2019 Impact Report - Camp Chestnut Ridge

Impact Report 2019

2019 Impact Report
"Our mission is to make the love of Christ visible through the practices of hospitality,
responsible care for the earth, and meaningful fellowship that strengthens the community."
Celebrating 60 Years
For 60 years, Chestnut Ridge has been a place where people come to reconnect with God, and with one
another. In 1959, the original vision was for a Frontier Village style of camp, with small groups of campers
living in canvas topped teepees, hogans, and covered wagons. The campers and counselors shared the duties
of living together, including cooking many of their meals over the campfire, and cleaning the outhouses. Many
parents and grandparents of today's campers have fond memories of the covered wagons and hogans.
With no lake or pool, the first campers in '59 were loaded
into the back of a pick-up truck to ride into Hillsborough
to swim in a pool there. Campers also participated in
hiking, nature activities, campfire cooking, and outdoor
living skills.
As Director of Camp Chestnut Ridge, I am eternally
grateful for the visionary leaders of the NC Conference
of the UMC who laid the strong foundation for the three
camps of the NC United Methodist Camp and Retreat
Ministries, including Chestnut Ridge, and for the decades of
staff and volunteers that have built upon that original vision
to create the camp we love today.
campchestnutridge.org

Over 6 decades, much has changed about our world, and
about camp. New cabins have been built, a new dining hall
was constructed, and a pool was built (so no more rides in
the truck bed). New year-round ministries have begun like
the after school program, preschool, equestrian programs,
outdoor education field trips, and the community farm.
Yes, some things about camp have changed - campers no
longer use outhouses, and their cabins have A/C now. But
through it all, much has stayed the same - like friendship
bracelets, bug bites, bumpy hayrides, silly songs, gooey
s'mores, arts and crafts, small group devotions, making new
friends, telling stories around the campfire, and evening
vespers at the lake chapel. Thousands of people point to
Camp Chestnut Ridge as a touchstone in their faith journey,
because it is a place where we encounter the wonders of
God’s love in Creation, and in Community.
At its core, even after 60 years, the mission of camp has
never changed - to make the love of Christ visible in all that
we do. Thanks to supporters like you, Camp Chestnut Ridge
will continue to follow this mission and have a positive
impact in our community for the next 60 years.
Peace,
Rev. Nick Jeffries
Director

Beyond The Numbers...
What is not measurable are the lives that were changed by the camp experience.
Campers Grow
Individually
By trying new things,
and challenging
themselves to step out
of their comfort zone.
"Camp matters because it lets you share your heart
without being judged but to be helped with
all your problems and there is nothing better than
having a family behind you and supporting your
choices and then correcting you to the right path. I
just love camp. It helps me be a better me."
- 2019 camper
"This is a wonderful camp. I have sent my kids here
for four years and plan to send them again next
year. The staff is fantastic. The setting is beautiful.
The food is great. The councilors are enthusiastic.
If I had to say one word about it, the word would
be...love. They are true to there mission to provide
a happy fun space for children to enjoy the
wonder of nature and God in a safe and
entertaining environment." - Camper Parent
Campers Grow
In Community
By learning to get along
with people who may
not be like them and
spending time face to
face with others.
Campers Grow
In Faith
By learning about
God in exciting new
ways in an inclusive
environment.
"Camp fills me with love that you can't get
anywhere else and it opens opportunities to share
with each other about God and fellowship to friends
and family." - 2019 camper

2019 Impact Report
Expanding Ministry Through Traveling Day Camp
One of the newest ministry programs at Camp Chestnut Ridge is the Traveling Day Camp,
which allows camp to reach new people in new places with the love of Christ through the
camp experience. By partnering with local churches, we are able to provide a positive day
camp experience that breaks down the barriers of cost, transportation, and culture; and
helps campers grow individually, grow in community, and grow in their faith.
• The Traveling Day Camp began with 2 sites in 2018. Had 4 sites in 2019. Expanding to 8
sites in 2020.
• 2019 - Partner Churches - Bailey UMC/La Estrella, Duke Memorial UMC, Windborne UMC,
All Saints UMC
• 2019 - Partner Organizations - La Estrella, Lutheran Refugee Services, Families Moving
Forward, Methodist Home for Children, and North Raleigh Ministries.
• 55% of campers attending the Traveling Day Camp received campership support.

