As an important part of Conrad Grebel University College’s mission to serve church and society, the College offers numerous opportunities for community education. In addition to its academic programs, public lectures, and research, Grebel hosts two children’s camps each summer: Peace Camp and Ontario Mennonite Music Camp. Building on the College’s signature programs of peace and music, Grebel works with community partners and volunteer leaders to create opportunities for children to learn peace building skills and to stretch their musical abilities.
Thirty-three years ago, Marie Penner worked with Conrad Grebel College to establish Ontario Mennonite Music Camp (OMMC). Fittingly, Marie was invited to direct congregational singing at the camp’s 2016 final concert on August 25. Since its inception, OMMC has welcomed 12-16 year olds who love music – pairing exceptional musical instruction with traditional camp activities for two weeks each year at Grebel. Year after year, campers have found a safe and supportive community to explore their love of music, strengthen their leadership skills, and deepen their faith.
This year’s 25 music campers enjoyed master classes, choir, wacky theme meals, jam sessions, secret gifts, chapel, and nightly campfires, plus a service project. The campers worked diligently to pull together and perform the musical Godspell, directed by by Anneli Loepp Thiessen. OMMC also presented music for worship at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church on the Sunday morning.
OMMC is a program hosted at Conrad Grebel University and is supported by Mennonite Church Eastern Canada.
Throughout the week of August 8, 31 youth across the Waterloo Region ages 11-14 gathered at Conrad Grebel University College for Peace Camp. The Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement’s fifth annual day camp was once again packed with exciting activities with a peace and social justice spin to encourage youth to inspire lives, strengthen ties, and make peace happen in Waterloo Region.
This year’s theme, “peace in action,” was chosen with the intent to empower campers to apply their skills and passions for peace. The goal was to combat the idea that peace is abstract and lofty, and to communicate in practical ways that peace can often be within our own power to promote. Each day brought campers new reasons to believe this was true.
In the words of one camper, “This week I learned that there are a lot of people trying to create peace, like people at MCC who inspired me to volunteer somewhere next year.” Another camper said, “I learned that you can do small things to be peaceful, even though we usually think about the big things.”
“Creating an environment in which we can open our minds to learn from each other, to build peace and to work for justice is incredibly important,” observed Rebekah DeJong, this year’s Peace Camp Director. “How lucky we are to have the youth of today valuing, partaking in, and creating that environment. An environment which builds better communities and creates more peaceful citizens.”
Thanks to the support of a five-year grant from the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation and ongoing sponsorship from Kindred Credit Union, Josslin Insurance, and the Kitchener Waterloo Community Fund, Peace Camp was able to provide 14 campers with subsidized registration.
