2019 Impact Report - Camp Chestnut Ridge

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