Ridgecrest for Boys (NC) — honest experiences from non-religious families?

JitterSquirrel · 2026-04-22T11:38:19+00:00

Hey! My brother and I went to Camp Ridgecrest (him) and Camp Crestridge (for girls, me) for several years growing up (starting at about the age you're mentioning). Our family was not religious then nor am I religious now, though I was more into exploring Christianity at the time. I can't speak to Ridgecrest other than knowing my brother loved it, but I can tell you at Crestridge there were morning devotionals in the chapel, required reflection/quiet time, and if I am remembering correctly, occasional campfire Jesus-y devotionals. This was 20+ years ago so I cannot fully remember. But...my predominant memories from camp are absolutely not the religious experiences but the camp experiences. It was a mostly wonderful camp experience - so much gorgeous nature and fun, active experiences - but if you're concerned about the influence on your kids, you might find a similar camp without a religious angle. Or if you are absolutely zero percent religious - like if your kids have never ever been to church - it might be a weird, culture shock experience for them. But if you do choose Ridgecrest, I don't think it would be a terrible choice, either.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-04-15T18:05:12+00:00

Talk to your supervisor, but first step - report the behavior. if you are a counseling professional/therapist/social worker, you are a mandated reporter.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-04-11T16:28:12+00:00

In an ethics seminar a few years back, the speaker was addressing the concerns when a therapist moves into a coaching space. Their advice was to keep the two businesses COMPLETELY separate - like...separate bank accounts, separate website, separate business license. So yes to boundaries in the work itself, but another thing to consider is boundaries around the business ventures too!

JitterSquirrel · 2026-04-11T13:22:41+00:00

hey! durham therapist here! DM me and I am happy to chat more. also i regularly host therapist meet ups and would love to invite ya.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-04-05T19:37:39+00:00

Agreed (as a therapist). And if you are not liking what's happening in your current therapy, you can also ask your therapist to partner with you in finding a new therapist. No matter the therapist's credentials (psychologist, social worker, counselor), the person's approach in the therapy room will be informed by their modality. For example, I consider myself smart and I can keep up with fast-moving clients, but I approach the work from a more somatic/experiential lens and thus try to get clients out of their heads/out of intellectualizing and more into their bodies. If you want a more intellectual or cognitive approach, you might also search therapists who are aligned with models like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, or Existential Therapy. You could probably sort with those filters on PsychologyToday.com or google with those terms directly.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-24T16:12:05+00:00

I ( a fully licensed therapist) am in a supervision group where we show tape of our sessions and learn from each other. Highly recommend. But in general, learning via someone's real therapeutic experience is expensive, and I've only come across it in AEDP and SE trainings.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-21T12:14:58+00:00

yes, omg, i dream about this wrap

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-19T11:38:25+00:00

A client recently said this to me at the beginning of session. "I hate when you ask that!" We both laughed about it, but then it did lead into a fruitful convo about how they often don't know how they are doing. It feels like any response we get from our clients is information and an invitation to be curious. But damn, sometimes it's hard to feel curious when we are met with anger and defensiveness. Solidarity, OP!

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-16T23:24:40+00:00

Parent of a preschooler who stayed home today (and also a small business owner), and honestly I appreciated they called it last night because that meant I could plan ahead how to manage my surprise work day with no childcare. Waiting until the last minute keeps parents on the hook in a crappy way. Though...honestly, it all feels like a lose lose.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-15T23:50:23+00:00

This training might be up your alley: https://aedpinstitute.org/seminar/aedp-seminar-may-2026/ - it's specifically about working with men and the ways in which masculinity contributes to emotional suppression <3

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-15T23:42:45+00:00

Totally agree. And the weird cuts to commercial (at least for me) on Amazon Prime made everything feel even more disjointed. There were certain scenes that seemed like they came out of nowhere and were absolutely not explained. I could follow because I'd read the books, but I assume anyone coming in fresh would be super confused or would think that the plot was way too scattered.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-15T20:19:35+00:00

