2004 Annual Report of St. Vartan Camp

St. Vartan Camp celebrated its 25th anniversary as a wholesome environment for young Armenian faithful to grow in their faith and heritage.  In 2004, the camp welcomed new and seasoned campers and staff to its new, permanent home: the Ararat Center in Greenville, NY.

St. Vartan Camp sold out its first season (Session “A”: Jun. 27-Jul. 10; Session “B”: Jul. 11-24).  Camp offered one and two-week programs, a two-week counselor-in-training (CIT) leadership program for teenagers ages 16-17, and an opportunity for young adult and adult mentors to serve the greater community of the diocese by joining the staff of St. Vartan Camp.

The year 2004 included several innovations.  Camp offered stipends to its formerly all-volunteer staff, and prospective staffers took part in pre-camp training seminar in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Camp directors also reviewed policies and procedures, including the new regulations required by New York State.  Post-season, staff participated in a camp evaluation seminar, and campers also participated in a mail-in survey—both of which yielded constructive suggestions.

Activities: Each day at camp offered a unique blend of activities and experiences: morning chapel, religious studies, heritage studies, arts and crafts, a full sports program, swimming, and a variety of creative and entertaining programs (dances, talent shows, “CIT hunts,” Olympics, campfires, carnivals, scavenger hunts, and game-show nights).  Also, both session of St. Vartan Camp were visited by the Primate.

The 2004 program, based on the Diocesan “Stewardship” theme, focused on helping young faithful understand Christian stewardship, and to discover, develop, and use their God-given talents.  Daily discussions, classes, and activities explored the meaning and role of stewardship.  Campers worked on projects reflecting the theme in Religious Studies, Heritage Studies, and Arts and Crafts classes.  For the 5th consecutive season, St. Vartan Camp offered a popular Camp Choir program, led by Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, Diocesan Music Ministry coordinator.  The official camp newsletter, the Vartan Voice, extended classroom lessons and messages of appreciation submitted by staff and campers.

The 2005 season will feature an updated curriculum and elective options such as intensive language instruction, drama, and music appreciation.  In response to its sold-out 2004 season, camp has added a third session in 2005.  Session “A” will take place from Jun. 26 to Jul. 9; Session “B” from Jul. 10 to Jul. 23; Session “C” from Jul. 23 to Aug. 6.

Enrollment: The 189 campers, 29 CITs and 30 staff who attended St. Vartan Camp came from 28 parishes in 10 states; the vast majority from the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, with over 100 campers and staff coming from Massachusetts alone.

Eight parishes encouraged their youth to attend camp by offering “parish camperships” in the form of partial tuition: Armenian Church of Brooklyn, NY; Armenian Church of Charlotte, NC; Holy Resurrection, New Britain, CT; Holy Trinity, Cambridge, MA; St. James, Watertown, MA; St. Leon, Fair Lawn, NJ; St. Mark, Springfield, MA; and St. Vartan Cathedral Sunday School, New York, NY.  Also, several organizations and individuals provided camp scholarships and donations in 2004: the AACCA; ACYOA Central Council; Rev. and Yn. K. Kasparian; Dr. and Mrs. R. Dekmezian; Mr. and Mrs. M. Aurelian; and Dr. and Mrs. S. Soukiasian.

Personnel: Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, the Diocesan Youth Outreach coordinator, returned for her 10th year of service as camp director.  Charis Yousefian served as director of programming, assisted by Lydia Kurkjian.

Fr. Vasken Kouzouian and Fr. Krikor Sabounjian served as chaplains.

The staff of counselors, instructors, and programming staff for Sessions A and B included: Michael Akopov, Brooklyn, NY; Carol Ashbahian, Fair Lawn, NJ; Tammy Bagdigian, New Britain, CT; Daron Bolat, Washington, DC; Talar Camcikyan, Tenafly, NJ; Christina Davootian, New Britain, CT; Mary Glorighian, Providence, RI; Haig Hovnanian, Cheltenham, PA; Karinné Hovnanian, Cheltenham, PA; Garen Jarkian, Hye Pointe, MA; Lena Jinivizian, Fair Lawn, NJ; Adam Karian, Watervliet, NY; Sherri Keotahlian, Orlando, FL; Lydia Kurkjian, Westchester, MA; Sylvia Kutchukian, Watervliet, NY; Ricky Mukalian, Cheltenham, PA; Lorie Odabashian, Wynnewood, PA; Anna Sargsyan-Demerjian, Westchester, NY; Nicklas Terkanian, Cheltenham, PA; Andrew Tesini, Springfield, MA; Christopher Torcomian, Cheltenham, PA; Haigouhi Vartanian, Providence, RI; and Charis Yousefian, Chelmsford, MA.

Camp Nurses included: Debbie Theiss-Mackey, Greenville, NY; Bertha Mugurdichian, Providence, RI; and Yn. LuAnn Sabounjian, Framingham, MA.

Serving as instructors were: Fr. Tateos Abdalian, Cheltenham, PA; Fr. Diran Bohajian, Fair Lawn, NJ; Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, Watervliet, NY; Fr. Garen Gdanian, Watervliet, NY; Fr. Shnork Souin, Livingston, NJ; Dn. Ara Kadehjian, Fair Lawn, NJ; Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA Executive Secretary; Yn. Paulette Doudoukjian, Watervliet, NY; and Barbara Hovsepian, Fair Lawn, NJ.

St. Vartan Camp is also grateful to the countless volunteers who served in the kitchen, and who helped prepare the Ararat Center for its first occupants.