We close yet another year of St. Vartan Camp with our traditional closing ceremonies, so that campers could show parents how much they have learned over the course of their time at camp. Some highlights included a breakdown of the sports programs and class curricula (which included a dance performance taught to the teens during heritage class choreographed and taught by Christine Hovsepian), as well as the weekly recap video with both parents and campers enjoyed thoroughly.

Pictures and movies will be uploaded as soon as our main computer is fixed… We are sorry for the delay, however the problem is being resolved. Once again our apologies for the inconvenience.

We began packing up today to close yet another season of St. Vartan Camp. In sports campers played dodgeball and enjoyed their last swim in the pool for the year. Campers also enjoyed learning a song taught by Fr. Gomidas in culture and heritage, as well as many fun activities in class. The big highlight of the evening, however, was the farewell dance. The event was hosted by the CITs who helped put on our Easter themed dance. Amongst all the Easter decorations, the one that stood out the Easter Bunny the campers enjoyed seeing “hop” around during various dances. After the dance was over, campers loved finishing off the night with a campfire before going to bed for the evening.

Pictures and movies will be uploaded as soon as our main computer is fixed… We are sorry for the delay, however the problem is being resolved. Once again our apologies for the inconvenience.

In Crafts and Arts, campers made a picture box stand to hold their favorite picture. In culture and heritage campers enjoyed the last of 3 “Time Machine” presentations by Stepan Piligian and various staff members. In the evening, campers helped to put on a talent show to remember by showing off their talents through skits, songs, as well as Armenian and American dances. The talent show was hosted by Mario and Luigi which the campers found quite humorous. It was a great way to end a fun day!

Pictures and movies will be uploaded as soon as our main computer is fixed… We are sorry for the delay, however the problem is being resolved. Once again our apologies for the inconvenience.

We had a busy day, Vahe led the famous “Boot Camp Wednesday” and campers loved every second of it. Religious studies was led by Fr. Tateos, while Stepan continued his “Time Machine” in culture and heritage class. In Crafts & Arts the campers made tie-dye tank top t-shirts, and campers in the advanced Armenian language class enjoyed a class outside. In the afternoon, campers searched far and wide for their CITs and had an opportunity to lather each other up with shaving cream in the CIT hunt. The campers later had an outdoor barbecue and then washed up. The teens hosted the evening program, setting up four different rooms with themes of Halloween, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas. The campers had a blast, however, after such a fun-filled day needed some rest.

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In sports the campers played kickball. We welcomed Stepan Piligian back to the camp program as he led our culture and heritage classes, through his notorious “St. Vartan Camp Time Machine", interviewing the staff dressed as famous Armenian figureheads. Very Reverend Fr. Simeon Odabashian, the Diocesan Vicar, joined us for the day and led religious studies classes with Fr. Shnork Souin. We also welcomed two visiting clergy, Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian and Fr. Tateos Abdalian who will be with us throughout the week. In the evening we played a real life version of the popular board game “Clue” where Greg The Baker had his famous baked good, known to the public as a “Cheez-It", stolen while trying to make a delivery. Campers thoroughly enjoyed the activity and so did the group of clergy who also teamed up and played.

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Today was the start of the final week of the camp season. Juniors spent Sports playing soccer while the Teens continued with classes taught by our visiting clergy, Fr. Shnork Souin and Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, as well as our other regular instructors. Nearby thunderstorms unfortunately kept our Teens out of the pool, but they were able to spend quality time with their groups instead. The evening activity was the “Clergy Chat” which focused on lay ministry, youth and vocations, and the differences in parish life from church to church. The “Chat” featured our visiting clergy, as well as Fr. Vasken and Greg. Teens continued to plan the program for Wednesday evening before heading to bed. Overall, it was a good start to a new week which is sure to be full of lots of great memories and excitement!

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We celebrated one of the five major feast days of the Armenian Church, Baydzaragerbootiun, (the Transfiguration of Christ) during Divine Liturgy by doing an Antasdan (a blessing of the four corners of the world). After Divine Liturgy, the campers, CITs, and staff continued celebrating the day with a Vartavar water fight as is Armenian tradition. The campers continued with their second day of Olympics which included apache relay, dodgeball, and tug-of-war events. During dinner we celebrated Greg Dalakian’s birthday with a special cheesecake dessert. In the evening, campers enjoyed warming up by the campfire before getting rest.

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