Mary's Story...
God calls us to serve in ways that we never thought we needed to, for me that was coming to
work at a faith based camp where the degree I had been pursuing the past three years would
have little use. Little did I know that decision would change my life for the better.
Working at Chestnut Ridge has given me some of my
best friends as well as some of the best co-workers
that I could have ever asked for. They will always
support you in all of your endeavors and are always
there to lend a listening ear and to have meaningful
fellowship over a meal.
The amount of skills that I have gained from this job
is unbelievable. I have learned how to work patiently
with such a wide variety of staff and campers. I have
also learned so many fun skills like how to drive a
tractor and how to put up a dropped rope forty feet
up between two trees on the dynamics course. The
skills that you learn in this kind of work are skills that
prepare you for any kind of workforce and make you an extremely well rounded person.
God led me to work here and in this type of ministry for a reason, God knew what my heart
needed and where I would find happiness. My happiness is here outside, working with these
kids and making a positive difference in their young lives. Even if that is as simple as teaching
them new lanyard tricks or as complicated as helping them conquer their fears to reach the
zipline platform. Even just one summer on staff here can have a lasting impact on how you
work with others and how you view God’s amazing creation. It changed my life for the better.
-Mary Lilliston 2019 Summer Staff
2019 Summer Staff

Summer 2020 Schedule
2019 Impact Report
campchestnutridge.org | (919)304-2178
info@campchestnutridge.org
Day Camp: M-F
Resident Camp: Sun-F
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11
June 8 - 12 June 14 - 19 June 21 - 26 June 28 - 3 July 5 - 10 July 12 - 17 July 19 - 24 July 26 - July 31 August 2 - 7 August 9 - 14 August 16 - 21
Pollywog Camp Pollywogs Pollywogs Pollywogs Pollywogs Pollywogs Pollywogs
Mudpuppy Camp Mudpuppies Mudpuppies Mudpuppies Mudpuppies Mudpuppies Mudpuppies Mudpuppies Mudpuppies Mudpuppies Mudpuppies Mudpuppies
Best of Camp
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Rock & Raft (Off Site) Dusky Dusky Dusky Dusky Dusky
Advanced Horse Dusky Dusky Dusky Dusky
Dusky & Waterdog Majors
Horseback Riding
Waterfront
Challenge
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog & Dusky
Waterdog & Dusky
Waterdog & Dusky
Community Farm Waterdog Waterdog Waterdog Dusky Waterdog Dusky
Art
Outdoor Wildlife
Learning
Waterdog &
Dusky
Hands On Herpetology Waterdog Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog Waterdog Dusky
Cooking Waterdog Dusky Waterdog Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Kid vs Wild Waterdog Waterdog Waterdog
Survivor Camp Dusky Dusky Dusky Dusky
Group Sports
Waterdog &
Dusky
Dusky Dusky Waterdog & Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Dusky
Target Sports
Waterdog
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog
Waterdog
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog
Mountain Biking
Waterdog &
Dusky
Dusky
Dusky
Waterdog &
Dusky
Waterdog
Leaders in Training 2
Rising 11th grade
High School Camps
Leaders in Training 1
Ultimate Mountain
Adventure
Rising 9th or
10th grade
Highschool
Wrangler Highschool Highschool Highschool Highschool
High School Camp Highschool Highschool Highschool Highschool
High School Rock and
Raft
Herpetological
Research Experience
Highschool
Highschool
Highschool
More Camp For More People:
$33,523 Campership dollars given by Camp Chestnut Ridge
$23,012 given directly by churches to help send kids in their
community to camp.
In total, over $56,500 in financial aid was awarded to help
campers have meaningful camp experiences in summer 2019,
thanks the the generosity of Chestnut Ridge donors and local
churches.

Celebrating 60 Years: 1959-2019
Our 60th Anniversary Celebration in November was a beautiful day filled with
activities, good food, reunions, camp tours, s’mores, a history presentation, Wardlaw
Cottage dedication, and sharing camp stories. Many decades of camp alumni were
on hand, some who had not been to the camp in decades. While the camp may
have looked different, the spirit remained the same.

Wardlaw Pastoral Retreat Cottage Dedication
2019 Impact Report
The new Wardlaw Pastoral Retreat Cottage at Camp Chestnut Ridge was dedicated on Nov 10th. Through the
grace of God and a generous gift from the
Wardlaw family, through the NC Conference
of the United Methodist Church, this cottage
has been built to be a place of retreat for
clergy, church staff and their families. In this
place, surrounded by the beauty of God’s
Creation, this cabin will provide a place of
respite and renewal. A place for Sabbath. A
place for prayer. A place of connection, as
guests disconnect from the normal rhythm
of their busy lives, in order to reconnect with
God and with each other.
The Dedication Service was led by Chestnut Ridge Director, Rev. Nick Jeffries, NC UM Camps Executive Director,
Dail Ballard, and Chestnut Ridge Assoc. Director,
Beverly Christian. The service was attended
by friends of the camp and NC UM Board of
Trustees members Earl Saint Julian Jones,
Annette Wright and Anna Workman.
During the dedication, a prayer was offered that
the Wardlaw Cottage may be a place where the
winds of the Holy Spirit blow strong, and where
the Lord's voice is amplified and made clear.
Participants at the service also wrote their own
prayers and blessings for the cottage and its
guests. These prayers will be placed in a book
for future guests to read during their stay.
Chestnut Ridge is now taking reservations for the Wardlaw Cottage in 2020. Cost for ministers is $35 per night.
For more info email info@campchestnutridge.org or visit - www.campchestnutridge.org/pastoral-retreats

