Mudpuppy Camp

Completed K - 2nd grade

Grades K-2 form our youngest camper group. All campers must have completed Kindergarten to register for summer camp. Mudpuppies are assigned to a small group of 10-14 campers and spend the week with counselors who oversee the group's formation and activities. Over the course of the week, Mudpuppies can expect to canoe, swim, take a hayride, explore nature, visit the camp farm, hike to Big Rock, and make a cool craft or two. Counselors often create various "themes" so that each week is different in Mudpuppy camp! In addition, Mudpuppies participate in worship and Bible study every day. Mudpuppies are known for their boundless energy and creative imaginations.

Most of our Mudpuppy campers are day campers, but a residential option is available for those currently enrolled in 1st or 2nd grade. For residential purposes, Mudpuppies are housed with Waterdogs and may be involved in camp-wide activities in the evenings.
Available All Sessions

Waterdog Camp

Completed 2nd - 5th grade

At this age, the campers may choose which activities they would like to do. Do you like to hang out in trees? Then choose the high challenge course, zipline or tree climbing. Are you more on the artistic side? You can choose to visit the craft cabin, make some pottery, or attend a dance workshop. At Chestnut Ridge, you get to decide which activities you do each day and meet new friends who share your interests. More Waterdog activities.
Available All Sessions

Duskie Camp

Completed 5th - 8th grade

Duskie campers also get to choose which activities they do each day, and our Duskies enjoy all of the traditional activities like archery, canoeing, swimming, high ropes, and more! Duskies are often the most senior campers at camp, and take full advantage in games of capture the flag, the Amazing Race, and marshmallow launching. Duskies age 12 and older are also eligible to challenge themselves on the static high ropes course, featuring a pamper jump to grab the trapeze bar 40 feet in the air!
Available all sessions.

2 week Duskie Camp

Completed 5th - 8th grade

NEW! One week of camp just isn't enough to experience all that Chestnut Ridge has to offer! You asked for it, and you got it! New for 2010, we are offering a 2 week camp Duskie camp. These campers will stay in the rustic cabins with the same amazing counselors and campers both weeks. Over the weekend, they will head to the mountains to go camping and whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River. Campers are free to choose a different major for each week. Staying at camp for two weeks gives campers enough time to really get to know the counselors and the campers in your group, participate in all the amazing activities Chestnut Ridge has to offer, and create new friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
Available session EF.

Trail Riding Camp

Completed 2nd - 8th grade

Trail riding camp is designed for campers who love horses. One horse per camper is provided for this camp with a limit of 20 riders each week. Campers ride Western style on trails around the beautiful 362 acres of Chestnut Ridge. When not riding, campers will help clear and create new trails, and feed, water, and groom the horses. This camp offers a chance to learn from knowledgeable instructors and to have a whole lot of fun while doing it! This major is offered separately for beginning and intermediate riders. Riders will be divided into groups according to skill by the riding instructor. Long pants & boots are required.

Waterdog Trail Riding Available All Sessions

Duskie Trail Riding Available All Sessions

Mountain Biking Camp

Completed 2nd - 8th grade

NEW! Chestnut Ridge has 362 acres with many great trails to explore on bike. Mountain Biking camp is being offered this year for both Waterdogs and Duskies. Campers will ride each day, creating new trails and mountain biking features. Campers need to bring their own bike and helmet.
Waterdog Mtn Biking Available Sessions C, F and H
Duskies Mtn Biking Available Sessions D, G and I

Rock and Raft Camp

Completed 5th - 8th grade

The Rock and Raft trip for Duskies, which combines rock climbing and white water rafting, is one of the most popular camps we offer each year. The pinnacle of this camp is a 3 day, 2 night trip to the western NC mountains. Campers will spend one day on the Nantahala River in duckies, taking on large white water rapids. The next day they will be climbing rock faces at Looking Glass in Pisgah National Forest. Sign up early, because spots will go quickly for this very popular camp. Equipment is provided and beginners are welcome.
Available Sessions C, G and H

