Become a Camas Companion!

We’re delighted to announce the official launch of Camas Companions! The community of one-time and regular supporters whose gifts of money, time and talent will ensure the amazing work that Camas has done for the groups and individuals who need it most can continue.  

Camas offers something quite irreplaceable. The work of engaging young people with respect, openness and honesty in such a beautiful setting is quite unique.  By becoming a Camas Companion you will help ensure that the people who come to Camas, whether young people, staff, visitors or group leaders will continue to have the life changing experience that Camas offers.

The Camas Bell

The Camas Bell represents something special in the memories of those who visit Camas. For those who haven’t been, it’s a large bell on top of a pole in Camas Bay. For a really long time it was rung to call folk to gather for food, for reflections, for activities, for fun! The bell hung where the anchor is now – between the two buildings. In time the anchor replaced the bell as the clanging sound to gather, but the bell became far from redundant. Its new purpose was to preoccupy and delight. The bell became a target to be hit with a rock. A fun activity on the Camas shore, that even now is the first thing that folk often run to do when they arrive at Camas.

And we think the bell serves as a helpful metaphor for this Camas Companions campaign.

And we still need to hit the target of £75,000 to fix the roof and make other essential repairs. We’re well on our way to the £75,000 (thank you!) but still accepting one time donations for that.

It’s the regular donations target that we really need to hit. This is our Camas Bell. Pick up your rock of choice folks and we’ll meet you on the Camas foreshore! Metaphorically at least.

This is what we’re aiming for:

2084 Camas Companions to give £5/month
OR
1042 Camas Companions to give £10/ month
OR
298 Camas Companions to give £35/month
You get the idea.

But any and all regular donations will be much appreciated to help ensure this exceptional centre is once again the place of transformation for all who spend time there.

Let’s keep the Camas bell ringing. Set up your pledge/ standing order today!

What you’ll receive as a Camas Companion

🔔 An invitation to an online Camas Companions ceilidh, coming soon from the Chapel of the Nets at Camas.

🔔 Regular Camas Companions updates from Down the Track – beginning with progress on both fundraising and maintenance!

🔔 An invitation to the Camas reopening – you can come and hit the Camas bell for yourself!

🔔 And by becoming a Camas Companion you’ll find out the story behind the Camas Bell. (Shhhhh those who know, we want folk to join…)

🔔 And more…this will be the community we all make it, so bring your best ideas and contributions to the Camas comeback! Send your suggestions here: [email protected]

How to become a Camas Companion

We’d love to have your support with a pledge for up to five years.

There are a range of ways to donate and support Camas:

• Make a direct one-time payment by credit or debit card
• Set up a Standing Order – you’ll need to contact your bank directly to do that and please let us know your plans so we can make sure your donation is correctly assigned
• Make a bank transfer which can also work for international donations

The Camas Companions bank account is with Virgin Money:
Account Name: Iona Community
Sort Code: 82 20 00
Account Number: 901 712 21

Please use as a reference last name, first initial or name  / Camas

If you’re in the USA, please send a check payable to:
Iona Community New World Foundation to:
MTG Accounting
c/o Maria Guevara – Iona Community New World Foundation
3119 Route 611
Bartonsville, PA 18321

Please make your donation or set up your pledge by clicking the button below:

Please contact us if you have any questions or need any support with your donation [email protected]

One more thing

If you know someone who loves Camas, or who would love it if they only knew it existed, please tell them about Camas Companions. Forward this e-mail to them. And share your own story of what Camas means to you.

We need to reach our target of £125,000 in regular giving by 31 July 2026. Every Camas Companion brings us closer. Every conversation you have could bring in the next one.

Let’s do all we can to keep the Camas bell ringing for years to come. Thank you,

p.s. We do have a plan B to keep youth at the Heart of the work of the Iona Community, if we don’t manage to hit the target for Camas. But let’s give plan A our best shot.

We are committed to raising funds in an open and honest way as per the law by following the Fundraising Code of Practice. We are additionally members of Scottish Fundraising to demonstrate our dedication to practicing ethical fundraising.