visit the official OMA web site
OMA National Conference info & registration
OUTDOOR MINISTRIES ASSOCIATION
Working together! Giving direction! Changing lives!
CLICK HERE FOR OMA NATIONAL CONFERENCE INFO & REGISTRATION!
What is
Outdoor Ministry?
Spiritual experience in an outdoor setting.
Leadership training.
Environmental education.
Growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Living together peacefully.
Conflict resolution.
Peace training.
Christian education.
Ministry training.
Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together.
Mission Statement:
Outdoor Ministries Association is an association of persons committed to the educational ministry of the Church of the Brethren camps in partnership with congregations, districts, the denomination and ecumenical groups. OMA supports the total ministry of the church including education, evangelism, peace education and stewardship of all resources.
OMA Nat’l Conference: “FILL THEIR CUPS”, Nov 17-19, 2006 at Camp Bethel
by Barry LeNoir, camp.bethel@juno.com
DIRECTOR/MANAGER/CAMP LEADERS’ 2006 RETREAT by Doug Phillips, camp@brethrenwoods.org
Mark your calendars for November 12–16 2006 (Sun-Thurs). It’s the annual OMA Manager Director retreat. Have you marked your calendar? This year’s gathering will be held at Brethren Woods in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley (Shenandoah District; Keezletown, VA). This event is open to all camp and retreat center staff. Our time together is always a good combination of professional and spiritual growth, networking and fun. Likely activities during the event include touring Brethren Woods other nearby camps and retreat centers, visiting John Kline’s grave, crafts and a service project. If you have suggestions for the planning committee be in touch with Doug Phillips at Brethren Woods. Look for a brochure coming soon via post-mail. Come on; mark your calendar!
Tell me more about OMA and Camp Bethel:
There are currently twenty-nine Church of the Brethren camps in the USA, and Camp Bethel is one of the many who participate by membership in the Outdoor Ministries Association of the Church of the Brethren. OMA serves many roles: a support network for Brethren camps; an active association of camp enthusiasts and professionals; an educational body providing programs and support to districts; and OMA provides a voice for the Church of the Brethren to the larger camping industry through the American Camp Association, the National Council of Churches camp curriculum writers, the Christian Ministries in the National Parks, and Christian Camp/Conference International.
OMA seeks to challenge and assist leaders in outdoor ministries by setting forth a vision for ministry in their camping programs. This vision seeks to help persons of all ages:
· Deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ so that they may respond to the call to total discipleship.
· Grow in their understanding of themselves and their relationships with other persons.
· Develop an awareness of God's creation and their responsibilities to care for and preserve it.
Photo taken in November 2005 at the annual OMA Leaders' Retreat.
OMA supports the outdoor ministry of the
Church of the Brethren by initiating and coordinating:
. Sharing of information, resources and expertise on issues related to outdoor ministries.
. Professional growth experiences such as national conferences and leadership training events.
. Programs and events requiring specialized leadership or resources.
. Assistance to districts and camps in determining trends, goals and priorities for their programs.
BECOME A MEMBER AND SHARE IN THIS IMPORTANT MINISTRY!
OMA membership is open to: volunteers involved in all areas of outdoor ministries; other individuals interested in outdoor ministries; Church of the Brethren camps; and professional camp staff.
As a member of OMA you will be supporting Outdoor Ministries in the Church of the Brethren, providing leadership training and professional growth for leaders within the larger church community, and supporting programs that promote stewardship of the environment.
Throughout the year you will receive newsletters as well as information concerning opportunities for conferences and trainings.
It's simple to join OMA. Just print and complete the form below and mail it, with your membership fee to:
Outdoor Ministries Association
PO Box F
Bethel, PA 19507
(Make checks payable to: Outdoor Ministries Association)
Name: ___________________________
Street: ________________________________________________
City: ______________________
State: ____________________
Zip: __________________
Phone: ______________________
E-mail: ____________________________________________
District: ___________________________
Camp: _____________________________
Fax #: ________________________
Type of Membership:
__ Individual Membership = $30
__ Family Membership = $50
__ Annual Sustaining = $120
__ Camp Professional = $150
__ Lifetime = $500
__ Gifts: _____________
since 9.28.06
Outdoor Ministries Association National Conference
November 17-19 (Fri-Sun), 2006 at Camp Bethel in Fincastle, Virginia (Virlina District)
“FILL THEIR CUPS: FOSTERING LEADERSHIP”
To receive the Conference brochure in PDF, contact camp.bethel@juno.com.
Held every three years, the OMA National Conference is for everyone: church leaders, educators, youth and children’s ministry leaders, camp staff and leaders, camp boards, Outdoor Ministries Committees & Commissions, and interested persons of all denominations. This year, the National Conference at Camp Bethel Nov 17-19 follows the OMA Director-Managers’ Retreat at Brethren Woods Nov 12-16.
Leadership development is hugely important for building tomorrow’s church. As Church Leaders and Camp Leaders we frequently encounter members, guests, students, seasonal staff and summer campers who are on the brink of becoming great leaders; their cup is almost full. When we take opportunity to add a little more - to give them the nudge they need, their potential comes spilling out and their Spiritual gifts come into fruition. Our churches, camps, schools and communities desperately need our intentional efforts to foster the growth of church leaders and camp leaders.
