About Our Summer Program

Philosophies of Crestfield

::  Small Group Camping

The typical family group at Crestfield consists of 8-10 boys and 8-10 girls of the same age, with one male and one female counselor and one male and one female resource person. This arrangement allows more meaningful relation- ships to form during the course of the week as the members of each family group experience all aspects of camp together.

::  Jesus as Our Role Model

Crestfield is counter-cultural in many ways. We strive to make Crestfield a safe place for all campers and staff and we believe everyone ought to be treated with respect and care. Therefore, we do not allow any camper to put down themselves or others, but instead, encourage one an- other – using Jesus as our model.

::  Challenge by Choice

Campers will have the opportunity to partici- pate in activities that are new to them – and some may be reluctant to try new things. We do not force campers to participate in activities they find scary or uncomfortable. Our staff will encourage those who seem reluctant, but ultimately the decision to participate or not rests with the camper.

Quality Programming in a Safe Environment

::  About our Staff

Quality staffing is an essential ingredient to a meaningful and safe camp experience. At Crestfield, our staff is the main ingredient to providing an important and vital faith-building camping experience. To meet these high standards, staff undergo a criminal background check, and experience an extensive training period, of which they are lessoned in group-building techniques, leading effective Bible study, and age group development which enable then to create a physically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially safe environment. All staff members are American Red Cross Certified in First-Aid and CPR, and will be certified in fire-safety. Additionally, all of our program staff meets the national standards of instructor training by the respective governing board, which include such bodies as the National Association for the Development of Archery, American Red Cross Water Safety Instruction, etc.

::  Camper Advocate (or Camp Grandparent)

Every camp week, a qualified and faithful Christian adult will be present on site, night and day, to be visible and available to campers with a listening and empathetic ear and a comforting heart. Our Camp Grandparent is one more person on staff to be available for any special needs a camper may have. Like the rest of our staff, the Advocate will have received clearances by respective state agencies.

::  Health Care Administrator

Crestfield will have available an on-site health care administrator who is trained in dispensing camper medications and attending to health related issues. In addition to this administrator, Crestfield has partnered with a local, Board Certified physician who will be available for advanced medical consultation.

::  Chaplains

Each week at Crestfield an ordained pastor from Pittsburgh Presbytery will be a part of the Crestfield community to help bring campers to Christ and to help deepen their existing relationship to Jesus. They will be on hand to offer spiritual guidance to campers and staff, from staff devotions to Bible Study to camp activities to evening vespers. We are blessed to have these volunteer chaplains to help provide a positive experience as we grow closer to Christ.

::  A Worshipping Community

Crestfield can offer authentic Christian community through an intentional program that focuses on nurturing a camper’s relationship with Jesus Christ. As part of this community, we feel that the celebration of Holy Communion can enhance a child’s encounter with Christ through the sacrament in the context of this authentic community. Therefore, we will traditionally celebrate communion on Thursday evenings, or the closing night of camp, after campers have had a discussion on what the celebration of communion means in the context of our faith community. Parents will have the opportunity to choose if they would like their child to participate in this celebration of the sacrament. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at Crestfield.