CAMP NEWS

The last “Escape to Emmaus” activity day of the year at Camp Emmaus will be “Earth Tones: A Creative Songwriting & Poetry Workshop,” Dec. 13, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. (cost $15). Watch the website for news on upcoming events in the series. The activities are open to all ages. See more and register at www.campemmaus.org. 

A large group, including some youth who came for a weekend retreat, took part in Camp Emmaus’ fall leaf-raking day on a very mild Nov. 15 to make quick work of all the leaves in the camp’s main programming area. The camp continues to have groups using its winterized facilities through the year. 

Camp Emmaus has announced its 2026 summer camp dates:

May 22-25: Memorial Day Family Camp

June 12-14: Counselor-in-Training (CIT)

June 13-14: Elementary Camp

June 14-17: Target Sports Camp

July 5-11: Senior High Camp

July 12-18: Survivor Camp

July 19-23: Intermediate Camp

July 24-26: Young Adult/Young at Heart Camp

July 26- Aug. 1: Middle School Camp

August 6-8: Women's Camp

September 4-7: Labor Day Weekend Family Camp

Learn more at www.campemmaus.org. 

From Camp Emmanuel: “We had a wonderful 77th year at Camp Emmanuel! Thank you to our camp managers, directors, counselors, and volunteers for all your time and hard work. You are the ones who keep Camp Emmanuel running and make it possible for us to fulfill our mission of sharing God's message and love with children of all ages through the beauty and wonder found in nature. Campers - We hope you had an amazing time with us and will return next year to see old friends, make new ones, and continue to have fun and grow in the Lord.”

Camp Emmanuel has also announced its revised 2026 schedule:

May 29-31: Women's Camp 

June 5-7: Pre-Junior Camp 

June 7-13: Middle School Camp 

June 16-20: Junior Camp 

June 25-28: High School Camp 

July 10-12: Mommy and Me

July 13-17: Day Camp 

August 7-9: Men's Camp 

September 4-7: Family Camp 

Learn more at www.campem.com.

The 2026 OMA “InsideOut” camp curriculum will be titled “In the Wilderness.” An introduction to the theme notes: “Wilderness is a time or place where we encounter what is new, strange, scary, lonely, unknown or mysterious. The wilderness is a wild and beautiful time and place where we can discover the sacred within each person and all creation. … The wilderness reveals our strengths, growing edges, and potential as God equips us for the unknown still to come. The wilderness awaits us all, and God meets us there.” The annual InsideOut curriculum is a partnership between the Church of the Brethren and a variety of other denominations for use in outdoor ministry. Learn more at https://insideoutcurriculum.com/. 

The 2025 Church of the Brethren Outdoor Ministries Association (OMA) national conference took place Nov. 16-20 at Inspiration Hills near Burbank, Ohio, with the theme “Campfire Conversations.” The keynote speaker Travis Troyer was from Off the Wall Discipleship. Also from OMA, the organization has a new t-shirt and hoodie fundraiser to help raise money for environmental grants. The gear comes in several different styles and colors. The front features a modernized version of the classic OMA logo, and the back lists all the OMA camps. Go to www.bonfire.com/2025-oma-shirt-fundraiser.