Highland Outpost

NEW for 2026!

Starting in 2026, the Highland Tribe will change. Campers who have completed 8th grade will be in Highland, while 9th+ graders will be in Highland Outpost. Why the change? In short, because it makes things better for all campers! The Highland Tribe has grown in popularity and demand over the past decade and got to the point where it was too big. Plus, a 3-year gap is a wide range for one tribe. It's time to grow again, but this time, in a different way!

What's different about Highland Outpost?

Highland Outpost will be unlike any tribe or experience that Ridgecrest has ever offered. Their schedule will be different. Their skill time will be different. Some of their meals will even be different. High school boys want more freedom and something "different". Highland Outpost will give them just that!

While they will primarily live in cabins on Highland Hill, they will spend much of their time at a newly developed site on our property, on the trail 5 minutes past the Upper Green. Their camp experience will be a combination of some of their favorite things about Camp: Free Swim, Campfire, Council Ring and some meals in Spilman, with some significant changes, including sleeping in later and eating breakfast in the woods, more freedom in how to spend their time, a totally reimagined set of adventures in the morning in place of skills, and much more!

Instead of going on the traditional campouts they've experienced before, Highland Outpost cabins will take turns sleeping in newly-designed platform tents at the Outpost and preparing breakfast over an open fire for the others. When younger campers go to skills in the morning, they may enjoy time with their friends keeping things going at The Outpost, going on mini adventures, or getting on a bus and taking a trip up on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Tell me more!

We've spent a lot of time dreaming and really believe this change is going to be an awesome new experience for you this summer. You probably have a lot of questions but we tried to anticipate some of the first things you might ask, so here goes:

So who, exactly, is this for?

Highland Outpost is for campers who have completed 9th grade or older. All campers who have completed 8th grade will be in Highland. After that summer, they'll have the option to register for either Highland Outpost or Pisgah.

How many cabins will there be for Highland Outpost?

This summer, there will be 3 cabins in this group. Traditional Highland will consist of 5 cabins. So, we are not building any new cabins this year. We're just splitting the 8 we already had in Highland.

Will they have our own TL or is there just 1 for Highland?

There will be 2 TLs. One for Highland and one for Highland Outpost. And no, we don't know who that TL is ... yet!

Will they do anything together with Highland (8th graders)?

Yes, there will be some overlap, but for the most part, their time and program will be separate.

Where exactly is the Outpost located?

It'll be located on our property, just off the trail that leads up to Michael's Dome, Leech's Rest and other campsites, just past where the current Airsoft course is. It's a ~5 minute walk from the Upper Green.

What will the platform tents be like?

They'll be fully-enclosed canvas tents with cots inside. They'll take a sleeping bag out there and sleep on a cot. So, more primitive than the cabin but much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground.

How often will a cabin sleep in the platform tents?

Each cabin will probably spend 3 nights at the Outpost during a 2-week session.

Will Highland Outpost campers still do Campwide and Tribal OAs?

The short answer is "some of them." While you will still participate in some Campwide OAs, like Sock War, Outpost campers may do other things during some OAs or OA blocks of time. We're still working on this!

Is there still space in Highland Outpost?

Yes, but it's very limited and only in some sessions! If you have a friend who wants to sign up, tell them to get in soon! You can see more about our availability on our website.

Will Highland Outpost campers still get to do any skills?

Not in the traditional sense and time, but YES, they will have the opportunity to still do some of the more popular skills, like Trap Shooting, Blacksmithing, Mountain Biking and more!

Will they still get Canteen?

Of course! The people would riot if we said "no" here, right?

Does this change anything with the Pisgah Trailblazers tribe?

No. The Pisgah program will continue on as it has been for years! The difference now is that every camper, after completing 9th grade will have the choice to decide between registering for Pisgah or for Highland Outpost.