Your contributions to our 2026 Annual Fund help to support this work to strengthen the camper and staff experience, and provide resources that enhance programming, facilities and Christian faith formation. Costs have surged while we have worked to keep fee increases modest. For alumni, parents and friends, the Annual Fund is a way to stay connected to camp and ensure that new generations can experience camp. Read below for stories of impact!
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My name is Joshua, and I've been a camper for about six years. Chestnut Ridge has shaped my life in more ways than I ever expected. When I first arrived at camp, I'd never been to a camp before so I was full of curiosity and anxiety. What I didn’t realize was that Chestnut Ridge would become a place that helped me grow emotionally, socially, and spiritually in ways that still matter to me today. As a kid who was in the foster care system I always found a way to come back to Chestnut Ridge no matter where or how far away I was.
One of the biggest impacts Chestnut Ridge has had on my life is the sense of belonging it gave me. There’s something about being surrounded by people who genuinely care, who cheer for you during the high ropes course, who laugh with you during messy games, and who sit beside you during quiet worship under the stars. Camp taught me what real community looks like and I’m so grateful.
At Camp Chestnut Ridge I learned how to open up, how to listen, and how to support others. I would call Chestnut Ridge my second home because it's where I created the best version of myself. Chestnut Ridge is special because it creates space for me to be fully myself. There’s no pressure to perform or pretend. Whether I was singing loudly (and off‑key) at morning worship, hiking through the woods, or sitting around a campfire, I felt free to just be myself. I created
friendships that didn't disappear when camp ended; they helped me understand what healthy, meaningful relationships should feel like. This kind of environment is important, especially for kids and teenagers who are still figuring out who they are. Camp gives young people a place where they can explore, grow, and feel safe doing it.
Spiritually, camp has been one of the clearest places I’ve ever felt God at work. It wasn’t always in big, dramatic moments, though worship by the lake definitely had its impact. More often, it was in the small things: a counselor’s encouragement at just the right time or the quiet peace of early morning before the day's activities started. Camp helped me understand that faith isn’t just something you talk about; it’s something you live out in community and in everyday choices. Most importantly, I learned that God shows up in unexpected places, sometimes in the middle of a game of volleyball, sometimes in cabin conversations, and sometimes in the stillness of the woods.
I’ve learned a lot about myself at Chestnut Ridge. I learned that I’m braver than I thought, that I can lead when I need to, and that stepping outside my comfort zone usually leads to something good. I learned how to work with others, and how to be patient. Most importantly, counselors and directors were there when I needed them most and it shows the dedication that counselors are willing to provide and shows me exactly how great of a community Chestnut Ridge is. Chestnut Ridge isn’t just a camp to me. It’s a place that helped shape who I am, and I’m grateful for every moment I spent there.