Greetings from the Directors of Omagh Bible School. As we enter into the 60th year of incorporation we trust that Camp Omagh will continue to be a useful tool for the Gospel of Christ and encouragement to the members of the area congregations. We are truly blessed for the insight of the Johnstones and for the others that have served Omagh for so many years. I would like to extend a thank you to all that have had a hand in keeping Omagh an active and vibrant force for Christ over the past 60+ years.
Omagh continues to be blessed with dedicated individuals and this year is no exception. The Board of Directors and the Program Directors are already working on plans for this summer even as the traces of winter are still with us. This year we welcome back most of the Weekly Directors from last year. We are pleased that Jamie Azzoparde from Brantford has decided to direct one of the 11-13 year-old weeks. Also, we welcome Don Rose and Brad Cook to the Teen Week directorship.
As Omagh can only function with its many supporters I ask that you remember Omagh in your prayers and financial support. The Scholarship Fund is one way that you can help give a child the gift of Christian influence through a week at Camp Omagh this summer.
Please join with us in making 2003 a successful summer for Camp Omagh in any way you can.
For the Directors, David Jaggard.
As always, the Maintenance and Projects Committee and a number of dedicated volunteers have been working hard to keep the camp facilities in great shape. Projects for this year include the replacement of windows in Faith and Knowledge, several tree plantings, more colourful bunk bed painting, the completion of the new gazebo and additional electrical hook-ups for trailers. We will also be doing some grass seeding and landscaping at the front of Johnston Hall to try and make things a little greener there this year. Please feel free to contact Mark Heuston, Tim Page, Patrick Hunter- Buffington or David Jaggard if you’re interested in getting involved in any of these projects.
Camp Omagh has a new website with a fresh new look. The site was rebuilt with the aim of creating a website that would be more informative and useful. In the past, the only form of information we had about camp was in the camp brochure. With a website, we can distribute considerably more information and always keep it current and relevant. The information on the site will give visitors a good picture of what the camp is, how it all started, and who the people are that support it. So if anyone ever asks you for information about Camp Omagh, you no longer have to search for a brochure. You can just have them visit www.campomagh.org
The site contains a lot of information as well as some fun stuff. You can now have a piece of camp on your computer with our desktop wallpaper. The site also contains all of the brochures for each of our summer programs, which can be easily downloaded for printing. There is also a section that details the history of camp and tells what camp was like in “the good old days”. We have created a page that is specifically for our volunteer summer staff. It contains numerous links to websites that may be useful for planning activities, crafts, skits and bible classes. Rather than tell you about the whole site, we invite you to visit the new website and see it for yourself. The official launch date is April 1st. We hope you enjoy it and welcome any feedback you may have at info@campomagh.org
This year’s conference is scheduled for Saturday, May 24th, 2003, at the Bramalea Church of Christ. The workshop will run from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and will include such topics as all-camp activities, effective counselling and idea sharing. It should be an informative and exciting time. All directors’ summer staff are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information or to registration call 1-905-455-3091 or send an email to boardsecretary@campomagh.org.
A non-profit organization like Camp Omagh is dependent upon the generosity of its members, volunteers and friends to keep things running smoothly. The long hours of volunteer labour, the heart-felt prayers, the sharing of ideas and the financial support are all critical to a healthy camp.
The board is grateful to the many supporters of the camp and encourages all existing corporation members to renew their memberships this year. Members now have the option of renewing their memberships for one, two or three year terms. The fees are as follows:
Single Couple
1 Year $10.00 $15.00
2 Year $18.00 $28.00
3 Year $25.00 $40.00
Please encourage any friends or family that are interested in Camp Omagh but not yet corporation members to join this year. Forms are available on our website.
The Counsellor in Training (CIT) Program is being offered this year during the first week of our youth program. Scott Mansfield will be providing a structured training program to help develop our future counsellors. Only ten CITs will be chosen from all those who apply. Those wishing to be involved should contact Scott at 4209 College Drive, Apt. A, Beamsville, Ontario, L0R 1B6 (905-563-9674) or by email at scott.mansfield@sympatico.ca.
Did you know that camp has a display board that can be used during special programs at your local congregations? If your congregation is planning an event where you would like to promote Camp Omagh, please contact Howie Taylor at (905) 830-0381 or by email at h.taylor@sympatico.ca and he will arrange to have the board sent to you. As you know, we have many great summer programs and we appreciate your help in advertising them in your area.
Volunteers working with the camp every spring and summer remain the lifeblood of an organization like Camp Omagh. Without volunteers like you, the camp could not exist. Fortunately we never run out of opportunities. Feel free to join us during June weekends as we prepare camp for the summer. Contact Mark Heuston at (519) 684-6786 for more specific details. If you wish to volunteer for one of the camp weeks, call Dave Jaggard at 905-527-7399 and he will connect you with the correct person.
The Board for 2003 is being capably led by David Jaggard as President, with Mark Heuston and Brad Cook serving as Vice-Presidents. Other directors on the board are Gord Azzoparde, Patrick Hunter-Buffington, Howie Taylor, Russ Walker, Debbie Whittington, Eartha Zila and A.D. Fleming. Serving with the Board are Elaine Gray (Board Secretary), Karen Hooper (Camp Secretary) and Paul Craig (Treasurer). If you wish to reach any of the board members, please contact the Elaine Gray, at 905-387-5680 or by email at boardsecretary@campomagh.org.
Have you heard about the 20’s Weekend that has been taking place at camp for the past five summers? Well, it is now an official camp program. Last year the program grew to almost 60 campers. We are hoping that the program will continue to grow and we are requesting your help. Take a look around your congregation and see if there is anyone who is in their twenties and unmarried. If so, encourage them to register for the program because it is a great place to meet people who are at the same stage of life as they are. The weekend is scheduled for July 4-6 and our speaker this year will be Don Smith of the Beamsville Church of Christ. Brochures will soon be mailed to your local congregation and will be available on the camp’s website. For more information on the weekend, please email 20sweekend@campomagh.org or visit the 20’s Weekend Website at 20s.campomagh.org
The Bible Fund, Scholarship Fund, and Neil Hart Memorial Fund continue to provide children with the opportunity to hear about God. Please continue to give to these worthwhile efforts. Contributions can be mailed to Elaine Gray at: 163 Wendover Drive, Hamilton, Ontario L9C 5X6
20’s Weekend (July 4-6)
Brad Cook
Speaker: Don Smith, Beamsville Church of Christ
Prime Timers (July 8-11)
Walter Straker & Mark Heuston
Topic: 2 Timothy – Ministry in the Prime of Life
Week 1 (ages 7-9) (July 13-19)
Scott Mansfield
Week 2 (ages 8-10) (July 20-26)
George Mansfield
Week 3 (ages 11-13) (July 27 – Aug. 2)
Michael Toohey
Singspiration (August 3)
Bob Sandiford
Family Week (August 3-9)
Dwayne Williams
Theme: Christian Service
Week 4 (ages 11-13) (August 10-16)
Jamie Azzoparde
Teen Week (August 17-24)
Don Rose & Brad Cook
Sharpening the Sword (Aug. 29–Sept. 1)
Max Craddock
Topic: The book of Romans
www.campomagh.org • info@campomagh.org