Founded in 1959 by the North Carolina United Methodist Conference, Chestnut Ridge rests on 362 beautiful, rolling, forested hills just west of Chapel Hill, NC. Currently, Chestnut Ridge operates as part of the North Carolina United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc., a non-profit institution that oversees a total of three sites.

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.

What We Do

We provide three primary services to our guests: summer camp, retreat facilities and programs, and outdoor education. On average, Chestnut Ridge hosts 10,000 persons per year.

At Chestnut Ridge you can ride a horse, hike wooded trails, mountain bike, canoe or kayak on Lake Fellowship, cook over a campfire, swim in our swimming pool, learn pottery, make crafts and sing. Come enjoy bumpy hayrides and stories told around the campfire. Invest in your relationships with friends, co-workers, scouting partners by spending time on our Challenge Course. For 45 years, Chestnut Ridge summer campers have strengthened their faith through morning watches and nightly cabin devotions, grown in their Christian faith and found God's love with help from all the campers, staff and environment that surrounds them.

Our staff and summer counselors are chosen for their commitment to a Christian lifestyle and their desire to work with summer campers, retreatants, and school groups. They make Camp Chestnut Ridge a safe, fun and special place. During the summer, staff members come from all around the state, the country and the world, including Scotland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Chestnut Ridge staff are trained in CPR and first-aid. Many of the staff have obtained Wilderness First Aid as well as lifeguard certification. The camp is managed by Rhonda Parker who, with her husband and three children, are year-round residents on the property.

Our ACA Accreditation means that Chestnut Ridge cares enough to undergo a thorough (up to 300 standards) review of its operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association® collaborates with experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes summers of growth and fun in an environment committed to safety. Read more about ACA accreditation.