Camp Haiastan’s 62nd Season Another Record Setter
Following in the footsteps of the record-breaking 2011 season, AYF Camp Haiastan’s 62nd season in 2012 set new milestones for attendance and facility improvements. The 2011 season ushered in the single largest session in the history of Camp Haiastan as 127 campers attended Session 1. That summer also saw the dedication of two major facility improvements: the expansion and renovation of our Basketball Courts, which were dedicated to the memory of Terry and Peter Jelalian Sr., and, a new two-cabin building called Bunk 3/4 generously funded by a grant from the Armenian Youth Foundation, Inc.
The 2012 season trumped 2011 beginning with the first session of the season, the Zartonk Teen Session, which is designed especially for high school-aged campers. The 2012 Teen Session welcomed 65 campers, a record-breaking attendance mark since the Teen Session’s inception in 2005. Sessions 1 and 2, which are for campers 8-14 years of age, followed the Teen Session, and set the combined four-week attendance record for two successive sessions at 253 campers were enrolled. And once again Session 2 broke Camp Haiastan’s single session attendance record from 2011, with 132 campers. Most importantly, the total season attendance mark in 2012, of 800 camper weeks, is the all-time high total season attendance since Camp Haiastan opened in 1951.
Two major facility improvement projects were completed in 2012 because of the generosity of two remarkable families. Both improvements were dedicated during the summer. The family of Asdghig Tetezian Alemian of Massachusetts blessed Camp Haiastan with donations in recognition of her 102nd birthday. Asdghig was a beloved great-great grandmother and genocide survivor, and her extended family from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Maryland, Maine, and Virginia generously funded the renovation of the Picnic Ground Bandstand and Dance Floor in honor of Asdghig’s remarkable longevity.
Family and friends of the late Sarkis Minasian of New York generously funded the purchase of a new floating dock system and benches at Uncas Pond, which were installed for the 2012 camp season in his memory. Sarkis and his wife Anna introduced their three children to Camp Haiastan, and now four of their grandchildren are campers. An avid fisherman, Sarkis was especially fond of the camp waterfront.
Staff learn to ‘make it better than it was’
The staff is the backbone of any successful camp and responsible for a camp’s success season after season. At no time is this more true than this past season at Camp Haiastan. Some 50 individuals were hired to work on the 2012 Camp Haiastan staff, hailing from 9 different states and Canada. Thirty-seven of our 2012 staff were active AYF members who wanted the challenge and the reward of working at Camp Haiastan, a unique summer job that connected them in a very special way with their heritage. As with most labors of love, staff come away from a summer experience at Camp Haiastan with not only some money in their pockets, but also with their hearts and minds overflowing with lifelong memories and friendships and, most importantly, a new commitment to Armenian involvement when they return to their home communities and AYF chapters. The Armenian experience afforded campers and staff at Camp Haiastan is exactly what it was meant to be, nothing short of intense yet highly inspirational. It’s not hard to understand how many of our staff alumni have gone on to establish themselves as leaders in the fields of medicine, education, science, industry, athletics, public service, and politics in the U.S., in Armenia, and throughout the world. The essence of being a proud and contributing Armenian-American has its foundation as a Camp Haiastan staff member.
Staff Training Week is one of the most important experiences for our camp staff, and it is this week that contributes to a solid foundation of knowledge and parenting skills that staff must build on, and that will serve them well during their work assignment. The 2012 staff gathered on Mon., June 25 to begin “Camp Haiastan Staff University” (Staff Training Week) with the goal of graduating on June 30, prepared just in time for the first session of the summer, the two-week Teen Session for high schoolers, and Day Camp Week 1 for 5-7 year olds. Following these sessions is the real test of our training week, 6 consecutive weeks of 8-14 year old campers (3 2-week sessions) and Day Camp Week 2. Our 2012 camp directors, Digeen Margo Dinkjian and Baron Hagop Soulakian, along with Assistant Director Kyle Dinkjian and Head Counselors Mari Hackett and Garo Sarajian, expertly planned every day of the training week. Staff benefitted from a variety of quality training experiences, such as information and policy sessions, adolescent behavioral workshops, role play, mock activity instruction, demonstrations at every camp facility, emergency and crises management sessions, CPR certification, equipment demonstrations, facility prep work sessions, swimming and boating tests, team building experiences, and guest speakers, just to name some.
The highlight of Staff Training Week was once again the moving presentation by three of our most esteemed alumni. This insightful presentation has been organized the past four seasons by Harry Kushigian and Mesrob Odian, both past Barons (camp directors) and Mal Varadian, a founder era alumnus. This year, Kushigian, Odian, and Varadian invited early camp alumni Barbara Berberian (Goshgarian) and Astor Guzelian to share their camp experiences. The five lovingly told their staff stories, experiences, and lessons about the founding and building of Camp Haiastan, and the profound responsibility that each and every staff member must fully embrace to ensure the health, safety, and happiness of our campers and to continue an unbroken legacy of Camp Haiastan being successful from season to season. As he has each season of this memorable presentation, Varadian drove home the urgency and necessity of the 2012 camp staff to “make it better than it was!”He underscored the importance of anyone involved with the camp in any capacity, but especially staff, to take stock of what exists at Camp Haiastan, then make a concerted effort to, no matter what, no matter how, “make it better than it was,” and pass it on to the next staff. Sadly, this was the last time Mal Varadian would impart his wisdom onto our camp staff. Our beloved Mal passed away this past Aug. 5. We miss him greatly.
