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Hye Camp 2005 – Day 1
Sunday, July 31st
With open arms and happy hearts, the Hye Camp 2005 participants were welcomed to Camp Hickory this afternoon. A constant stream of campers kept the Hye Camp staff on their toes all the way from the start of registration until the last bus from Detroit arrived just in time for the official welcome by Hye Camp director Fr. Aren Jebejian. Campers were led to their cabins, bags were unpacked, and beds were made, while old friendships were rekindled and new friendships formed.
A smooth and efficient registration process cannot happen without a significant amount of planning and preparation by the Hye Camp staff. Planning for Hye Camp 2005 began as soon as Hye Camp 2004 ended. A redesigned curriculum, coordinated and synchronized with the Hye Camp sister camp, St. Vartan’s Camp in New York, was designed and implemented in the daily schedule. Jenni Morris, the newly appointed coordinator of youth outreach for the Eastern Diocese Department of Youth and Education, assisted with this project. By June 2005, applications began flowing into the Hye Camp mailbox. A trustworthy staff was selected, and staff training started Saturday night in preparation for the arrival of over 135 campers the next day.
During the welcome, prayers were said for the soul of former Hye Camp director, Fr. Haroutiun Dagley. Following the official Hye Camp welcome, all families, friends, campers, and staff, were invited to share in a summer barbeque on the campgrounds during our Third Annual Hye Camp Open House.
After dinner family and friends said their goodbyes, and camper orientation began. Campers participated in two icebreaker activities, making new friends and becoming more comfortable with their new surroundings. At the same time, all of the counselors were being familiarized with all of the rules and procedures necessary to run a safe and healthy camp.
Fr. Aren led the counselor initiation session. Along with some helpful reinforcement of some common sense practices, Fr. Aren also provided some spiritual guidance. Father Aren’s message to the staff, like last year, was based on Matthew 19:13-15. As the passage reads, “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.” With this reading Father Aren reminded the staff that, as disciples of the Lord, their purpose at Hye Camp is to bring all of the children to Jesus.
Lights were out in all the cabins by 11:30 because things only get busier and everyone needs their rest. Monday will be the first full day of Hye Camp 2005 and both campers and staff alike are buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