Thank YOU!
Chestnut Ridge greatly appreciates your support as part of our ministry team. The items in this
2019 impact report would not have been possible without many volunteers, donors, and friends
of camp.
• Would you like to help a child in need come to camp?
• Support innovative new ministries like the Traveling Day Camp program?
• Build new facilities and renovate old ones?
• Make sure this vital life-changing camp experience is available for another 60 years?
Your gift goes directly towards making a positive impact in the lives of campers and guests at
Camp Chestnut Ridge.
Please consider making a donation today. Online - campchestnutridge.org/donate. or you can
mail a check to 4300 Camp Chestnut Ridge Rd. Efland, NC 27243.
10th Annual Trail Run
The 10th Annual Trail Run took place on Nov 23rd with trail runs of 4 miles and 10 miles. Many thanks
to the runners and to our 22 generous trail run sponsors. Thanks to them, we raised almost $11,000
for camperships, including $725 in donations from runners above and beyond their entry fee. Thanks to
you, campers will be able to attend camp this summer regardless of their financial situation.

2019 Impact Report
Amber Aguirre - Laura Albright - Adriana Alvarez - Jean Alvord Parker - Apex United Methodist Men - Wendy Armstrong - Craig Ashley Ashley - Owen and
Laura Astrachan - Shannon Aycock - Anonymous - Liz Barber - Caroline Barlow - Nicole and Tommy Bernard - Bethany United Methodist Church - Melissa
Betz - Maryjohn Blanchard - Kathy and James Bock - Maggie Bonecutter - Joan Boone - Zana and Pete Borden - Shannon Boughton - Christopher and
Jenny Boyce - Virginia Braun - Mr. and Mrs. Braxton - Collette Brown - Robert Brown - Holly and Adam Buchanan - Bull City Running - Amy and David
Bunn - Charles and Christine Burkett - Chris and Paul Burtner - Mr. and Mrs. Butts - Courtney Cabe - Calvary United Methodist Church - Camp Donation
Boxes - Colin Cannell - Tom Carr - Cherry Chevy - Cynthia and Brent Clemmer - Eric Cohen - Col. Richard Matthews - Mary-Kate Collins - Kathy Colville
- Dawn Comfort - Valerie Conklin - Claire and David Cox-Woodlief - Croasdaile Village Residents Association - Mrs. Crum - Catherine and Steve Cummer
- Claudia and Rashid Curtis - Jennifer Daniels - Audrey Day - Blue and Robb Dean - Kristin and Samuel Deangelo - Kim and Aaron Delp - Delta Homes
Group, LLC - Greg and Lori DeMauro
- Michelle Diconcilio - Kent and Bethany
Donnell - Kerry Dorr - Douglas Hensel -
Thank You 2019 Donors!
Dr. Steinbicker - Rebecca Duncan - Christi
Dye - Sandy Ebbert -
Frederick Edie - Beth and
Together You Gave Over $49,800
Rowell Edwards - Robin
and Simon Elleston - Sara
and Doug Erickson - Elizabeth Evans - Farmer Foodshare - Kendall and Chaz Felix - Amanda and Marty Ferris - Lisa Feutz - Aida and Victor Figueroa - Katy
Fodchuk - Susan Freeman - Angela Froese - Doug and Kelly Fuller - Joyce Gandee - Patricia Gardner - Erin and Kenneth Gasch - Bill and Irene Gattis -
Angela Gillette - Mr. Giovani Giovani - Molly Gobena - Mr and Rev. Hackney - Chris Handley - Stephanie Hanes - Paul and Lindsay
Harrell - Robert
and Jeanne Harrison - Ralph Harwood - Mr. and Mrs. Helm Helm - Hillsborough United Methodist
Church Alpha Circle - Holly Springs United Methodist Church - Brian Housman - Kristina Hrvatin - Carrie Hubinek
- Susannah Hunter - Ken and Erin Huntington - Levi and Samuel Jeffries - Nick and Miriam
Jeffries - Georgia and
