Mound Ridge Camp and Retreat Center this year marked 57 years dedicated to providing education for a Christian culture to the glory of God.

At the close of the fifty-seventh summer program, we celebrated the participation this year of 176 campers. That adds up to 2631 meals served and enjoyed by 16 wonderful youth leaders, young adults, adults, teachers, and Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Another estimated 304 participants of various groups were and are to be hosted on the Ridge this summer before the close of the Labor Day weekend.

The Summer Program was an event-filled summer starting with the “New Camp Experience,” a partnered event with Westminster Belleville Presbyterian congregation, Mound Ridge Camp and Retreat Center and 1st United Bellville Presbyterian congregation. We continued with the New Day Camp program for children and youth around the Crawford County area. Amy England, Children and Youth Ministries of Steelville Presbyterian Church, directed this new program and also lead the New Discoveries session. The rest of the summer program included: Oh the Girls Just Wanna have Fun—And boy did they have fun lounging by the pool and hearing great stories of women leadership in the Bible! Boys will Be Boys—The boys had a great time at their fort on the river banks of the Meramec River and enjoyed geo-caching for the hidden treasures here on the Ridge! Family Campers—The Family Campers had a great time zipping and swinging along on the Ridge while also being able to enjoy quality family time together away from the hectic schedules that families keep these days. Saddle Up Your Horses--The Horsemanship campers had an awesome experience with Tracy and the hands at Royal T Ranch once again this summer. Explorers, Mini MMAD, and MMAD--The Explorers I session once again had a great 4th of July celebration and an eventful extreme “wiffle ball game.” The Explorers II Night Owl session had a great time sleeping in and playing out late at night. The new Mini MMAD session was a success. Mini MMAD was directed by Cynthia Williams, Faith Des Peres Church, and Eric Ludlow, and the MMAD session was directed by Cynthia Williams, Eric Ludlow, and Rev. Liz Lindsey of Rock Imperial Presbyterian Church. The closing program once again was a highlight of the summer session.

“Church Camp” sessions are taking on a new look!

Some new programmatic equipment purchased for Mound Ridge Camp and Retreat Center-- such as the Zip-Line, Giant Swing, the Mountain Boards, canoes, and inner tubes--added a bit of adventure to our journey while “On the Way.” The newly renovated pool shower house and painted pool hosted a great event called the “Swim-In.” Campers and staff enjoyed sitting in the pool in the new inner tubes watching movies through the projector system projecting onto the screen. This is much better than the days of sitting in hot cars at drive-ins, but the popcorn does tend to get a bit soggy.

Mound Ridge Camp and Retreat Center in Mission supported some residents in the Crawford County area by planning a work mission trip for the Immanuel Episcopal Church of Webster Groves this summer, and, of course, our campers supported the mission of Sweat Free T’shirts. Campers were asked to bring canned food non-perishable items for the local Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry in Steelville. St. Mark Presbyterian Church and Woodlawn Chapel T’ween’s and youth planted a garden to help with fresh produce for camp and the food pantry. Campers did a great job of supporting the Bridge of Hope Peruvian artisan wares by patronizing the “Ridge Top” store and purchasing items that support this mission.

Please check out the Mound Ridge website by clicking on “Staff.” There you will see and read about the wonderful young people who helped make the summer program happen. When the Presbytery commissioned this group, Mound Ridge was truly blessed with a team of workers who proved to be so willing to serve God, the Church, and all God’s children and to demonstrate that they truly believed they were commissioned as “called” individuals. Together this team enjoyed great food, much fun, learned of nature and creation, God’s natural symphony, nature’s rhythm, and shared God’s word for eight weeks while cheerfully tolerating the challenging heat and limited sleep.

Our summer staff this year led worship for three congregations: First Presbyterian Church Sullivan, Steelville Presbyterian Church, and Boeuff Presbyterian Church in Gerald. Worship style was of camp style and very EPIC, as the staff used the classic Dr. Suess story, “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” pulling together the summer theme of “On the Way,” all of which is about our faith journey.

Our journey while On the Way took us to Oh so many Places, and many more Places to Go!

Praises to the Triune God for a wonderful summer session!

Respectfully, Christy Foster, Director of Camp and Conference Ministries

Campers and Staff fill out weekly evaluation forms. Presented are a few quotes from the evaluations and comments throughout the summer!

“This was my first best Summer.”

“I learned so much about God.”

“This is a cool place to be.”

“I like to come here because this is where I really feel and see God.”

“I like meeting new friends.”

“I feel safe while here at camp.”

“I get to see friends I met last year.”

“I want to work here again next year.”

“The campers are great.”

“I attend Sunday School and VBS…but it all came together here for me as a camper.”

“I get it when I’m here.”

“Love the canoe and inner tube floats.”

“I like the nature stuff, it was good this year.” (4th year camper)

“Food is really good.”

“More food, the hills take it out of you.”

“Music in nature is fun.”

“I didn’t think I would stop screaming, going off the giant swing.”

“Zip-line, is great.”

“I want my own Mountain Board.”

“I want to swim all the time.”

“Worship and energizers are my favorite.”

Least Liked:

“Nothing, it is all fun.”

“FOB.” Flat On Back = nap time!

“Getting up so early.”