The Internship Program – Leading and Learning

In 2018, I was privileged with the opportunity to move from my small town in Texas, to Washington to participate in the Internship Program here at Black Diamond Camp. I spent my time as an Intern learning the ins and outs of camping ministry and loved it! During the Internship, we were able to shadow each of the departments at Camp and through that, I learned I love working with our Retreat groups. I started working full-time at camp in ...

My Summer Staff Experience: Annaliesa

Hey! My name is Annaliesa and I’m from Lee’s Summit, Missouri (which is just south of Kansas City). I really enjoy spending time outside, whether it’s playing sports or just going for walks. I also love reading and movies. I heard about Black Diamond Camp from my friend who had a roommate who worked here a few summers ago and loved it! I knew I wanted to give this summer to God to focus on serving Him in any way ...

Today I Declare the Lord’s Faithfulness

Today, I declare the Lord's faithfulness. The world around us, since the moment we left the Garden, has been tumultuous and chaotic. But through it all the Lord is faithful to those who follow him. He was faithful to deliver his people from Egypt, to cross the Sea of Reeds, and to dwell with them in the dessert.   As the Psalmist says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord ...

Adventure Activity: Arrow Tag

Looking to channel your inner Katniss Everdeen? Archery Tag at Black Diamond Camp is perfect for any group seeking a little healthy competition. Located behind the Rattlesnake Ridge Playground, the Archery Tag course is a clearing filled with trees and obstacles creating the perfect arena for a battle!   While you can opt for a typical 1 verse 1 or team vs. team version of the game, there are also plenty of game modes to try out!  For example, there is ...

My Summer Staff Experience: Madison

Hear about Madison’s experience working on summer staff at Black Diamond Camp in 2021. Why did you decide to do summer staff? “Prior to working at Black Diamond Camp, I had no prior experience in camping ministry, but after hearing such good things about Camp, I decided to apply. Although I had no idea what to expect, I wanted the summer camp experience. I wanted to move out of state for the summer, serve my staff and serve kids! Black ...

An Inspirational Experience

Group Camp is a program that inspires partnerships with pastors and churches in having the best experience they can at Camp with their students. The program provides complete programming while taking care of logistical needs. Black Diamond runs this program’s curriculum through a seven-year cycle starting in Genesis and ending in Revelation. The hope and desire in this model are for sixth graders coming to Camp for the very first time will hit all the major points in the Bible ...

A Weekend of Play

I’m so glad I found Minister’s Escape! As a Senior Pastor, our family is very busy and doesn’t get to play together often.   The Camp packs so many incredible family-play options into two days that we make up for lost play time and then some! From zip lining and rappelling to swimming and glow-in-the-dark dodge balling, there’s so much fun to be had! The Staff are very friendly, and the accommodations and meals are excellent, especially “grill your own steak” ...

Welcome Tyler Petras back to Camp

Black Diamond Camp is so excited to welcome Tyler Petras back to Camp as Youth Program Manager! Tyler Petras grew up attending Black Diamond Day Camp and it became like a second home for him. As he got older, he began working at camp in any way he could! January 2016 through March 2020 saw him working at Camp full-time. He and his wife Kayla are so excited to return to camp and cannot wait to see what the future ...

Welcome Mya and Mickey Slakey

Please welcome Mya and Mickey Slakey to the Black Diamond Camp staff! Mya and Mickey first came to Camp in 2019 as summer staff and it was there they both discovered their love for camp ministry. After getting married in March of 2021, they began talking about the next steps in their life together. At the time, they were both in full-time teaching positions but had a desire to go back into camping ministry. When hearing about open positions at ...

My Black Diamond Journey

Christ-like change through outdoor adventure, authentic relationships, and Biblical truth. I didn’t realize it as a camper, but my whole camp experience was shaped by this mission statement.   When I was nine, I started coming to Day Camp and it became like my second home. I begged to come back week after week, summer after summer. Once I was old enough, I became a counselor-in-training, and it was during that time that I truly accepted Christ. I can vividly remember ...