Interns Fall 2022

We are so thankful to have the privilege of working alongside nine amazing Interns this year and are looking forward to getting to know them over this season. Here’s a little to help you begin to get to know them too! Jagger Riffle is a second-year Intern here at Camp, originally from Kent, Washington. He came out to Camp in Summer 2021 to do Summer Staff and has been here ever since. He loves making campfires for groups here at ...

The “Why”

Working at Camp or, in another ministry, can be a lot. It can feel like there is consistently something that wants our attention. We bounce from one place to another and have about a million thoughts that race through our minds of what has been done or what needs to get done. It’s pretty easy to get caught up in the rush of it all, or to go through each day as if it’s a checklist that needs to be ...

Meet the Team – Mickey Slakey

My name is Mickey Slakey, and I found Black Diamond Camp in the spring of 2019, soon after I accepted Christ into my life. I worked as a counselor for the summer of ‘19 and loved every minute of the adventure! One of the biggest perks of camp ministry is witnessing campers grow in their relationships with Jesus. After camp that summer, I moved to Indianapolis, where I taught 3rd grade until the summer of 2022. I am thrilled to ...

A New Perspective

In April of this year, I stepped into the role of Youth Program Manager at Black Diamond Camp. This position allows me to work closely with the Summer Staff in a leadership role unlike any I’ve had before. As I look back on this summer, it was amazing to see growth not only in the campers, but also in the staff I manage.   One of my favorite parts of working with this year’s Summer Staff was seeing them be so ...

Needed Reminders

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. - 1 Peter 3:15-16 NLTFor God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...