Thank you, 2012 Camp Haiastan staff
Administrative staff:
Digeen Margo Dinkjian, Camp Director Teen Session and Session 1 – NJ
Baron Hagop Soulakian, Camp Director Session 2 and Session 3 – IL
Digeen Nevart Mikaelian, Day Camp Week 1 Director – MA
Digeen Ani Changelian, Day Camp Week 2 Director – MA
Unger Kyle Dinkjian, Assistant Director – NJ
Digeen Kenya Miller, RN, Residential Camp Nurse – MA
Digeen Carol Minasian, RN, Day Nurse – MA
Ungerhoui Ana Bartholo, RN, Day Nurse – MA
Ungerhoui Yuliya Vigdorchik, RN, Day Nurse – MA
Unger John Miller, Caretaker – MA
‘Ungerouhis’ (women counselors and instructors):
Adrenee Asadoorian, Counselor – MI
Lucine Bahtiarian, Counselor/Archery Inst. – MA
Knar Bedian, Counselor/Photographer and Media – IL
Rebecca Biesel, Counselor – NJ
Claudia Boyajian, Counselor – NJ
Arev Dinkjian, Counselor/Arts and Crafts/Archery Inst. – NJ
Dvin Ghazarian, Counselor – CA
Mari Hackett, Head Counselor – MA
Faye Khatchadourian, Aquatics – Montreal, Canada
Araxi Krafian, Counselor – MA
Taleen Lachinian, Counselor – MA
Nareh Mkrtschjan, Armenian School Teacher – RI
Lenna Ohanesian, Counselor – IL
Lara Tcherkezian, Counselor – MA
Haigan Tcholakian, Armenian School Teacher – MI
Emily Varadian, Counselor – RI
Sophia Yedigarian, Counselor – VA
Lori Yogourtian, SIT/Counselor/Archery Inst. – MA
Arpi Youssoufian, Office Manager/Counselor – MA
‘Ungers’ (men counselors and instructors):
Sevan Apanian, Armenian School Teacher – Montreal, Canada
Armen Arakelian, Counselor – MI
Garin Bedian, Counselor – IL
Daniel Chakmakjian, Armenian School Teacher – MA
Berj Chilingirian, Counselor – MA
Shant Douzdjian, Counselor – OR
Alan Goshgarian, Nature Specialist – MA
Nicolas Knaian, Counselor – MA
Alec Kourtjian, Counselor – MI
Armen Krikorian, Counselor – CA
Shant Krikorian, Counselor – CA
Raffi Massoyan, Counselor – NJ
Eric Movsesian, Aquatics – MA
Garo Sarajian, Head Counselor – NY
Matthew Tarzian, SIT/Counselor – NJ
Christopher Tarzian, SIT/Counselor – NJ
Arby Torossian, Counselor – MA
Adam Tusia, Aquatic Director – MA
Alex Tusia, Aquatics – MA
Staff-in-Training ‘Ungers’ and ‘Ungerouhis’
Ani Bournazian – VA
Samuel Chakmakjian – MA
Vahan Cholakian – MI
Bryan DerKosrofian, Archery Instructor – MA
Taline Dilanian – VA
One-week Day Camp
The year 2012 marked the 7th year for the 1-Week Day Camp for 5, 6, and 7 year olds. What makes the Day Camp so successful? It surprisingly draws many of its campers each season from outside of Massachusetts (even as far as Vancouver, Wash.)! Because many of our out-of-state Day Camp parents have Boston area family ties, these families love to make Day Camp week part of their vacation plans to the Boston area so that their children can attend an Armenian Day Camp. The greatest testament to the success of Day Camp is the number of Day Camp “graduates” that return for overnight camp when they come of age.
Day Camp Week 1 in June was held under the direction of Nevart Mikaelian, who has been a Day Camp Director since Day Camp began in 2006. Mikaelian is an elementary special education teacher and a mother of two. Day Camp Week 2 in August was directed by Ani Changelian; it was her third season with the Day Camp. Changelian is an elementary school teacher and mother of three. During Day Camp, campers receive Armenian culture and appreciation experiences that include Armenian language, song and dance, storytelling, and arts and crafts. Also included are daily swimming lessons, recreational games and activities, outdoor education and nature activities, and a daily hot lunch in the camp Dining Hall with the overnight campers. The Day Camp hantes (show) on the final afternoon is the highlight of the week. Parents, grandparents, and family members come together to watch their day campers sing and recite in Armenian, show off their newly mastered Armenian line dancing, and proudly display their craft projects.