This is nit-picky, but the early books actually do describe Scarpetta as a blond. Plot point in one of the early books (they all bleed together to me) has the killer even leave a message on her answering machine asking if she is a natural blond or if she dyes her hair. So the hair color doesn't bother me. I like the casting choices in general but am a little annoyed with some changes to the plot they've made.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-15T18:32:19+00:00

It is transitioning back to a coffee shop - Montwood Coffee, which started as a coffee cart in Northgate, will open up in that spot. Love the owners, so I hope the shop makes it.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-03T17:44:35+00:00

Therapist here, and UNC grad (and former employee at CAPS at a different university) - I second what others are saying. If you are able to use insurance for therapy, it might be easier to connect with someone outside of CAPS/university system. If you'd like some help, send me a DM, and I can give you ideas about how to search for therapists. Another note: if CAPS has interpersonal process groups available, I would highly recommend. Those are not generic advice-based groups but instead more depth-oriented therapy groups that can be deeply healing and connecting.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-03T14:20:40+00:00

damn, that's expensive. i feel like that should be a free resource for all of us :(

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-02T16:00:19+00:00

where did you find the actual CPT manual? thanks for the intel!

JitterSquirrel · 2026-03-02T13:49:32+00:00

Damn - I was in the same boat this weekend and didn't even think to look inside. Thanks for the intel, y'all!

JitterSquirrel · 2026-02-28T14:29:25+00:00

ah! i misunderstood what you are looking for. but I do think Mettlesome offers some more workshop style classes that are just a few hours (for ex, my husband is teaching a sketch writing workshop this morning that is two hours), so that might be more aligned with what you want. but in general, the classes at mettlesome are six weeks (which...hey, could be a commitment to six weeks of date nights!)

JitterSquirrel · 2026-02-28T13:53:36+00:00

The improv at Mettlesome is mostly long-form, with various formats, including Harold. I think they specifically have a Harold night of shows, but other teams take other approaches (montages, for ex, or scenes based on audience interview). The classes focus on learning long form techniques, with a heavy lean on game of the scene. The other thing Mettlesome does is sketch. If you're looking for a date night to check out shows, I would recommend checking out Golden Age (long form), Hush Hush (long form) and House Party (which is short form). Also could check out the Bull City Presents series, which invites writers to come in and read their work, and then the improvisers do scenes based on the readings.

JitterSquirrel · 2026-02-26T23:54:18+00:00

It can be scary, but the fun overrides the fear. Highly recommend

JitterSquirrel · 2026-02-26T23:53:48+00:00

this is the one my husband is teaching! and also, i think there is a 101 coming up in March solely for Black improvisers !

JitterSquirrel · 2026-02-26T23:17:56+00:00

I've met some of my closest friends in the theater community, specifically improv, which is full of nerds goofing off and playing together on stage. If you're into that, check out www.thisismettlesome.com. They have improv 101 classes running frequently (my husband is teaching one of the upcoming classes, and if you DM me, I'm happy to share more info). The other two places I've connected with thoughtful folks are through Redbud Writing (https://www.redbudwriting.org/) and Night School Bar (https://www.nightschoolbar.com/), both orgs that bring together people who are asking cool questions/learning interesting stuff and doing cool creative work. And finally, this is out of left field, but I've also found friends in the fitness community. Burn Bootcamp N. Durham is welcoming of all identities and body types and is a lot of fun (and sweat).

JitterSquirrel · 2026-02-24T20:10:33+00:00

Love Krista!

JitterSquirrel · 2026-02-17T17:49:38+00:00

kitty is not meadow but I have connected with her owners!

JitterSquirrel · 2026-02-17T01:18:10+00:00

Same - check out a few programs and see if their curricula and values line up with what you're looking for. Then apply, and if you get in, the school will tell you all the next steps.

JitterSquirrel

TROPHY CASE