News & Updates

When Emma arrived at Black Diamond Camp as a first-time camper at 13, she had no idea the impact that Camp would have on her future. Emma grew up a very shy kid, who, upon her mother’s prompting, attended camp with Federal Way Four-Square. Her family did not attend church regularly, so she did not know anyone at camp. She quickly found herself out of her comfort zone. Emma remarked, “I hated it. I was a loner and just wanted ...

2026 marks the 30th year of The Lights of Christmas! To celebrate this significant milestone, Warm Beach Camp Ministries is excited to announce that this year will be a primarily walking experience! God has faithfully led the ministry through every change of the event over the past 30 years. Kayla Castiglione, The Lights of Christmas Director, explained, “Grateful is the first word that comes to mind. The Lord has provided us with the means to adapt and remain open to ...

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to ...

When Judy Lang retired — for the second time — she didn’t imagine she’d find herself hauling mail, cleaning mini golf courses, or pressure washing sidewalks. What she really didn’t expect was to discover a new calling that would fill her days with purpose, friendship, and laughter. “I didn’t even know you could live full-time in an RV,” Judy said with a laugh. “And I didn’t know people volunteered at Christian camps!” That moment of curiosity — sparked by a ...

Warm Beach Horsemanship’s Equine Professional Apprentice Program (EPA Program) in Stanwood, WA will be accepting applications next month (March) for its third session! The program’s objective is to provide young horsemen who aspire to be equine professionals, ample training and educational opportunities, along with varying experiences in the field. The Warm Beach Horsemanship’s mission is, to provide transformational experiences of the love and truth of God through horses, riding, and horse-related activities. In keeping with this mission, apprentices in this ...

“And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.” Ephesians 5:21-22 and Ephesians 5:25-26 NLT Reflection The focus of the writing today is for husbands. In chapter 4, Paul transitions the conversation of ...

It is no secret that Warm Beach Camp serves as a space bringing fated couples together. In light of it being Valentine’s Day, the ministry would like to highlight a particular couple: Kristi and Stephen Blue. For these two, their journey began long ago. Kristi’s grandfather, WJ McMullen, was the first Director of Warm Beach Camp, followed by her dad, Kevin, who was a lifeguard, and her mother, Pat, who worked in the snack shop and bookstore during summers. Stephen’s ...

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or ...

As we look back on this past year of 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible transformation we’ve witnessed—within our staff, our students, our horses, and our community. This has been a year marked by intentional growth, renewed purpose, and a deepening commitment to the mission that drives our horse program. At the heart of our program is a mission: to provide transformational experiences of the love and truth of God through horses, riding, and horse related activities. This ...

Where there is good water, life is abundant. Jesus Christ describes himself as the source of living water that satisfies and fulfills life in ways nothing else can. Living Waters beautifully describes what God is providing and doing through Warm Beach Camp Ministries. Coming to one of our three Camps is coming to an experience where the living waters of Christ are shared freely with everyone. This is where the Holy Spirit draws people to the love of the Father ...

We are called as followers of Christ to go out into the world as disciples for the Lord. This is clearly stated after Jesus rose from the tomb, “Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. ...

Jesus’ birth was a time of fulfilled hope, transcendent gratitude, and the rejoicing of a long-awaited miracle. Sprinkled throughout the ages, regardless of any Christmas tradition, the true meaning of celebrating this season has been divinely anchored to the feelings of those who witnessed Jesus’ birth. All of us can recall the sweet anticipation of Christmas morning as a child, the traditions passed down from one generation to the next, and the shared meals with loved ones gathered around a ...

May I ask you a couple of questions? Who is a person that you are close to? How do you interact with each other? For me, the person I am closest to is Bev. We have been married for 44 years and counting. Our interaction has many expressions. It ranges from profound conversation to working on a project. There is laughter and joy. There are times of sorrow and comfort. We pray together. We help carry each other’s load. We ...

Sitting down with The Lights of Christmas Manager, Kayla Castiglione, she reflected on the event’s journey over the last several years, “When looking at the last 29 years of The Lights of Christmas there are many moments the event grew. Some of the moments were natural growth, like adding more lights every year or introducing new displays and activities for people to enjoy at the event. Other moments of growth were forced, like pivoting to a different format during a ...

Emma joined the Horsemanship program two years ago, at the age of ten. Like many children her age, she is still discovering who she is and learning what she is capable of. Middle and high school can be a challenging time, with constant pressure to compare oneself to others. Confidence and anxiety are major issues for kids today, and social media often keeps them indoors, limiting opportunities to develop real-world skills. What began as a simple love for horses has ...

Hay harvest is a highlight of the late summer season at Warm Beach Horsemanship (WBH). Haying season brings together members of past and present WBH team members, volunteers, family, and pony clubbers to achieve the ambitious goal of moving literal tons of hay from fields to the hay barn. This effort necessitates many moving parts from hay cutting, raking, baling, picking, stacking, driving, re-stacking and managing. All hands are needed, welcome, and valued. It feels natural to reflect on just ...

During the month of December, Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center transforms into a beacon of light and hope, drawing thousands of individuals from all walks of life to enjoy the festive atmosphere of The Lights of Christmas. Every detail of The Lights of Christmas, from over one million lights and dazzling displays to the larger-than-life Nativity scene and the kind hospitality of event staff, hints toward something more miraculous at work behind the scenes. Last year, while working down ...

“Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” Galatians 3:2-3 NLT What is it with us? Why are we so willing to substitute ourselves in for the ...

In today’s fast-paced world, anxiety can easily overwhelm us, leaving us feeling depleted and disconnected. Between work pressures, family responsibilities, and societal expectations, finding a peaceful place to slow down and quiet the mind can seem nearly impossible. However, there are sacred spaces—places where the noise fades, and we can reconnect with God and find peace. Where God’s Presence Feels Near One of the Warm Beach Camp staff members shared, "For over three decades, one of my most cherished sacred ...

Every winter, The Lights of Christmas in Stanwood, Washington, transforms Warm Beach Camp into a breathtaking winter wonderland — a place where over a million twinkling lights illuminate the night sky, joyful music fills the air, and hearts are warmed by the true meaning of Christmas. But behind the magic lies something even more beautiful: the hundreds of volunteers who make it all possible. Volunteering at The Lights of Christmas isn’t just an opportunity to give back — it’s an ...