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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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! ...
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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 ...
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Spring Break Camp 2023 Recap
What a great Spring Break Day Camp we had! We had so much fun enjoying all of the adventure activities around Camp, even in the rainy weather. 28 campers joined us for this exciting week of exploring the emotions of Anger, Fear, Disgust, Sadness and Joy in our theme “Emotional Whirlwind!” While we all know these emotions happen on a daily basis, campers spent the week learning how God can use them for His glory. Our memory verse for the ...
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Internship Program Highlight – Retreats
Through the Internship Program at Black Diamond Camp, young adults have an opportunity to assist, and shadow each department of Camp. One way they do this is through their service in the retreats department! In addition to each of our summer programs, we run retreats year-round. As one of the Event Coordinators, I work closely with group leaders to help plan and host their retreats. But this could not be done without the help of our amazing Interns. The Interns ...
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An Unexpected Positive Impact
As Day Camp approaches at Black Diamond Camp, the staff will begin preparing for guests to arrive by readying the grounds, planning activities, and brainstorming what they will teach the children attending. However, there should always be flexibility, for in particular circumstances, the staff are the ones who learn the most through interactions with the children at Camp. Sometimes a guest will bring out a child-like faith in all involved. That was the exception this past summer when a unique ...
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A Great Retreat Space!
Black Diamond Camp, located just south of Seattle, strives to be a place where authentic relationships can form and flourish. To achieve this, a variety of meeting spaces are available that allow groups of most sizes and interests to enjoy their time at Camp in a comfortable setting, while still being surrounded by the beautiful outdoor scenery and adventure activities. The dedicated staff do everything in their power to ensure that groups are provided with everything they need to succeed. ...
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A Summer Rooted in God
As summer fast approaches and we start to prepare for what God is going to do, we wanted to share the Summer 2023 theme and the process of landing on it. We are excited to announce the theme, “Rooted”! Part of the preparation process includes working together as a team to plan the theme and curriculum for the summer. We are currently in year three of a seven-year cycle which starts in Genesis and ends in Revelation. This summer, we ...
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Internship Program Highlight – Recruiting
Through the Internship Program at Black Diamond Camp, young adults have an opportunity to assist, and shadow each department of Camp. One way they do this is through recruiting trips! During the non-summer months, we hit the road and visit tons of colleges and young adult groups to recruit Summer Staff. It’s always great having them come on these trips. It’s amazing to see their ability to connect with the college students in ways I wouldn’t think of. This year, ...
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Winter Break Camp Recap
Winter Day Camp brought so much fun to our staff and families! The weather was VERY cold, but that did not stop the adventure and excitement of Camp! In addition to the multiple returning families, we were joined by many new families that we now can call friends. The Winter Day Camp theme was "Power Up! Raising Your Game in Life". Through this, campers explored their value and how God loves them for who they are. Not only did the ...
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Internship Skills and Resume Builders
The Interns at Black Diamond Camp are the hands-and-feet in making life change at Camp. While working in camp ministry, there are a wide range of skills interns learn and develop. Here are just a few of the skills gained through the Internship Program: Hospitality and Guest Service: A large part of the Internship Program is spent serving guest groups on grounds during Retreat Season. When working with guest groups, interns facilitate activities, work in the Coffee Shop, help with ...
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Transformational Experiences
Warm Beach Camp Ministries seeks to connect 1 million people with Jesus by partnering with leaders in providing transformational experiences over the next 5 years. As I allow our strategic intent statement to seep into my heart and mind, I am beginning to see the Lord transform (all be it slowly) the way I engage with leaders, think about leaders, and pray for leaders. This week I got caught up in a text thread with a passionate and wonderful leader ...
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My Summer Staff Experience: Rosalyn
Summers at Black Diamond Camp are lively, full of adventure, and packed with new experiences. As part of Summer Staff, I served by being the hands and feet of Christ in the counselor position. Though I served in both Group Camp and Day Camp, each day always began with a morning meeting devoted to prayer and preparation. With ready hearts, we set off to greet campers of all ages who were about to have the best week ever! From splashing ...