Upcoming Events

Though summer is coming to an end, there are still lots of fall events at Berachah that will keep families busy.

A student learns rocketry at LakeView

Next Wednesday, August 25, we will be having an Open House for Berachah Club, our before and after school program. It's a great opportunity to meet the staff and tour the facilities. We are currently enrolling for 2010-2011 Berachah Club AND our on-site childcare at Lakeview Elementary.

Labor Day is just around the corner! Looking for some family fun at a low price? Check out our Labor Day Family Work Camp.

Parent-Child trail rides are also a lot of fun. Saturdays at noon, the program includes a trail ride, ground school, lunch and indoor swimming.

Our fall seniors retreat is a great place for those over 50 to come enjoy music, fellowship, and great speakers!

 We invite fathers and sons to Buck Creek during the first weekend of October for our annual Father-Son Retreat. This year's theme is Knights for the King, and the schedule is packed with fun activities for the knights and squires!

We'll end October with our annual OCTOBLAST family friendly Halloween alternative. There will be lots of carnival games, giveaways, and fun for everyone! This event is FREE and open to the community.

We hope to see you soon!

Staff Spotlight: "Harmony" Wallace

Harmony has spent seven summers in the Valley of Blessing. She first came to Berachah for a Girl Scout retreat when she was 9, and returned as a camper when she was 12. Since then she's worked her way up from a camper to a CIT, then a Junior Counselor, and this year served as a Counselor and worship band leader.

Harmony leading fireside worship

Harmony is one of those great counselors who will do anything for her campers, especially when it comes to raising money for Camp Gilead. This year alone she has spiked her hair with lime Jell-O, squished a banana all over her body, painted her face for a field trip, and (a real crowd pleaser) had "ooze" made up of rotting bread, oatmeal, and mud thrown at her.

Harmony getting "oozed" by her campers

The campers love Harmony

When asked what her favorite thing is about Camp Berachah, this was Harmony's response:

"This is a tough one. I love how every year surprises me. I go into the ministry each year thinking 'Ohhh man, I am so stoked to have the chance to minister to young kids again this year.' But then my mind is blown when a camper says something wise beyond his or her years and it sticks with me. It's amazing how I start out thinking I'm going to teach the kids about Christ because in reality, they're teaching us just as much."

She also decided that picking ONE favorite thing was too difficult, so she added another:

"The fellowship that accompanies working with a team of Christians is incredible. I've made life-long friends and I've strengthened my spiritual network tenfold by being involved at Berachah for so long. Each person that I've met and worked with here has affected me in some way, and I am so grateful for that."

We are very blessed to have Harmony on our staff. Her sense of responsibility and strong faith makes her a great role model. Harmony is returning to University of Puget Sound for her sophomore year, meaning her time with us is over for Summer 2010, but knowing what a big role Camp Berachah has played in her life, we will probably be seeing her again soon.

What Are You Doing For Labor Day?

Why not spend the weekend with friends and family at Camp Berachah's Labor Day Family Work Camp?! This year we will be working up at Buck Creek, prepping the grounds for our winter ministries. As usual, we work hard and play hard, mixing work projects with recreational activities and family friendly devotions. It only costs $25 a person to cover meals, and is always a great time! It's a great opportunity to serve with your family, right here in Washington. You can register online at www.campb.org.