Summer Camp

2009 Summer Camp Schedule
Make plans now to attend summer camp at Camp Blue Diamond in 2009. Below is a listing of the camps that will be offered next June and July. As in the past, Online Registration will be available Jan. 1st, and summer brochures will be mailed to previous campers in early February.

Seventeen different camps for preschoolers through high school youth are begin offered. For preschoolers and a parent or grandparent there's Kiddie Camp, a two day, one night introduction to summer camp. 1st & 2nd graders could attend Tenderfoot camp, also a two day, one night experience.

Juniors: 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, could come for either a three day camp - Pioneer Camp, or choose from two, week long Junior Camps. For Junior campers who like roughing it, there's Junior Wilderness, where camper stay in the old rustic cabins, cook over an open fire, and spend extra time in nature activities and hiking.

Junior Highs have lots of choices ranging from the regular week long Jr. High camps, to specialty camps like: Caving Camp, Jr. Hi Wilderness, Yough Adventure (rafting and backpacking), Canoe Camp and Creative Arts (music, crafts and drama).

Sr. Highs can choose from a week long Canoe camp, CIT camp, where youth develop the skills needed for counseling, or Youth camp a CBD classic with special sessions, worship, music, work projects, and activities geared just especially toward senior high age youth. There's even a Women's Camp, a summer weekend camp for women age 18 to 80 (or more).

The CBD Summer Camp Program
Camp Blue Diamond summer camp strives to provide each child with a best quality summer camp experience in a caring, safe, Christian setting, at an affordable cost.
 
Toward this goal Camp Blue Diamond: 

• Requires references, background checks and interviews for all employees 
  
  
• Trains all summer camp counselors and program staff in American Red Cross 1st Aid and CPR
  
  
• Provides all counselors and program staff with an intensive weeklong training before camp begins
   
• Has a licensed RN or MD on duty 24 hours a day during the summer camp season
  
  
• Has an Ordained Minister on duty to provide support and leadership for staff and campers
   
• Uses contributions by affiliated churches to offset the summer camp fee by 1/3
  
  
• Provides summer camp scholarships to families with financial need
  
  
• Complies with American Camp Association accreditation standards
  
  
  
  

Camp Blue Diamond is proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association. Developed exclusively for the children's camp industry, this nationally recognized program focuses on program and facility quality, hiring and training practices, and health & safety issues.  ACA accreditation requires us to review every facet of our operation. 

Why Church Camp Is Important!
I truly believe that every child should spend time at church camp during the summer - but them again - I'm a camp director. I am also a parent. As a parent I want my children to experience as many positive experiences as possible during their growing-up years. These experiences include, but are not limited to: Sunday School, 4-H, music drama, sports, travel, youth group activities, reading, school clubs, art, marching band and much more. What I appreciate most about church camp is it allows young people to encounter Christ, live in a community of like-minded peers, sing new songs, play games, tackle challenges, see new places, and experience adventures like rock climbing, backpacking and whitewater rafting. These activities teach life lessons and make for life-long memories and friendships in a Christ-centered, faith based community.

There are many opportunities for our children and grandchildren to take part in during the summer – but none as holistic, and life-changing as church camp. As a result of a church camp experience we have witnessed many students return to camp in leadership roles, attend Brethren colleges, enter Brethren Volunteer Service, go into ministry as a vocation, and choose to work in service areas such as education & social work. This is exciting! This is why the Camp Blue Diamond staff is committed to outdoor ministry! Lives are changed, and leaders born. The teachings of Christ proclaimed. – Jerri Heiser Wenger

Camp Blue Diamond is Affiliated
With the 55 congregations of the Middle PA District Church of the Brethren. The Church of the Brethren is a nationwide denomination of about 1100 churches and 130,000 members. Founded in 1708 in Germany upon the scriptures of the New Testament, members believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Holy Spirit is God's  presence in the world today, baptism must be a conscious choice made by the believer, and that believers should practice social justice, simple living, and peaceful nonresistance to violence. Church of the Brethren beliefs are similar to other Anabaptist traditions, such as Mennonites and Quakers.