Day Campers Week 1
Back in 1951 when Camp Haiastan opened for its first season, boys and girls attended separately for one-week overnight sessions. Camper activities were loosely scheduled around the availability and expertise of the staff and the equipment on hand at the time. Although camp then was less structured than it is today, those first camper groups surely experienced the “magic off of Summer Street” and went home with the same burning desire to return every season as today’s campers do.
Today parents can choose from 3 2-week sessions for campers 8-14 years of age plus a special Teen Session for high school aged (14, 15, and 16) boys and girls that kicks off the season. In addition there is a 1-week “Try It Out” session in August specially designed for first-time campers 8, 9, and 10 years of age who want to give Camp Haiastan a one-week trial without committing to two weeks (of course, many of these campers elect to stay the second week). Taking into consideration Day Camp, it is conceivable that a camper can begin attending Camp Haiastan at the age of 5 and continue each summer through their 16th birthday! Although the Teen Session started only eight years ago in 2005, it has already attained “tradition” status with campers who eagerly anticipate aging out of Sessions 1, 2, or 3 at the age of 14 in order to be eligible to attend the elite Teen Session.
Teen Session campers enjoy a unique menu of activities specially designed for high school age campers, such as off-campus field trips and outings and daily supervised social events. As part of the “Hye Time” Armenian cultural program, guest speakers present topics that ensure that teens are informed of the activities and objectives of the AYF, the Armenian National Committee, the Armenian Relief Society, as well as other Armenian organizations that are at the forefront of Armenian political activism both in the diaspora as well as abroad. Also, in recent seasons teens have camped out and biked on Cape Cod, canoed on the Charles River, hiked and camped in the Blackstone Valley National Corridor, camped overnight aboard the U.S.S. Massachusetts at Battleship Cove in Fall River, Mass., visited the Armenian Library and Museum of America in Watertown, Mass., and learned about local and international Armenian artists at Berj Zobian’s Gallery Z in Providence, R.I., to name a few destinations. The Teen Session was aptly named the “Zartonk” Session by the first Teen Session campers in 2005 to celebrate the “awakening” of a new relationship that teenage campers now enjoy with Camp Haiastan.
The 3 2-week overnight Sessions 1, 2, and 3 are the sessions with the greatest attendance during the summer. These sessions are for campers 8 through 14 years of age; the campers are divided into three groupings, younger, middle, and older age groups, for the purpose of cabin assignments and activity planning. Campers begin their stay Week 1 with the traditional “Introductions Bon Fire” on the first night, where all campers and staff are introduced and get to know favorite things about each other. The first week of camp begins with a visit to the Health Center to meet the nurse, and follows with safety demonstrations and swimming tests at the pool, boating safety demonstrations at the waterfront, archery safety demonstrations at the archery range, safety demonstrations at the ROPES Challenge Course, the first classes of Armenian School and arts and crafts, as well as an informative tour of all camp facilities including the bathroom, shower, wash stands, dining hall, and athletic field. In only a few days, the staff has done a remarkable job of making sure that all campers feel at home and are properly acclimated to their new home away from home for the next two weeks.
Unlike the first days of Camp Haiastan back in 1951, nearly every waking hour is scheduled with activities and experiences by the staff so that campers are always active, engaged, and in wonder of what “tonight’s evening activity” is, or what “tomorrow afternoon’s special theme day activity” is. Toward the end of the first week, campers have become experienced enough with camp for the staff to begin planning the big special events that transition into Week 2: Peanut Carnival, Pond Day, overnight camp-outs, first Saturday night theme dance, Backwards Day, Evening Armenian Enrichment, Preference Day, tournaments, candlepin bowling night, drive-in movie night, Song Night, Talent Night, Vartevar celebration, and of course Olympics, followed by the farewell dance on the last Saturday night.
Camp Haiastan offers a 1-Week “Try It Out” Session during week 1 of Session 3 for first-time campers that are 8, 9, or 10 years of age. A discounted second week stay is possible and most “Try It Out” campers have such a good time during their one week that they stay the second week. Many of our 1-Week campers are former Day Camp campers, and the “Try It Out”
1-Week session is accomplishing what it was created for: to attract first time younger campers to experience the magic of Camp Haiastan and become hooked on returning each summer.
For every camper of every age, from every city, state, and country, Camp Haiastan has been and will continue to be a summer home away from home and a generational family tradition treasured by thousands of families, as it has for 62 consecutive seasons. What was once only a dream of a handful of insightful visionaries back in 1940, when the property for Camp Haiastan was found and purchased, today it is a living reality that will only grow and continue to nurture and teach campers appreciation of being Armenian side by side with other young Armenians. Parents, if your children are not already a part of this wonderful journey, don’t wait any longer. The 2013 season is the perfect time! We encourage you to plan now to afford your children the opportunity to connect with their heritage and make friendships that last a lifetime this coming summer. Camp Haiastan refuses no camper because of family financial challenges. Confidential financial assistance is available; contact Executive Director Baron Roy by e-mailing haicamp@verizon.net.
