Dear Crestridge Alumnae and Friends- 
I’ve been asked by Camp Crestridge Alumnae and Friends to write a history of the Camp for the 70th anniversary. I am a History professor at UNC Asheville and the author of seven books. I have deep Crestridge roots. My parents were close seminary friends with Arvine Bell. When we moved to Asheville in 1959, we spent a lot of time at Crestridge and Arvine (she was one of the few adults I called by their first name) was like an aunt to me. In 1982, I met Crestridger Lydia Taylor and we were married a year later. We spent our first married summer in a staff cabin at Crestridge. In the 1990s, our daughters Anna Clare and Taylor began coming to camp. They both spent more than 10 years as campers and staffers. Our extended family also has a deep history with Camp. Lydia’s mom, Beth Sullivan Taylor, was a staffer in 1955, Crestridge’s first summer and her grandfather, James L. Sullivan, is generally credited as being one of three founders of Crestridge. Many family members have been campers and staffers over the years. Reece Taylor, our niece, will be Program Director this summer and a 2022/23 Intern.
I’m excited about researching and writing this book and I want your input. I won’t be able to
use all of your stories, but hearing from you will help shape the book and the stories I do use
will add a more human touch to the narrative. I want to do my best to convey the spirit and
overall fun of Crestridge.
Your input is both needed and greatly appreciated. Please double click the downloadable "Questionnaire" button and email your responses to dpierce@unca.edu NO LATER THAN March 1, 2023. Your responses can be as long as you like and I promise I will read them all.

Thanks for your help and may God bless you and yours- Dan Pierce

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Photos or scanned documents are also appreciated and should be mailed to rparishpublic@gmail.com NO LATER THAN March 1, 2023.