August 11, 2005
August 08, 2005
Hye Camp 2005 - Day 6
Today was the last full day of Hye Camp 2005. Even though wake up was scheduled for an hour later than usual this morning, continuing what has become an unusual pattern this year, a number of campers were up before the morning siren went off. By the time 8:30 rolled around, camp was already in high gear. Badarak, celebrated by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian was the first event of the day. During the service, Srpazan re-introduced the topic of the Armenian Genocide, relating it to the Crucifixion of Christ as well as sharing with campers stories of his Grandmothers survival. He also highlighted his Grandmothers strong faith, and her forgiving attitude, based on her strong faith, towards the killers of her family. He completed his thoughts by expressing his joy at the loving spirit, goodwill, and friendship at Hye Camp.
After a light brunch and our camp picture, everyone said farewell to Srpazan and campers separated to their cabins to begin cleaning and packing, working on their skits, and then working on completing the Olympic team flags. The final major Olympic competitions took place this afternoon. A basketball tournament as well as a volleyball tournament were both dominated by Hye My Name Is…, Team 3. The second to last competition was the shoe kicking contest, where campers got to see how far they could kick their shoe off their foot. Paul Oganyan, representing Team 2 The Hye Rockers, won the shoe kicking competition.
After some more free time to complete skits and Olympic flags, everyone gathered for dinner and the final Olympic competition, the judging of the Olympic flags. Going into the flag competition, Team 3 had made a strong comeback on the strength of their sweep of the basketball and volleyball brackets and was only 1 pt behind Team 6 for first place. However, Team 5, the Hye Pods, won the competition and when Team 3 and Team 6 both failed to place in the top four with their flags, the top of the points competition remained the same and Team 6, The Khentanots, was crowned 2005 Hye Camp Olympic Champions. Congratulations to Captain Talin Hitik and the rest of her successful squad.
After dinner, it was time to see some cabin skits. MC’d by staff members “Uncle” Harry Kezelian and Matt Derbabian, each cabin was given the opportunity to display their creativeness and talent and each skit seemed like an effort to out-do the last. In the end, judges voted the skit created by a combined effort from the 13 year old boys and 13 year old girls, acting out and singing the words to the Armenian Folk Song “Chara-gigi”.
The last event of the day was the highlight of the day, the much anticipated Hye Camp Dance. Campers got to show off their freshly acquired dance skills, while proud Performing Arts instructors Yn. Patty Dagley and Debbie Der Asadourian happily enjoyed watching the fruits of their labor, and even joined in the fun for a couple songs.
Tomorrow morning is going to be a busy morning and everyone eventually, reluctantly, made their way to bed to get a little rest for the hard work ahead of them. Busses will be loaded and leave, parents will fill their trunks with luggage and backseats with campers, and the staff will clean up all of the supplies and files necessary to run camp for the week. In the coming weeks and months, planning for next years Hye Camp will begin and one year from now there will be 140+ campers arriving back at Hye Camp with wide eyes and excitement. For now, we all can look back on another successful year at Hye Camp. A special thanks must go out to Lisa Mardigian, Staff Coordinator, Jenni Morris, Programming Director, Debbie Der Asadourian, Hye Camp Board Chairperson, and Fr. Aren Jebejian, Hye Camp Director. A special thank you also goes out to all the staff that donate their time and energy to make Hye Camp such a fun and enjoyable place for children to come, to learn, to play, to make friends, and to make memories that will last a lifetime. We all look forward to next year as we close the door on a spectacular Hye Camp 2005.
Hye Camp 2005 - Day 5
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.
August 04, 2005
Hye Camp 2005 - Day 4
The fourth day of Hye Camp 2005 was highlighted by an exciting evening schedule. The first Hye Camp Olmypics event, a special kebab dinner, movie night for the campers, and staff night out for the senior counselors. As usual, the day was a full slate of classes and sports, including the John Nercessian Closest to the Pin golf contest.
