, guests can take a leisurely stroll on the board-walk that crosses Rockfish Creek and then gather around a warm fire with friends before retiring for the evening.
Visit the Rockfish website to learn more.
