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 |