The morning bell was accompanied by the threat of rain, but for the most part the overcast skies provided a welcome relief to the overpowering sun that had beat down on the campgrounds since Sunday. The general theme of the lesson plan today was The Church, which Fr. Tavit expressed to the campers during the morning prayer service. His use of the word Church as both a noun, meaning a place to be, as well as a verb, meaning something to do, provided a different viewpoint on a topic that is prominent in the life of most every camper and staff.
As the class schedule began, Maestro Khoren led his last few groups of kids for 2005 and he had to fly home to New York shortly after lunch. Daron Bolat, newly graduated masters student from St. Nercess Seminary in the Department of Youth and Education of the Diocese in New York, led religion class with an analysis of a poem written by Vahan Tekeyan, entitled The Armenian Church. Arts & crafts class focused on creating a lasting memory of the friendships that form and develop at Hye Camp. Each camper was given a special Hye Camp 2005 t-shirt, which they decorated with the hand-print and signatures of all their cabin mates. After lunch, campers flocked to the closest to the pin contest, many swinging a golf club, under the expert supervision of Hye Camp staff member John Nercession, for the first time. A number of seasoned veterans, as well as a few lucky bounces, garnered a handful of campers some very special prizes during the announcement of winners during dinner.
Dinner turned out to be the highlight of the day. St. Gregory parishioners Haig Pedian Jr. and Edward Klujian, as they’ve done for many years now, pulled up on the camp grounds, unloaded a big flat charcoal grill, and began grilling marinated skewers of lamb kebabs. The sight and smell was enough to make your mouth water. Combined with some home-cooked pilaf, the dinner was absolutely unforgettable. After the spectacular reminder of why it tastes so good to be Armenian, campers split up into their Olympic teams for an intense battle of capture the flag. The 8 olympic teams were partnered and combined into four color-coded teams, given an appropriately colored flag to hide, and then were turned loose on the playing field with the specific objective of finding their opponents flag and getting it back to home base safely. The two winning teams were the Blue Team, made up of teams 3 and 6, and the White Team, made up of teams 2 and 7.
A tradition of Hye Camp is for the oldest campers to be given a night of authoritative responsibility over the rest of the camp. While the counselors and junior counselors are given a night to relax and spend some time with fellow counselors who they really don’t have a lot of time to interact with on a personal level during the typically busy Hye Camp schedule. This year, as the 15 year old campers began their short shift of, the rest of the campers were having movie night, while the junior counselors were secluded away from the bustle of the hectic camp atmosphere, and the senior staff were treated to a quick retreat to a local restaurant. Upon the return of the senior staff to the campgrounds, and with the junior counselors feeling refreshed, all of the normal staff began to resume their duties at their cabins and the 15-year-old campers rejoiced in a job well done. Every year the 15 year old counselors in training, with their determination and resolve to strive for a job well done, never cease to amaze the Hye Camp staff. It’s a welcoming site for the future of the camp, knowing that one day the next youth will be in such capable hands.
Tomorrow, Olympics will continue with relay races in the evening. Campers can also expect a Genocide oriented lesson plan, as well as a second installment of exciting Armenian dance steps. Fr. Aren announced at lunch this afternoon that he had some good news for the camp and some bad news. To share with our world-wide audience, the good news is Hye Camp is almost over and everyone can relax and get some much needed sleep, but the bad news is that Hye Camp is almost over and we’re all going to miss our good friends and the classes and the sports and the cabin camaraderie.
August 03, 2005
A Typical Day
Oh where to start? Our day as a SVC camper is a very busy day. In the morning we wake up to a beautiful view of the mountains. Off to breakfast and then chapel for our morning service. Then we have classes where we learn about our religion and Armenian culture. By the end of classes it is lunch time. We had delicious sandwiches made by the kitchen crew. Our favorite part of the day is Sports; we played basketball, volleyball and soccer. We then had swimming right after sports to cool us off. For the night activity we watched a really funny movie and had popcorn. Then bed time and before we know it, it is a new day. I love SVC and my counselors and new friends!
