Camp Ridgecrest and The Little Chief Challenge

I will admit: venturing just a couple miles from Camp Crestridge and onto an all-boys camp was a little intimidating at first. But after pulling up to the office building and meeting Phil, Camp Ridgecrest’s full-time director, I realized how ridiculous that thought was.  I asked the same of Phil as I asked all of the other previous camp directors- if he would be kind enough to show me what makes Camp Ridgecrest unique.  I was interested to see the difference in dynamic, as I shifted from an all-girls to an all-boys camp.

Basketball Court

The first building I entered was the dining hall.  It is actually one, if not the largest vertically-standing log cabin-type buildings in this part of the country. You see, the majority of cabins have logs laid horizontally, while this building's logs stand on end. It is a really unique site to see.

Their lake had TWO blobs!

Another interesting feature was how impeccable their lake was - equipped with not one, but TWO “blobs”, and plentiful kayaks and canoes.  Sharon, back at Crestridge, had told me about this lake, but I didn't fully understand the excitement until actually seeing it.

One tucked-away area that we almost walked past was a small chapel. There were maybe ten benches for small groups to come after breakfast and have devotionals.

Outdoor Chapel

Lastly, Phil explained to me something called the “Little Chief Challenge".  "Little Chief" is the highest rank attainable by a camper. Though, attaining the title sure isn't easy. Eligible campers are woken up at midnight and have to perform a series of assignments.  They have 18 hours to complete numerous physical and mental tasks... without making a sound!  The challenge entails:

a.     Building, starting, and maintaining a fire for 6 hours

b.     Run up Mt. Kitazuma, always remaining in between two other runners (who are constantly being replaced)

c.      Reflect on the meaning of these previous tasks at a devotion center

d.     Write a 1500 word essay after breakfast with the topic, “What Camp Ridgecrest Means to Them” which is to be completed by lunch time

e.     Perform various grueling physical labor tasks

Whether your make it to the 6 PM cut-off or not, the underlying lesson of the "Little Chief Challenge" is that we must fail in order to grow.  Only 3-4% actually complete the challenge, but everyone is right there by your side if you fail.  They are surrounded by an incredible support system and THAT is the true lesson. Thank you, Camp Ridgecrest for an amazing adventure!

Thank you, Camp Ridgecrest!

-The Girl with the Red Umbrella