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Our fifth day at Hye Camp started out on a rather solemn note. The main focus of classes for the day was the Armenian Genocide. After breakfast, we held a hokehankeest to remember all who perished during the Genocide.
The classes for the day centered around the Genocide, which provided a somber morning. In addition, Yn. Patty Dagley and Debbie Der Asadourian led their second day of Armenian Dance lessons during the Performing Arts class. Lunch was followed by one of the most amusing Olympic events, the watermelon eating contest. Each team gets to choose on participant and this years champion was Ajmen Arakelian, representing Hye My Name Is…, Team 3. After the watermelon eating contest, the afternoon took on a more athletic tone.
The first highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. He arrived for his regular visit to camp and was guided around the facilities by Fr. Aren. His first encounters with the campers occurring during the afternoon sports sessions. During the afternoon sports sessions, campers participated in the 3rd Annual Fr. Aren Home Run Derby. Four campers and staff were able to out-hit Fr. Aren and all received great prizes courtesy of Sports Director John Chiodo. Following the afternoon sports came the second major Hye Camp Olympics competition. Teams competed against each other in a variety of team relay races with Team 6, the Khentanots, placing in the top 3 in every event and clearly dominating the competition. Going into the basketball and volleyball tournament tomorrow, Team 6 holds a strong lead over the rest of the field.
The evening centered around two exciting events. As the younger campers enjoyed their time at the annual Hye Camp bonfire, the older campers participated in a discussion, led by Fr. Tavit Boyajian, on the songs and lyrics of the Armenian rock group System Of A Down. The very enthusiastic conversation came to and end only because the campers new there was a raging fire and some toasty smores waiting for them. As the younger campers were sent off to bed, the older campers took their place and everyone sat around the fire singing Armenian folk songs, as well as some more modern American pop music.
The last full day of Hye Camp is just around the corner and everyone is anxious for the final Olympic competitions as well as the big Friday night dance. At the same time, everyone is starting to realize that our time in this very special place is running out. The next day and a half will definitely be a time for campers to savor their friendships, staff will enjoy their time before heading back to work or school, and all of the members of the Hye Camp board of directors will start to begin working on planning for next years Hye Camp. In the mean time, everyone needs to get some sleep for one last busy day.