~ Junior Boys ~
Hye Camp 2005 - Day 3
Campers awoke on Tuesday morning to their third day of Hye Camp 2005. Rising earlier than the morning bell once again, campers full of excitement and anticipation were ready to start their day. In the first moments when the earliest campers broke the morning silence, all would have appeared to be in order to start a typical day, with the notable exception of red and green decorations adorning all of the buildings on the grounds. The special occasion is Christmas in August at Hye Camp.
The new camp curriculum, developed by the Diocese Department of Youth and Education, provides the unique opportunity to celebrate a major feast day during a camp session. Our first year in the new program starts with the celebration of Armenian Christmas. Counselors accessorized with Christmas attire, including reindeer antlers and jingle bells, led curious campers into the main lodge for breakfast. Despite the festive surroundings, the important aspects of the day focused on the spiritual nature of Armenian Christmas. Fr. Aren led the morning chapel service with the Armenian phrase “Krisdos dzunav yev haydnetsav”,(Christ if born and revealed) and teaching the response of “ortnial eh haydnootiunun krisdosee”, (blessed is the revelation of Christ) and began to explain the importance of Armenian Christmas in the Armenian Orthodox religion.
The six period class schedule began, highlighted by the Armenian Heritage class taught by Digeen Toumajian. Her knowledge and stories on Armenian Christmas customs and traditions kept campers hypnotized with visions of grapes & nuts, anoushabour, and the snow capped peaks of Mt. Ararat. Campers also decorated ornaments in arts & crafts, and learned the Sharagans, “Aysor Tsaynun” and “Amen Alleluia” with Maestro Khoren for the evening Blessing of the Water Service to be held in the evening. The afternoon sports session was centered around the Lisa Mardigian Shoot-out, where campers and staff were given the opportunity to try and score more points from pre-determined spots on the basketball court than Hye Camp Staff Director Lisa Mardigian. A total of 2 campers and 1 staff succeeded in dethroning Lisa.
After dinner, the evening programming commenced with some more singing with Maestro Khoren, along with a fun skit activity led by Hye Camp Director of Programming, Jenni Morris. Following a brief snack, as well as the second report from the W-HYE news staff, campers brought their well-rehearsed verses to the chapel for the evening service.
Fr. Aren led a host of clergy, including special guests Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Vartan Cathedral in New York and Fr. Garabed Kochakian from St. John’s, Detroit. During the blessing of the water service, John Nercessian served as the Godfather and served as witness to the baptism of Christ. Following the impressive service where campers and staff participated in the singing, all came forward to receive some of the blessed water to consume. Another beautiful tradition in the Armenian Church is the taking home of blessed water to parents, grandparents and the elderly and sick. At the end of camp, each camper will be given a cross-shaped vile of the blessed water to take home to their family members.
As the youngest campers started to clean up and prepare for lights-out, the older campers were able to participate in a discussion on issues of the past and challenges for the future of the Armenian Church, as well as enjoy some free time and fellowship before it was their turn to find a bed for the night. Thoughts of food were on the minds of everyone at Hye Camp as the last light was dimmed for the evening. The wildly popular annual Hye Camp tradition of grilling kebabs for dinner will take place tomorrow night, and all Armenian taste buds are jumping with excitement.
August 02, 2005
Hye Camp 2005 – Day 2
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!!!
August 01, 2005
Just another Manic Monday!
Today was like every other day, except our evening program was something we call “Armenian Idol”. We ran it much like the t.v. show “American Idol”. Taline was the M.C. of the show. Brandon played Randy, Lori played Paula and Chris was Simon. There were about nine acts and everyone was awesome. We all had a lot of laughs and fun tonight.
Hye Camp 2005 – Day 1
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.