My Summer Staff Experience: Alyssa

Hi, my name is Alyssa! I’m 21 years old and from Black Diamond, Washington. This summer, I served on Summer Staff, but more specifically, I served as a Counselor in Group Camp!Each session of Group Camp, counselors are assigned to a youth group that we spend the whole session serving. We facilitate their activities, run Bible studies, and overall, just get to know those campers in an in-depth way. I think one of my favorite things about this summer was ...

Summer 2023 Rooted Recap

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 This verse was the foundation of the summer program for both Group Camp and Day Camp. The value in what this verse says is huge, and it allowed us to share the Gospel in many unique ways to so many campers, families, and churches that ...

A Safe and Caring Place

Have you ever rushed to pick up your kids after a long workday? Thoughts of what to make for dinner, the nighttime schedule that has yet to be started, and wondering if running late burdens those watching your children? That was the reality for a single mother on her way to pick up her two children from Black Diamond Camp last summer. Upon arriving at Black Diamond Camp, the mother apologized profusely for picking them up late. While leading her ...

Simply by Spending Time

“The council members were astonished as they witnessed the bold courage of Peter and John, especially when they discovered that they were just ordinary men who had never had religious training. Then they began to understand the effect Jesus had on them simply by spending time with him.” - Acts 4:13 (TPT)I am struck by the last phrase: “Then they began to understand the effect Jesus had on them simply by spending time with him.” Am I spending time with ...

Internship Highlight – Quintin

I’m Quintin Carlson, and I am an Intern at Black Diamond Camp!In 2022, I was working as a Summer Staffer at Camp. As the summer was reaching its end, I wasn’t sure what was next for me going into the fall season. I felt the call to step into youth ministry, but I was struggling to find a place to do it. Then the opportunity to be part of the Internship Program was mentioned to me. Through prayer and processing, ...

Growing Together

At Black Diamond Camp, we offer a variety of indoor and outdoor adventure activities for groups of all ages and sizes. The Vertical Playpen is one of my favorite adventure activities to facilitate at Camp. This activity is a high ropes course that resembles a climbing wall, built between two trees. Up to three participants may go at the same time and are all individually attached to a post belay system through the front of their harnesses. The participants are ...

Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Spring is here! You know what that means? Spring cleaning. Personally, I find myself going through my closet and using this season to get rid of things. Finding clothes and items I don’t need or want and throwing them out, or donating to a thrift store nearby. It’s a time-consuming process, but it’s needed to prepare for the next season, Summer. Often in life we find ourselves decluttering and digging deep into the things we don’t need, but how often ...

Summer Leadership Introduction: Preston

Hello, Black Diamond Camp (BDC) Blog! My name is Preston Haggerty, I am twenty-six years old, and I am from Kent, Washington. I grew up going to Camp back when BDC was known as Camp Berachah, and years later I returned in 2022 as Summer Staff. Then I was part of the 2022-23 internship program. My time at Black Diamond Camp has been amazing! A little bit about me, I am a HUGE NERD. I love reading fiction and nonfiction ...

Summer Leadership Introduction: Rosalyn

Hey, my name is Rosalyn! I am twenty-one years old, and I am from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I first came to Black Diamond Camp as a Summer Staff in 2022 when looking for a summer job in ministry. One of my favorite things about Camp and summer, is the opportunity to see kids come to know Christ through activities, Bible studies, and even the fellowship that occurs at meals. I also have so many great memories spent with fellow staff members! ...

Summer Leadership Introduction: Olivia

Hi, my name is Olivia! I’m twenty-two years old and I’m from Vancouver, Washington. I first heard about Black Diamond Camp from a friend in college. It sounded like a fun and positive atmosphere where I could both be impacted by God and help make an impact in a community! I began working on Summer Staff in 2021 as a counselor and loved it! I got to test my personal strengths and be a part of an amazing team of ...