Young Ringers Camp

Date: June 20-22, 2025  Friday-Sunday

Location: Camp Omega – Waterville, Minnesota

Clinician: Bonnie Tranby

 

 

Young Ringers Camp (YRC) is held every odd-numbered year in Area 7

A fun-filled event with an exciting tower climbing, mud hole fun, swimming, paddle boat, games, learning and HANDBELL RINGING – all done in a safe Christian environment. For ringers 4th-8th grade (or other grades at the discretion of their directors). Less than full choirs are welcome to attend.

Participants arrive having rehearsed three of the four event songs, and ready to learn an additional song while at Camp. A clean, air conditioned retreat lodge is the home for this event, with designated areas separating genders. Space is limited, so plan to register as soon as open registration is announced. A typical event schedule is to arrive Friday at 1:00PM, and ends with a closing concert on Sunday at 11:00AM open to parents, relatives, friends and other campers.

Public free concert at 11:00am Sunday

 

 

QUICK VIEW

Location & Date:
June 20-22, 2025
Camp Omega – Waterville, Minneosta

Cost:
$225 per ringer and director.
$200 per chaperone
Includes air conditioned lodging and 5 delicious meals. Lots of ringing and playing!

Registrar:
[email protected],

Target age group: 4th-12th grade. Directors can deviate at their own discretion.

  • Registration detail will appear here as it becomes available. There will be two scholarships available for this event.
  • Each registrant will participate in a Service Project. See inside pages for more details.

Ringers & Directors

$225
Space is limited so register early.
You do not need a full choir to attend Camp

Chaperones & Non-Ringers

$200
One adult chaperone* is needed for every six ringers under 18.

Registration fees include modern air conditioned lodging and five nutritious meals.

YRC Registration Form:  Will be posted here in February, 2025

  • The air conditioned lodge is divided into male and female sections.
  • You must have the correct number of gender-specific chaperones for your group.

Fee includes, including for chaperones:

  • YRC activities—tower climbing, mud hole, swimming, paddle boat, indoor and outdoor games
  • Meals—Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, campfire snack, Sunday breakfast
  • Official YRC T-shirt

YRC Refund Policy

Requests for refunds for Young Ringers Camp registration cancellations will be processed upon receipt in writing or by email until
June 1, 2025, less a $25 administrative fee per registrant. Cancellations made after June 1 for any reason (including medical issues, family emergencies, etc.) are not refundable. If one of your registrants drops out, you are welcome to substitute a new ringer in your registration to take their place. We can accommodate T-shirt size changes until June 1st.

For more information and fundraising ideas, contact Jessica Haeder, Youth Events Planner.

Three pieces have been selected and are listed below.
A fourth piece will be chosen in the Spring of 2025. All four pieces must be purchased by the participating choirs.
However, come to camp with only these three rehearsed.
Directors may mark the fourth piece, but do not review it with your ringers, as it will be taught at camp.

BROTHER JAMES’ AIRE – Kathleen Wissinger RE3018 3-5octaves, L2-  includes Singing Bell and optional Bell Tree

FIRST PRAISE – Bill Ingram  CGB940  2-3 or 5oct  L1

MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE – Jeffrey Honore     3oct version: HP2787    or    3-5oct version: HP2828  L1+

The title of the 4th piece will be posted here after February, 2025.

 

YRC SOLO PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY

Each participating choir is encouraged to prepare one or more solo pieces to perform at the Sunday closing concert.
The solo does not necessarily have to be a handbell composition. Be creative!
Check to indicate your interest on the registration form and more information will be sent to you.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Area 7 respects copyright laws and will strictly enforce them during all Area-sponsored events. The use of photocopied music is
NOT allowed unless written permission from the copyright holder accompanies each photocopy. Recording the sounds, or
sounds and images, of the musical performances is not permitted. Any such recording is in violation of the Copyright Act (17
U.S.C. §1101).

 

What to Bring to Camp

• Campfire songs to share
• Meal Blessings to share
• Games (lawn & board) to share
• Pillow and Sleeping bag
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, towel, comb/brush, (hairdryer), etc.
• Pants: long & short
• Shirts: long and short-sleeved
• Underwear
• Tennis shoes
• Raincoat and/or Sweatshirt
• Swimsuit, Towel and goggles, if desired
Sunscreen and Bug spray
• Money for Camp Store
• Refillable water bottle
• Munchie snacks and beverages for your own group.
• Mark all items with your name on them

 

BONNIE TRANBY

Bonnie hails from Eagan, MN.  Between church work and public education, she has been working with youth for over 30 years.  She currently rings with her church group, the Calvary Carillons and Twin Cities Bronze, a professional ensemble out of the Twin Cities.  She directs an adult ensemble at St. Thomas Becket Catholic Community and 3 youth ensembles at Shepherd of the Valley in Apple Valley.  She is newly retired from public education

 

Helping Hands From Handbells

As a way to give back to our community, everyone attending Young Ringers Camp will take part in a Service Project.
This event’s Service Project will be posted here.

Schedule of Activities – tentative

FRIDAY – June 20, 2025 TENTATIVE

1:00-2:00pm Move in to the Dorms; Set up bell equipment in Lodge
2:30-3:00 Welcome to Camp, etc.
3:00-4:00 Climbing Tower
3:30-4:30 Tomahawk Throwing
4:30-5:30 Canoeing, Kayaking
5:30-6:00 Dinner, Provided
6:15-6:45 Get to Know Each Other activities
6:45-8:00 Rehearsal
8:15-10:00 Movie with popcorn, crafts
10:00 Lights out.

 

SATURDAY – June 21, 2025 TENTATIVE

8:00-8:30am Breakfast, provided
8:30-9:45 Rehearsal
9:45-11:00 Gaga Ball, 9 Square
11:00-12:00 Rehearsal
12:00-12:30pm Lunch, provided
12:45-2:15 Service Project
2:15-3:15 Mud Pit activity
3:15-4:15 Swimming
4:30-5:15 Rehearsal
5:30-6:00 Dinner, provided
6:15-7:00 Trading Post (store) open
6:15-8:30 Gaga Ball, 9 Square, Games, etc.
8:30-9:30 Campfire: S’mores, skits, songs
10:00 Lights Out

 

SUNDAY – June 22 TENTATIVE

8:00-8:45am Breakfast, provided
8:45-9:45 Concert run through
9:45-10:40 Pack & clean rooms, Dress in YRC T-shirt
10:40-10:50 Group Photo
10:50 All in place for the concert
11:00-11:30 Concert, free and open to the public
11:30 Pack-up and head for home