Burt Jennings - Harvey Jones - Amanda Kearney - Nicole Kempton
- Scott Kennedy - Anne Kenyon - Cynthia and Steven Kleeberger - Jemima
Knox - Olivia Korman
- Tom and Sue Krebs - Kristin Krippa - Alex Kubacki
- Jessie Larkins - Mr. Swee and Mrs. Lim - Mr. and Mrs. Linnens - Angela Lloyd
- Robert Long - Lisa Lord - Daisy Magnus - Aryitey - Mr. and Mrs. Mangum
- Jim Manwaring - Bryan Marks - Sujittra Martin - Lucia Matthews - Mr.
Spruill and Ms. Matthews -
Melissa Mauney - Laura Mcdaniel - Sarah
Mcgiverin - Lori McLeod -
McMannen United Methodist Men
- Mebane Running Club - Mebane Veterinary Hospital - Scott Milford-
Beland - Mona Moon - Carol and
Larry Moore - Haley Moser - Mt.
Sylvan United Methodist Women - Jana and Kurt Murdock-Doherty
- Stacy and John Murphy - Adrianne Nagy - Catherine
Nanney - Michele Nettesheim
Kimberley Nichols North Raleigh
United Methodist Women -
Susan Novak - Julie Nye - Stefan
Ohletz - Mary Oppegaard - Mark
Painter - Allen and Rhonda
Parker - Teresa Perera - Janey Phelps - Jennifer Pierce - Charles Piland -
Justin Pittman - Sheila Plant - Jennifer and
Nicholas Plummer - Steve Pond Pond
- Susan Poulton - Lisa and John Preisser - Pattie Proctor - Progressive Graphics,
Inc. - Heather Ragosta - Gary Rains - Crystal
and James Rambeau - Matthew and
Jackie Rearick - Candy and Mickey Renegar - Tom and
Linda Riggins - Mr. and Mrs. Roberts
- Brenda Robinson - Pete and Heather Rodrigues - Mrs. Rogers - Roy Turnage
Scholarship Fund - UMF - Lucas Rugani - S.Hughes Imaging -
Kristine Schaefer - Jennifer Seiger
- Kevin and Manuela Seymour - Lori Shaw - Christine Sillings - Jasmine Smith - Susan Smith - Solo
Analytical Services - Richard Spencer - Sports Endeavors - Spring Into Action - Kyrsten and Ryan Spurrier - Debora and
Nick Stamatakis - Stephanie Steele - Christina Steger - Mariola Steinbicker - Cynthia Stubbs - Erin Surmacewicz - Terri and Don Tarrant - Meg Tate
- Lana Taussig - Matt Taylor - Connie Tempest - The Bell Family - The Bread Shop - The Siena Hotel - Elizabeth Thomas - Sonia Thomas - Kristie Thompson -
Jose Torres - Townsend Bertram and Company - Kristin Trangsrud - Matt and Elissa Tubergen - Ronda Turrentine - Shawna and Jeff Turrick - Don Von Hagen
- Mr. and Mrs. Wagstaff - Erik and Torey Wahlstrom - Mr. and Mrs. Whitney - Whole Child Behavioral Interventions - Katie Wight - Catherine Wilde - Mr.
Wileman - William Travis Jewelry Ltd - Nicole Williams - Laurie and Matt Williamson - Jane Williford - Noah Williford - Mr. and Mrs. Wilson - Mandra Wirick -
Lee Wolf - Lydia Woodson - Julia and Michael Woodward - Jimmy Workman - Todd and Stacey Young - Rachel Zamorski - Laila Zubko - Robin Zwilling
*Dec 2018 - Nov 2019 Gifts

Staff:
Dail Ballard - Executive Director
NC UM Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc.
Rev. Nick Jeffries - Director
Beverly Christian - Associate Director
Chris Burtner - Equestrian Programs Director
Amanda Powell - After School &
Year-Round Camps Director
Erica Romkema - Community Farm Manager
Christine Peckman - Outdoor Education Director
Cyril Murphy - Food Services Director
Adam Ledbetter-Bock - Retreat Coordinator &
Summer Camp Registrar
Joel Roberts - Maintenance Director
Melissa Mauney - Housekeeping Director &
Program Staff
Becky Garus - Preschool Director
4300 Camp Chestnut Ridge Road, Efland NC
20 minutes from Durham, and Chapel Hill and 45 minutes from Raleigh and Greensboro
campchestnutridge.org | 919-304-2178 | info@campchestnutridge.org