Help make a dream come true…
Guest blog by Chris Burtner, Equestrian Programs Director at Chestnut Ridge
It’s hard for me to believe that just a year ago the staff at Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center was waiting in anticipation to find out if we would continue our equestrian programs beyond 2011. The pastures so graciously loaned to us for 8 years will no longer be available starting in March 2012, and a decision had to be made to make our horses a new home or to end the equestrian programs at Chestnut Ridge. Because of the big dreams of friends like you, and the commitment of camp leadership, the decision was made to timber, clear, grade, and seed 33 acres of pastures so that horses could continue to play an important role in the ministry and mission of Chestnut Ridge.
So much has happened since then!
Maybe you have met Duchess, Chief, Reba, or Snickers? They are just a few of the new horses purchased or donated last spring to support the big dreams for the future of the equestrian programs. During summer camp 2011, over 170 children learned riding skills and made friends with the horses, each other, our staff, and God. In the fall, riding lessons were held weekly, and families and friends enjoyed trail rides through the autumn splendor each weekend. Horse Slumber Parties, and the first ever Cowboy Camp Out, hosted girls and boys for overnight horse experiences. And the Chestnut Ridge horses were the hit of several birthday parties too!
But there is more that needs to happen now!
Our Equestrian Program is growing right along with the grass in the new pasture. As March draws closer, the final steps of making these pastures livable loom large. To create a happy and healthy home there, we still need to install fences, gates, water, electricity, and shelters. A barn and a cover with lights for the arena would allow the program to grow even more. Spring riding lessons, trail rides, and Summer Camp 2012 are coming up - and filling up - fast, so time is short.
Please join me and my family in supporting the big dreams for the future of the horse programs at Chestnut Ridge by donating today.
Happy Trails!
Click here to learn more about the plan for Equestrian Center improvements at Chestnut Ridge
Occasions made special
Blog by Rev. Nick Jeffries, Director - Chestnut Ridge Camp & Retreat Center
The other night my son and I built a campfire, roasted marshmallows, and ate smores together in the backyard. Was it a special occasion? Birthday? Friends over for dinner? Nope. We made smores just because it was Wednesday. We had no better reason than that. So we had a special evening together, collecting sticks, being mesmerized by the fire, and getting marshmallow goo all over our hands and face. Just my son and I. It was not a special occasion, but it was an occasion that we made special by spending quality time together.
Summer camp is full of ordinary occasions made special.
- An ordinary Tuesday at lunch becomes memorable when counselors dress up like super heroes attempting to "rescue" the squash.
- A normal day at the pool quickly turns into a party with a little music, a few pool games, and some energetic counselors.
- A climb in a tree becomes a self-esteem boost when that tree happens to be part of the high challenge course
- Digging in the dirt turns into a learning opportunity when a camper says, "oh! that's what a broccoli plant looks like!" and realizes where their food actually comes from.
- Time spent grooming and riding a large horse becomes so much more when a camper who is struggling to connect with peers and won't talk to her parents, connects with the horse she's riding and starts showing affection, love, and displaying a smile not seen in a while.
- A simple walk around the lake turns into a pivotal faith formation moment through the sharing of Biblical stories and God's love.
Summer camp is not about celebrating life's special occasions. It's about celebrating life and making occasions special. It's taking the simple acts of living in community - eating, worshiping, living, laughing, farming - and making them into special memories that last a lifetime. That's why our interviews with potential summer staff contain questions like, "What do you do for fun?" and "Tell me about the silliest, goofiest thing you did this past year" and "You've got a 30 minute time slot to fill with the youngest campers, what do you do?" Yes, we're looking for mature, responsible young people, but we also want to be sure that they are engaging, energetic, and have the ability to make any moment special. That's why so many campers come back year after year. It's not because we have a pool, some horses, and food. It's what the creative, energetic, imaginative staff does with those things that makes the moment, and thereby makes the memory.
Don't wait for a special night, go make this normal night special. Get those marshmallows out and go make a campfire with the family tonight.
Join us for Father/Son or Mother/Daughter Camp to make a normal summer special this year