LEADERSHIP for 2006, “Fill Their Cups:
Fostering Leadership”:
Gene Roop – Keynote Speaker
President of Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Indiana
“Fill Their Cups: Fostering Church Leadership”
Chris Douglas – Roundtable Leader
Director of Youth and Young Adults for the Church of the Brethren General Board
“Partnering with church agencies: How we all work for Leadership Development”
Janis Pyle – Session Leader
Coordinator for Mission Connections for the Church of the Brethren General Board
“Fostering Daily Mission-Mindedness: A mature way of living and looking at life”
Paul Grout – Session Leader
Co-founder of A Place Apart
Empowerment to Live Fully: “Jesus was about reconnecting our lives to God, creation, others and ourselves. He lived within this connectedness, taught and empowered others to do the same. How can we tap into, develop and nurture the raw innermost elements of our being; resident longings of our souls that may have been knocking on the door of our consciousness for years?”
Jerri Heiser-Wenger & Rex Miller – Roundtable Leaders
(Jerri) Co-director of Camp Blue Diamond & (Rex) Director of Camp Alexander Mack
Leadership Development through Outdoor Ministry: When does it begin and how do we as camp leaders nurture its growth? A roundtable discussion about how we can foster faith formation and leadership development of our campers, staff, volunteers and boards.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Friday, Nov 17, 2006:
5:00pm Registration begins in Ark Dining Hall
6:00pm Dinner in Ark Dining Hall
7:00pm Opening Session & Welcoming
7:30pm Roundtable Discussion with Chris Douglas: Partnering for Leadership Development
8:30pm Worship, Singing & Good Night
9:00pm Optional games & snacks in Ark Dining Hall
Saturday, Nov 18, 2006:
7:00am Coffee available in Ark
8:00 Breakfast in Ark
9:30 Session with Janis Pyle: Fostering Daily Mission Mindedness
10:30 Break
11:00 Session with Paul Grout: Empowerment to Live Fully
12:00noon Break
12:30pm Lunch
1:30 Keynote Session with Gene Roop: Fill Their Cups: Fostering Church Leadership, part 1
4:00 Break & Recreation options including Camp Bethel Tour
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Keynote Session with Gene Roop: Fill Their Cups: Fostering Church Leadership, part 2
9:00 Worship, Singing & Good Night
9:30 Optional games & snacks in Ark Dining Hall
Sunday, Nov 19, 2006:
7:00am Coffee available in Ark
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Roundtable Discussion with Jerri Heiser-Wenger & Rex Miller: Leadership Development through Outdoor Ministry
10:00am Closing and Departure
You are welcome to stay at Camp Bethel through Monday morning, depending on your travel plans.
FEES:
Lodging at Camp Bethel: Friday-Sunday = $80 per person includes 5 meals, snacks, all programs, materials and 2 nights lodging.
Not lodging at Camp Bethel: Friday-Sunday = $60 per person includes 5 meals, all programs and materials; Saturday only = $40 per person includes 3 meals and Saturday programs and materials.
For lodging, children ages 4-12 are half-price. Children ages 0-3 are free. Seniors ages 70 and older are half-price.
Contact Camp Bethel at camp.bethel@juno.com for printed, post-mailed copies of the information and registration form, or to receive the conference brochure in PDF, contact camp.bethel@juno.com.
REGISTRATION FORM:
1. Name(s)
2. Sex: M / F
3. Mailing Address (street/PO, city, st, zip)
4. Phones, home & cell
5. E-mail address
6. District, Camp or Denomination represented
7. I request lodging in room with this/these persons:
8. When will you arrive (date and time)?
9. Are you participating in the Nov 12-16 Directors’ Retreat at Brethren Woods?
10. Special needs, health concerns or dietary needs.
LODGING OPTIONS: indicate your 1st and 2nd choice:
___ Private, Couples’ or Family Cottage/Room with bathroom
___ Shared bunkroom & bathroom with up to 3 others of same sex
LODGING FEES: Circle one. Multiply by # of persons. Children ages 4-12 are half-price. Children ages 0-3 are free. Seniors ages 70 and older are half-price.
A. Lodging at Camp Bethel Friday-Sunday = $80 per person.
B. Not lodging at Camp Bethel but attending Friday-Sunday = $60 per person.
C. Not lodging at Camp Bethel and attending Saturday only = $40 per person.
OTHER FEES:
A. Full set of linens: $5 each.
B. Transport to & from Roanoke Regional Airport: $10. Contact Camp Bethel with your itinerary for transport.
C. Extra night(s) at Camp Bethel: $10 per night, no meals provided: __ Nov 16; __ Nov 19; __ Nov 20. Persons attending the Nov 12-16 OMA Directors’ Retreat at Brethren Woods may lodge FREE at Camp Bethel Thursday night, Nov 16.
TOTAL FEES = $_______ (Check payable to CAMP BETHEL. Call (540) 992-2940 to pay via credit card.
Return numbered answers and all completed information:
Via e-mail to camp.bethel@juno.com.
Via post mail to CAMP BETHEL, NAT’L OMA CONFERENCE, 328 BETHEL ROAD, FINCASTLE, VA 24090.
Via fax to (540) 992-6498.
Please help spread the word about this conference. Send the text of this e-mail to those persons you think may be interested. Printed fliers and brochures will be mailed to all members of OMA (a 200+ person list). Contact Camp Bethel at camp.bethel@juno.com for printed, post-mailed copies of the information and registration form.
We hope to see YOU here at Camp Bethel for the 2006 OMA National Conference!
since 9.28.06
To receive the Conference brochure in PDF, contact camp.bethel@juno.com.