Chestnut Ridge

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 8-14 campers and spend the week with two 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.

Waterdog Camp

Completed 2nd - 5th grade

Grades 2-5 make up our second eldest camper group. 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.

Duskie Camp

Completed 5th - 8th grade

Grades 5-8 form our third eldest camper group. 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 the new pamper jump to grab the trapeze bar 40 feet in the air!   More Duskie activities.

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 and nearby areas.  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.

Rock and Raft Camp 

Completed 5th - 8th grade

Ready for whitewater rafting and rock climbing? Join us as we spend two nights in the mountains of NC in search of tremendous white water rapids. Day one we will take duckies down the Nantahala River guided by the skilled staff of the NOC.  Be ready to get wet and paddle! Day two will find us stretching and reaching to climb the rock face at Looking Glass in Pisgah National Forest, guided by Pura Vida Adventures. Challenge yourself to your vertical limit. No experience? No worries! All gear and training will be provided.

Raft and Ride Camp

Completed 5th - 8th grade

NEW! A new take on an old favorite!  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. Now we have added a new camp to the mixcalled Raft and Ride, which is sure to be just as popular.  The pinnacle of this trip is a 3 day, 2 night trip to the western NC mountains.  Campers will spend one day on the Nantahala River in duckie, taking on large white water rapids.  The next day they will be climbing and descending rugged mountains on bike. Beginners are welcome.

Canoe the New

Completed 5th - 8th grade

NEW! This new camp for Duskies 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, enjoying the glow of the campfire, and swimming in the river.  Come be one of the first campers to "Canoe the New" with Chestnut Ridge! Beginners are welcome.

Target Sports Camp

Completed 5th - 8th grade

Have you ever wanted to learn how to shoot skeet with a shotgun? Hit range targets using a handgun or recurve bow? In our sixth season of partnership with Deep River Sporting Clays, Chestnut Ridge proudly offers access to nationally-ranked and certified shooting instructors, set in a relaxed, friendly, and safe environment. Campers will have a chance to learn, practice, and compete at the Deep River facility Tuesday through Friday.

Wrangler Camp

Completed 8th - 11th grade

Pack up your stuff, tie down the bed roll, and hit the trail!  This horse experience is for high schoolers only!  Campers will spend the entire week eating, sleeping, and working with the horses.  They will learn to groom, feed, and ride as well.  Campers will even take an overnight trail ride, packing all supplies on the horse to travel. This camp is not for first-time riders.  Make plans now for the best horse week of your summer!

Ultimate Mountain Adventure

Completed 8th - 11th grade

NEW! Last year's Lost Cove Wilderness trip was a big hit!  Now we're taking it to the next level with the Ultimate Mountain Adventure!  This camp is for high school campers only. We will head to the mountains of western NC 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.  This camp is offered twice during the summer.  One trip is co-ed, and the other is for girls only.  Join us in '09 for this adventure of a lifetime!

Campers choosing this camp should plan to be capable of hiking 3-8 miles per day with a backpack that weighs 30% of their body weight.  Specialized camping gear will be provided.  What to bring.

High School Camp Out

Completed 8th - 11th grade

NEW! 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 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!

Counselor In Training

Completed 9th - 11th grade

NEW! Chestnut Ridge proudly announces the launch of the new CIT program.  This is something we have been planning for a long time; a new and exciting experience for campers currently in 9th grade or above.  This 2 week camp is for those who wish to grow 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.  Finally, we hope 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.  We hope the CIT program will mold and shape the leaders of tomorrow, both at the camp and beyond.

*please note - there is a separate application process to become a CIT.  Successful completion of the CIT program does not guarantee future employment by Chestnut Ridge. 

Other camps - now electives

Some of you will remember that in previous years Chestnut Ridge has offered other camps such as canoeing, mountain biking, pottery, and fishing.  These popular programs have not disappeared, you just don't have to sign up for them in advance anymore.  In 2008, any camper signed up for Waterdog or Duskie camp is eligible to participate in these activities when they are offered at camp.  Your favorite programs have not gone away, we just found a way to make them available to more campers.

*Campers wishing to take part in mountain biking must bring their own bike and helmet.  Campers may bring their own fishing pole, or the camp will have some available for use.