The Camas Companions campaign is now over.

An important message about Camas

With great sadness, the Trustees of the Iona Community have made the decision that Camas will not reopen. The resources needed in terms of staffing and finances to open Camas safely and sustainably, are beyond the scope of the Iona Community at this time.

Camas, the Iona Community’s outdoor centre on the Ross of Mull, has been a place of transformation for young people, folks living on the margins, and many others for more than eight decades. The decision to close Camas has not been taken lightly. It follows an extensive safety review, careful scrutiny of financial projections, and a remarkable ‘Camas Companions’ fundraising campaign.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave their time, money, wisdom and prayer to the effort to reopen Camas. The Camas Companions campaign revealed the depth of love for this place and its work.

The Iona Community remains resolutely committed to working with young people. The vision and strategic goal of “Youth at the Heart” remains our focus. In the months ahead, Trustees and staff will work with our Members, our Young Adults Group, and our Youth Work Advisory Group to shape a renewed vision for youth work through the Iona Community.

 

Camas Companions who gave financially are being contacted directly with information about what happens next. For those who asked for their gifts to be returned should Camas not reopen, that will also be quickly actioned.

 

Camas changed lives. The bell may no longer ring in Camas Bay as it used to. But the remarkable work, and the lived community experienced there will not be forgotten. The young people who need the kind of community Camas offered will remain at the heart of the Iona Community’s youth work strategy.

 

God of the changing seasons,

God of bright skies, thrift and shorelines,

Sooth our weary hearts as we grieve a time that is gone.

Restore our souls as we glimpse a future of promise and potential.

May we learn new steps to the dance of life,

trusting and loving you, and one another, 

as a skein of geese dancing with the heavens.

— Ruth Harvey, Leader of the Iona Community

 

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
IBAN – GB68CLYD82200090171221

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.