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Today was the last time the camp would run according to the normal schedule. After breakfast and morning service, campers went through their class rotation for the last time. Friday will be a special schedule, starting with Hye Camp Director Fr. Aren Jebejian's first ever Badarak at Hye Camp, along with Olympic activity all day long, as well as the beginning of preparation to leave on Saturday. The time has flown by and pretty soon Hye Camp 2004 will be stored away as another beautiful memory of Armenian Christian fellowship.
This morning, Hye Camp was blessed with the arrival of Fr. Yeprem Kelegian from Racine, WI. To the delight of everyone, Fr. Yeprem presided over the morning services and shared a message to the camp. As he always does, Fr. Yeprem captivated all the campers, from the youngest to the oldest, and preached the all-encompassing idea that God is love. All campers were challenged to let God shine through them by living their lives in a Christian way as God would want. The campers love Fr. Yeprem and his words went straight to the heart.
Following the morning service, the class rotation began for the last time. Lisa Mardigian and Mark Akgulian both had an arts and crafts class, Anahit Toumajian and Yn. Patty Dagley both had a culture class, Fr. Zorab had another great religion class, and then there was free time. Yn. Patty's culture classes are always highly anticipated; everyone loves to dance and no one teaches Armenian dances like Yn. Patty. Not only were the assigned classes participating in the dance lessons, but campers and counselors that were on free time were also choosing to spend their time with Yn. Patty.
During lunch, John Chiodo announced the new daily sports competition. John's fellow director of sports, John Nersesian, challenged the camp to a closest-to-the-pin contest. With clubs provided by Mr. Nersesian, any campers that were up for the challenge got to take three attempts. A select few did beat John and they were rewarded with great golf prizes. With a nice cool breeze blowing throughout the afternoon, everyone wanted to get outside and run around a bit. All of the courts; basketball, volleyball, soccer, were filled with kids playing games.
Tomorrow is going to be both the Olympic opening ceremony, as well as cabin skit day. Both of those activities require a lot of pre-planning, which is what most free time was used for this afternoon. Olympic team flags had to be made, and each cabin also had to take the time to come up with a short skit to do in front of the camp.
Dinner came and went, and eventually it was time for a bonfire for the older kids, between 12 and 14 years old. Everyone sat around the fire roasting smores and singing camp songs. After the bonfire, all of the campers and counselors between 15 and 18 years old were treated to the presence of Jason Demergian, college ministry facilitator for the Eastern Diocese. Jason was able to have a nice conversation with the kids about their thoughts and feelings on the trend of religion to drift out of the lives of college students. Eventually, it got to be bed time and all lights went out. Much rest was in order, and for an explanation, I quote Fr. Aren: "I have some good news, and some bad news. The bad news is there's only two more days of Hye Camp. The good news is, there's only two more days of Hye Camp." To all of the parents, we'll be coming home soon.
