The Welcome Effect in Action: Empowering Community at Camp Crestridge for Girls
There’s something extraordinary about a space intentionally designed to empower young women—a place where strength, resilience, and faith are nurtured through adventure, connection, and shared purpose. For me, that place was Camp Crestridge for Girls.
A Welcome Like No Other
When I first arrived at Camp Crestridge, I was stepping into a world steeped in tradition, yet experiencing one of its most unconventional summers—the summer of 2020. The pandemic had reshaped camp life, transforming it from a traditional sleepaway experience into a family-focused retreat. I was one of only four staff members that summer who had never been a camper or previous staff member, and yet, from day one, I felt welcomed. The alumni and returning staff could have easily alienated the newcomers, especially given the emotional weight of a summer missing so many beloved traditions and faces, but instead, they embraced us. That alone was proof that this was a special place.
Resilience and Reinvention in 2020
That summer, Camp Crestridge pivoted, proving that its essence wasn’t confined to a single model. Every staff member showed up determined to create an incredible experience for the families who were able to attend. We found creative ways to preserve the spirit of camp, crafting meaningful moments even as the absence of full camper sessions weighed heavily on returning staff. I saw firsthand how alumni longed for the chaos and joy that came with guiding young campers through challenges and celebrations. And yet, rather than dwelling in that loss, they channeled their love for camp into creating something new—a space where families could experience the magic together.
Strength in Sisterhood
In 2021, Camp Crestridge returned to its traditional format, and I came back in a new role as office staff. That summer, I witnessed something powerful: the incredible strength of women. The entire staff (apart from the Executive Director Director Emeritus of Ridgecrest Summer Camps and full-time maintenance staff) was made up of strong, capable women. We were the ones making camp run, from the heavy lifting of camp trunks to mentoring campers through their faith journeys. There was something deeply impactful about seeing young girls surrounded by role models who embodied both grit and grace.
One of my clearest memories is of watching my fellow staff members switch seamlessly between roles—covered in mud and ash from starting campfires one minute, then sitting on a bench offering heartfelt encouragement to a camper the next. It was a testament to the multi-faceted strength of womanhood, and it sent a powerful message to the girls who walked those trails: you are strong, you are capable, and you can do hard things.
The Heart of Camp: Purposeful Hospitality
Camp life operates with an undercurrent of service, and that spirit of hospitality was embedded in every interaction. Whether it was a counselor making time for a camper struggling with homesickness, or leadership jumping into a four-square game at a moment’s notice, no one was ever “too busy” to be present.
During my internship in the camp office from August 2021 to August 2022, I had the unique privilege of witnessing how the camp functioned behind the scenes. I saw firsthand how interns—many of whom were fresh out of college—were entrusted with the enormous responsibility of running the summer program. Under the mentorship of the full-time staff, they were empowered to recruit, hire, and lead the next generation of Crestridge counselors. It was a delicate balance—maintaining the legacy of camp while infusing it with new energy—but year after year, they rose to the challenge.
A Moment I’ll Never Forget
Amid the busyness of camp, there were still moments of stillness—times when I would look around and realize the magic of what I was experiencing. Camp, in many ways, had been a childhood dream of mine. I had always longed for a space where I could exist exactly as I was, surrounded by people who were happy to be there, working together toward something greater.
That’s what Camp Crestridge was. That’s what it is.
Even now, when my heart longs for those days in the mountains, I take comfort in knowing that the spirit of Crestridge lives on in the campers and staff who return summer after summer. And I take joy in pointing others toward it, knowing they, too, might discover the welcome effect of Camp Crestridge—the kind of welcome that changes you forever.
If you have a camper who would thrive in a place where adventure, faith, and lifelong friendships are at the heart of every summer—or if you're a college-aged young woman looking for an unforgettable job that will challenge, grow, and empower you—visit Camp Crestridge's website to learn more.
