Christian retreat and camp center on 100+ acres in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Black Rock began in 1954 as a summer camp in Lancaster County and has evolved into a comprehensive Christian ministry center. Today it operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and strengthening His church through quality facilities, programs, and a serving staff within a refuge of God's creation. The retreat center sits on over 100 acres of wooded property in southern Lancaster County, conveniently located near Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Harrisburg. The facility accommodates up to 436 people across multiple lodging styles: the Maranatha Retreat Center with 60 hotel-style rooms, the Whip-Poor-Will Lodge sleeping up to 12, the Dogwood Motel with 12 private rooms, and bunk cabins ranging from 10 to 12 beds each. Meeting spaces include the Maranatha Dining Hall (seating 250), Oakwood Dining Hall (seating 300), and numerous conference rooms named for trees—Birchwood, Cedar, Pine, Spruce, Maplewood, and Elmwood. Black Rock serves a wide variety of groups year-round, with the exception of Christmas Day. The center hosts youth group retreats, Christian marriage retreats, men's and women's retreats, large group gatherings, and small group getaways. Customized programming allows groups to tailor their experience to specific goals. Retreat activities include high and low ropes courses, a 400-foot zipline from a 33-foot climbing tower, archery, laser tag, GPS scavenger hunts, survival skills training, creek exploration, and team-building exercises. The property features recreational facilities including a gymnasium, outdoor pool and lake (open Memorial Day through Labor Day), ball fields, sand volleyball court, hiking trails, fire circles, and a nature center with live animal displays. Beyond retreats, Black Rock runs an eight-week summer camp program serving over 1,500 youth ages 7-17 annually, an eight-week day camp program with themed activities, and outdoor education field trip programs for Christian, public, and homeschool students. The SURGE leadership program, formerly known as Discipleship & Service Crew, serves youth ages 12-17 through two-week and one-week overnight options, emphasizing service, unity, faith refinement, leadership growth, and practical equipping. Meals are prepared buffet-style with seasonal fruits and vegetables, accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies. The organization is a member of the Christian Camp and Conference Association.
Traditions: Christian faith and worship, Bible study and devotions, Team-building and leadership development, Outdoor education and environmental stewardship, Youth discipleship
Programs: Summer overnight camp, Day camp, SURGE leadership program, Youth group retreats, Christian marriage retreats, Men's and women's retreats, Outdoor education field trips, Customized group retreats