Rev. David Berkey named InsideOut Project Manager

Rev. David L. Berkey, an experience Christian camp director and a long-time member of the Inside Out curriculum development team, has been named project manager for Inside Out, the widely used summer camp resource published by Chalice Press and implemented at over 200 camps across six denominations each year.

Ordained in the United Methodist Church, Berkey’s writing, curriculum design, and leadership training have shaped generations of ministry professionals and volunteers. He recently retired as the Executive Director of Grace Outside (Michigan United Methodist Camping), capping a career of leadership, vision, and service in outdoor and retreat ministries throughout the United Methodist Church and the wider ecumenical community.

Prior to his leadership in Michigan, Berkey directed statewide camping and retreat ministries for the California-Pacific, Florida, and Eastern Pennsylvania Conferences of the United Methodist Church. He also served 15 years as a local church pastor.

Berkey led the effort to transition camp curriculum from New Earth, produced as a collaboration of the National Council of Churches, to Chalice Press in 2011. Beyond that, each summer for the past 20 years, Berkey has used InsideOut or New Earth with campers, including a middle-school camp this past summer.

Beyond his conference roles, Berkey’s national and ecumenical influence has been significant. He served as a national board member of the American Camp Association from 2010 to 2016, where he chaired the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and helped guide the organization through a major operational transition. He also chaired the Committee on Outdoor Ministries for the National Council of Churches, coordinating cross-denominational planning for 13 traditions and convening a national summit on the future of camp and retreat ministry.

A graduate of The College of Wooster, Union Theological Seminary, and Iona College, Berkey has also pursued doctoral work at Teachers College (Columbia University) and Drew University. His academic focus—faith formation, moral development, and the role of creation in spiritual growth—has been reflected throughout his career.

InsideOut Church Camp Curriculum is an annual, ecumenical resource designed to help camps and retreat centers create meaningful, faith-based summer programs for all ages. Partners from the Presbyterian Church USA, Church of the Brethren, United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ, and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) collaborate to support InsideOut, joined by representatives of the Episcopal Church, the Lutheran Church (ELCA), and Baptist communities. Published since 2011 by Chalice Press and developed by a diverse team representing six denominations, InsideOut offers biblically grounded themes, creative activities, worship outlines, and experiential learning tools that connect faith with everyday life. The curriculum emphasizes inclusion, environmental stewardship, and spiritual growth through outdoor experiences. Each year’s theme encourages campers to explore God’s presence in creation, community, and self, inspiring transformation long after camp ends.

Learn more about InsideOut at InsideOutCurriculum.com.