Canoe the New

Completed 5th - 8th grade

A great success in 2009, Canoe the New camp features a 3 day, 2 night canoe trip down the New River in western NC. Campers will load their gear into canoes and set off for a 26 mile journey up the New River, one of the oldest rivers in the world, and one of the only rivers that runs south to north. After paddling each day, and enjoying a few small rapids, we will camp along the river each night at State Park campsites, enjoying the glow of the campfire, and swimming in the river. Come and "Canoe the New" with Chestnut Ridge! Equipment is provided and beginners are welcome.
Available Session B

Family Camp

"Stronger Together"

NEW! Every year parents drop their children off at camp and we hear them exclaim, "I wish I could come to camp too!" Well, now you can! New this year, Family Camp (July 23-25) offers families a chance to experience camp together. Families will spend the weekend at camp participating in many of the traditional camp activities like the challenge course, zipline, swimming, canoeing, and archery. The worship and programs of the weekend will be tied together by our Family Camp theme, "Stronger Together." Families have the option of having a private room, sharing a cabin, staying at our rustic sites, or even tent camping. Family Camp is open to all ages and is not limited to immediate families only. Bring grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - bring the whole family! It will be a great weekend of outdoor fun and adventure. Our hope is that time spent together will indeed make our families stronger.
Available July 23-25.

Wrangler Camp

Completed 8th - 11th grade

Wrangler camp is for high schoolers only! Jo Anna, along with the Chestnut Ridge Riding staff, will take campers to Uwharrie National Forest to camp and ride horses. Sunday, after campers arrive, we will pick horses, fit gear to horse and rider and ready ourselves to pull out Monday morning. Home base is Canebrake Horse Campground, which has immediate access to miles of trails running up mountains, through streams, rocky paths and around Badin Lake. Campers will learn how to high tie their horses, how to navigate rugged terrain, how to care for themselves and horses in an emergency and have fun doing it! In the evening, we will cook over the camp fire and gab over the day's adventures. Make sure you don't miss out on this adventure!
Available Session F

Ultimate Mountain Adventure

Completed 8th - 11th grade

The Ultimate Mountain Adventure has been a great hit the past two years! This camp is so big, it can't be contained in just one camp session. Campers will arrive a day early, on Saturday, to begin this adventure. This camp is for high school campers only. We will head to the mountains for a jam-packed week of high adventure activities. Each day will offer a new adventure as we go backpacking, camping, spelunking, whitewater rafting, and rock climbing. Join us this summer for this adventure of a lifetime!

Campers choosing this camp should plan to be capable of hiking 5-10 miles per day with a backpack that weighs 30% of their body weight. Specialized camping gear will be provided.

What to bring on the Ultimate Mountain Adventure.

Available Session E

High School Camp Out

Completed 8th - 11th grade

Thought you had aged out of camp at Chestnut Ridge? Think again! This camp is designed specifically with high schoolers in mind. You will spend the week camping out in the rustic sites in a group with campers your own age; reliving great camp experiences and creating new ones. Campers will participate in many of the traditional camp activities such as the zipline, high ropes course, canoeing, and archery. Come enjoy camp again, meet people your own age, and have a blast at Chestnut Ridge!
Available Session G

Slip Slidin’ Away (SSA)

Completed 8th - 11th grade

SSA is a herpetology camp for high school students interested in hands-on ecological fieldwork and exploring the hardwood forest around Chestnut Ridge! Participants will collect, process and analyze scientific data on salamanders, frogs, snakes, turtles, and other animals at Chestnut Ridge. Through partnerships with local universities, field biologists and herpetologists, campers will learn more about possible careers and related scientific enterprises.
Available Session A

Counselor In Training

Completed 9th - 11th grade

The Counselor in Training (CIT) program is an exciting experience for high school campers. Campers must have completed 9th grade to participate in the CIT program. This 2 week intensive leadership development and training program is for those who wish to grow in their faith, gain new skills, and take on new leadership challenges. As part of the CIT program, campers will have the opportunity to pursue certification in - Red Cross Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR. Campers will also delve into study of scripture and their faith. The program takes place primarily onsite, with a short offsite backpacking trip in the middle. Finally, we expect that by the end of the two week camp, CIT campers will be trying on new leadership roles as they plan and implement new programs or activities for the younger campers. The CIT program will mold and shape the leaders of tomorrow, both at camp and beyond. The CIT program takes place June 20 - July 2.