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Hye Camp 2005 – Day 2
Monday, August 1st
The excitement of the first full day at camp was evident even before our 7:30 wakeup call. Cabins across the grounds were bustling with activity well before the morning bell rang. After the morning prayer service and breakfast, campers were given some time to clean their cabins and then the day began. The updated curriculum combined with our increasing camper enrollment, required an adaptation to the typical Hye Camp schedule.
There is a 6 period schedule starting at 9:50, after breakfast and chapel, and running till 3:10, including a break for lunch. Each period lasts for 40 minutes, and each age group does one complete rotation per day. A rotation consists of religion, heritage, Armenian performing arts, and arts & crafts classes, as well as two free time periods. Following classes, the 9-12 year old campers have a 45 minute swimming period while the 13-15 year old campers participate in organized sports, and then the two groups swap for a second 45 minute period.
A main highlight of the class sessions this morning was the dispersal of a Bible to every single camper. A special gift from the Diocese, these Bibles will be going home with each camper bound in special covers that were made during the arts & crafts period. Finally, campers gained an intimate understanding of the value and importance this special book can have in their lives during their religion class. Rounding out the educational experience, traditional line dancing made the Armenian performing arts class the most eagerly anticipated period of the day.
The 5:30 dinner serves as a rejuvenating gateway from daytime learning to evening fun. Hye Camp evenings are packed full of fun activities and programs with an incredible amount of variety. Each day we will provide updates of the day’s unique evening itinerary. Today, following dinner, the Hye Camp Olympics committee introduced this year’s 8 teams. The teams were given an opportunity to get to know each other, come up with team names and, begin to brainstorm designs for a team flag. Following Olympics initiation, campers were treated to home-made Strawberry Short Cake, made by our loving Godparents, while listening to the first reports of the 2005 W-HYE News reporters, keeping the community up to date with the latest items of interest.
Fr. Tavit reinforced the Bible lessons of the day with a short homily, during the evening prayer service, about the guidance and support each and every camper can realize through the words and teachings of the Bible. As the youngest campers started to make their way back to their cabins for the night after the prayer service, both the 14-15 year old group of campers, as well as the 16-17 year old group of junior counselors, participated in a leadership training exercises. As everyone finally began to settle into their beds for the night, the senior staff began to kick preparations for Tuesday into high gear.
Part of the updated curriculum involves the celebration of a different feast day every year. This year, our feast day is Armenian Christmas, and Tuesday is going to be Christmas in August. If Tuesday is Christmas that must mean Monday is Christmas Eve. The campgrounds are getting a heavy dose of white, green, and red courtesy of some happy little elves, and counselors will be dressed in festive attire on Christmas day to celebrate the joyous occasion. With temperatures soaring into the 90’s today, a little hint of winter will be a welcome distraction. In the mean time, an excited group of campers are all asleep with vision of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Merry Christmas everybody!!!
