"Camp is open!" exclaimed Peter Fiorello, executive director of Black Rock Retreat (BRR).

Located on 100 acres of woodland in southern Lancaster County, BRR is a nonprofit Christian camp that has been running since 1954. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, BRR was forced to cancel the first three weeks of camp.

"Once we reopened, we served roughly 600 kids with no cases (of COVID), which was a miracle," said Fiorello. "Parents were begging us to stay open."

Camp will be open for eight weeks this summer beginning Sunday, June 13. Overnight camp will be available for students in grades two through 12, and day camp will be open to children in grades one through six. BRR offers financial assistance and awards scholarships every year so that underprivileged children can go to camp. Registration opened in December 2020.

"Registration is filling up, which is great to see!" said Fiorello. "In spite of everything, we had a great summer last year, so we're hoping to go back to normal in some capacity this summer."

For the first time ever, BRR has partnered with the semiprofessional Christian soccer team the Charlotte Eagles. BRR will host a soccer day camp this summer for children in grades one through eight from Monday to Friday, July 26 to 30.

"The Charlotte Eagles do ministry work in the States and overseas, so we're really fortunate that some of the trainers will come here to work with the kids," said Fiorello.

Fiorello has served as executive director of BRR for almost four years. Some of his main goals include casting vision for the future, fundraising, and creating new ministry opportunities.

"I've been in camp ministry as an executive director for over 20 years," noted Fiorello. "I started in upstate New York at a small camp and served with Youth for Christ, where I did inner city work. I was also in New Hampshire at a camp for seven years, and then I came here."

BRR now offers a gap year program called "South Bound" for recent high school graduates to spread the Gospel to children in South America. Students accepted into the program will train for four months at BRR and then serve in southern Chile for two months. In addition to this experience, students will receive hands-on learning and certifications, such as high ropes training, first aid/CPR, and others.

"We're trying to design it where it is very affordable for students," explained Fiorello. "It's a really great opportunity."

In addition to summer camp, BRR will host its fourth Run the Rock Trail Run on Saturday, May 15. Registration for the event will close Friday, April 16. BRR will also host its first Run Walk Ride and auction on Saturday, June 12, with registration closing on Friday, May 21.

"We have a lot here at Black Rock," said Fiorello. "We're blessed with great facilities, amazing food, and awesome staff."

For more information about BRR, visit http://www.brr.org or call 717-964-4088.