Nurture Faith, Share Music, and Make Friends at Ontario Mennonite Music Camp

Ontario Mennonite Music Camp is a faith-based music camp, welcoming campers aged 12-18 from Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas. The two-week music-focused experience, from August 13-25, is supported by the Mennonite Church of Eastern Canada and Conrad Grebel University College. 

While it is undeniable that OMMC is filled with fun — including campfires, ensembles, recreation games, and musical productions — the people who run the camp make all the difference. That is why Mykayla Turner and Emily Rempel have been chosen as the co-directors of the 2023 OMMC season. Among their current vocations, they are working to prepare an enriching and fun camp experience for students with musical interests. 

Mykayla graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Joint Music. During her time at Grebel, she participated in several music ensembles and was also the Student Council President. In 2019, Grebel granted Mykayla the Eby Leadership Award to acknowledge her leadership that improved the quality of community at the College. Currently, she is finishing a Master of Sacred Music degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. In a few short weeks, she will be returning to Canada to apply her skills as co-director at OMMC. "I'm most excited to introduce campers to music from a variety of sources in a supportive, community-oriented environment,” said Mykayla. 

“I am thrilled to be returning to OMMC this summer! I am even more excited to be taking on the role of co-director with Mykayla,” said Emily. She graduated from Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music degree. Since then, she has worked in music, church, and educational settings in both Kitchener and Winnipeg. For the past two years, Emily has been working at Westgate Mennonite Collegiate in Winnipeg. “My favourite part of OMMC is seeing the intersection of music, community, and play,” said Emily. She looks forward to sharing laughter, memories, and her love for music with campers this summer. 

Applications to OMMC will be accepted until August 1, 2023, as space is available. Leadership opportunities are also available for those in grade 11 or 12 who are interested in being a staff member or Leader-in-Training for the 2023 season. To register for OMMC and find further details for parents, campers, and camp counsellors, visit the information webpage.  

By Farah Jurdi