The Welcome Effect in Action: Brotherhood and Purpose at Camp Ridgecrest for Boys
I’ll never forget the nervous energy I carried into the summer I spent at Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. My role as an intern for the office manager meant that I would be fully immersed in the boys' camp culture for the summer of 2022—a culture that, as a woman, felt vastly different from what I had known at Crestridge. The first evening of staff week happened to fall on my birthday, marking the first time the entire team had gathered to begin training before campers arrived. That night, I found myself one of only 12 women among a staff of over 140 men. Intimidating doesn’t even begin to describe it. For two summers, I had wrestled with feeling like I didn’t fit the mold of either camp. I had grown accustomed to being overlooked in male-dominated environments, but what I experienced at Camp Ridgecrest was something entirely different.
Instead of being ignored or dismissed, I was treated as a true sister in Christ—something that, to this day, remains a turning point in how I view myself and my place in the world. The narrative I had believed for so long—that I needed to be smaller, take up less space, and prove my worth—was rewritten in those weeks. These men, many of whom were years younger than me, had every opportunity to make me feel out of place. They could have treated me as a mere formality, the designated sweetheart of their tribe. But instead, they embraced me with a kindness and respect that allowed me to rediscover the softer, more gentle parts of myself I didn’t even realize I had lost.
One of my fondest memories from that summer happened during staff week when the members of my assigned tribe embarked on their pre-summer hike. Each tribe at camp hikes out to the site where they will later camp with their campers, ensuring it’s ready for the season. It’s tradition for the sweethearts of the tribe to hike out after them and surprise them with a treat. The other sweetheart and I decided on Oreos and Mountain Dew (a classic camp combination). The hike was short but steep, and I wasn’t sure I’d make it to the top. When I did, it was immediately worth it. The boys were thrilled to see us—not just because of the treats but because they genuinely enjoyed our presence. They were goofy, kind, and full of life, making it hard to leave when the sun began to set. From that moment on, I made it my mission to look after them, writing weekly notes of encouragement and making sure they had donuts and chocolate milk waiting for them when they returned from their hike each week. In turn, they trusted me to support them with their campers, included me in games, and sought me out for walks around the lake when they needed to process their summer experiences. It turned out to be the best summer of the three I spent at camp—and I love girls’ camp.
A Unique Role at Camp Ridgecrest
Camp Ridgecrest is a place unlike any other, and being a woman at a boys’ camp is a unique experience. While all the staff at Crestridge are women, Ridgecrest has a small group of female staff known as the sweethearts. These women take on various roles—working in the office, laundry, crafts, photography, videography, medical assistance, and sometimes even as the puppy skills director. Beyond our job duties, we were each assigned to a tribe (grouped by age) and played a supportive role for our tribe leaders, helping with setup and breakdown for tribe games, running errands, and stepping in when campers needed extra encouragement.
I was assigned to the youngest tribe, made up of boys who had just completed first through third grade. At that age, homesickness is common, and sometimes it presented itself as a refusal to eat. The other sweetheart and I often found ourselves stepping in to help with these moments, offering encouragement and small comforts that made all the difference. Despite our role at camp, there were many elements we didn’t participate in—we didn’t visit cabins, go on campouts, or attend Council Ring. Instead, we played a different but significant role in the camp’s ecosystem, witnessing the bonds that formed while supporting from the sidelines.
One of the most impactful aspects of being at Camp Ridgecrest was witnessing the way the male staff set an example for how women should be treated. Because there were women present, the staff were intentional about modeling respect and kindness for the campers. This created an environment where being a woman at boys’ camp felt easy—you knew you had men in your corner who would stand up for you if needed. It showed me what a healthy dynamic between men and women could look like in a way I had never seen before.
Brotherhood in Action
Even though I wasn’t fully immersed in the brotherhood of Ridgecrest, I had the privilege of witnessing it. Having experienced the sisterhood of Crestridge, I could see the parallels—the way the boys supported each other, the depth of their friendships, and the way they grew together over the summer. The staff at Ridgecrest were incredible men—goofy and fun, but also deeply kind and emotionally intelligent when it mattered. It was something beautiful to witness firsthand.
The Lasting Impact of Camp Ridgecrest
Just like at Crestridge, the core values of Ridgecrest are woven into every aspect of camp life. The staff pour themselves into the campers, creating an environment that fosters growth, faith, and resilience. There are countless men who would say their lives look entirely different because of their time at Ridgecrest, whether as campers or staff. The camp’s traditions are honored, but they are not stagnant—there is always a thoughtful discussion about how to build on the legacy of camp while continuing to improve it for future generations. This commitment ensures that Ridgecrest remains a place of deep impact, not only for the campers but for everyone who sets foot on its grounds.
Camp Ridgecrest is a place where boys become men of integrity, where brotherhood is built on faith, adventure, and a deep sense of belonging. It is a place where young men learn to lead with kindness, where traditions ground them, and where the relationships they form shape them for life beyond the Blue Ridge. Even as someone who existed on the fringes of this experience, I was welcomed in—seen, valued, and included in ways I never expected. That’s what Ridgecrest does; it welcomes, it strengthens, and it sends people out better than they arrived.
For families considering Camp Ridgecrest for their sons or young men and women looking for a summer job that will challenge and change them in the best way, I can’t recommend it enough. To learn more about sending a camper or applying for staff, visit Camp Ridgecrest for Boys.
