07/07/2023
Greetings friend!
I hope you are having a great start to your summer and that this letter finds you well! Many of you have reached out and inquired about Camp Wild 2023 and I wanted to give you an update. For those of you whose children are involved in our school year ministries, such as the monthly Small Groups and Crew Student Leadership Training, you are likely aware of these changes. Camp Wild will not be running for the summer of 2023. Lord willing, the camp will be back in 2024.
Since I was a young child, I have spent all of my summers at Camp Wild. Back then it was called Conoco Day Camp. After growing up as a camper, I began helping out as an assistant counselor at age 12. When I was in my early 20’s I became the Assistant Director, and in my late 20’s I became the Director. For the past 34 years, my summers have been spent in the Trinity Center and at our campground along the Conococheague Creek. In all, I have worked at the Hope Center for 24 years, 19 of them with Wildside Youth Ministries.
Over these past 24 years I have seen thousands of children and teens come through our door and hear about the life changing message of Jesus Christ. In the past 24 years, we have hosted 410 days of camp, over 130 parties/outreach events, over 215 Crew meetings, over 185 Sunday Night Wild gatherings, 57 Small Group meetings, 15 Sunday Rawks services, and countless other gatherings and community outreach events.
This summer, I am stepping down from my position as Director to work full time as Lead Pastor of the church I attend. I am grateful that God allowed me to be a vessel here at Wildside for so many years. Thank you for sending your children to Camp Wild! It’s been an honor and a privilege to be entrusted with the safety of your children, to give them great summer memories, and most importantly to teach them about Jesus Christ crucified, risen, and coming again. In the end, it’s all about Jesus.
Eternally wild about Jesus,
Adrian T. Black
