To me, OMMC is like a second home. The second I walked into the Conrad Grebel building, I was greeted by exceptionally cheerful and welcoming staff. The campers were very kind as well. At camp, I learned to play music better and my social skills grew. OMMC was a highlight of my year.
by Jean-Marc, first year camper
Mealtimes are a favourite time of day, with Grebel’s phenomenal food and the fill-the-table tradition that gets everyone to converse with some people they might not have talked to before. And, of course, music fills every day, with choirs and ensembles to have fun building our skills together. In the evening, we have small groups, where we gather in little contingents with our counselors and have discussions around faith with our peers. Each small group also leads one of our daily morning chapels, building leadership and worship planning skills. OMMC builds faith, musical skills, leadership skills, and most of all, good, strong people to lead our world into the next generations.
by Mattea, 2nd year camper
When I was 12 years old, my mom signed me up for a summer camp that ran over the course of 2 weeks on the campus of Conrad Grebel University College. I genuinely had no idea what to expect. Come the first day, I sat down on the patio with all the other campers and families, and sang hymns. Despite feeling like everyone else knew each other, I had no idea how much the people at this camp would impact my life. As the week went on, I kept getting these happy surges through my body. I was so lost in this amazing world that I’d only just found out about now. I’d barely known these people for a week and yet I felt like I’d known them forever. But the part that struck me the most was the sense of inclusion I felt among everyone there. Whether it was during recreational time, playing gaga ball or intense scavenger hunts. Ensembles, where I got to play music with so many other amazing musicians. And during meals, having conversations that I would have been too shy to bring up to any of my school friends. The big picture for me was that no one seemed alone, ever. I can’t emphasise how much this was different from my everyday life. OMMC is where I found some of my greatest friends; my people. The people that let me be me. This camp will always have a place in my heart, even after my final year. OMMC is truly a place that changed my life in so many ways that I can’t even describe. That’s why I encourage you to come and try it yourself. After all, there's not many places where you get live music while trying to take a shower.
By Jaren, 3rd year camper from Waterloo Region
I decided to go to OMMC because some of my friends had been there and they said that they’d always really liked it. I really enjoyed our small group because I got to know those people better: we sat around and talked and there was a Bible verse we read together. We also had time to reflect about the verse or how camp was going so far. At OMMC there was also time to be with the bigger group, at meals, choir, rec and chapel. My favourite thing about the meals was the conversation. No matter where you sit you will always have fun and get to know people better. In Rec we played fun games and for the second week we got into teams and competed in wacky games.
I also loved the musical because even though I didn’t get the biggest part it was super fun to act and watch the whole show come together. Plus the choreo was awesome. Another thing I loved about OMMC was that everybody hung out together no matter what age they were. No matter who I was with at OMMC I always felt I belonged. We had chapel every morning and it was always very early but I loved singing with people because we got to do different songs, like “Oceans”. It taught me God is always there with me even if it gets tough. I think that OMMC is kind of a combination between church and music. I loved OMMC.
by Julia - 1st year camper from Waterloo Region
“I hated OMMC,” declared Tobias, a grade 11 camper. “For the first three minutes, that is. It’s scary going to a camp you don’t know, with people you don’t know. But all my fears vanished when I was immediately welcomed into a community I cherish to this day, over four years later. You just feel like you fit in for who you are.”
by Tobias, a 4th year camper
OMMC Counsellors
