BY CARNIE ARMENIAN, participant of AYF-YOARF Eastern USA’s Camp Javakhk
Our first jampar of 2016 is in full throttle in Akhalkalak, a historically Armenian town in Georgia since Armenians resettled here from Erzerum during the Armenian Genocide. Our first 3 years of camp we had a presence in Akhalkalak and Akhaltskha, adding Dzalka and Ninotsminda last year. As the committee and counselors had prepared for 120 campers, we are pleasantly overwhelmed and overflowing with over 160 campers-our highest number to date! With campers between the ages of 6 through 15, the program is continuously expanding with demand by the local youth and organizations, as we hold camp in 4 towns and villages throughout the Armenian territories of Georgia.
Following meetings with the local Armenian Relief Society and community leaders, our eight counselors who have come together from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, and Canada prepared tirelessly for our first day of camp with the like cause: a successful camp in educating the youth of Javakhk on topics such as historically monumental Armenian women, Armenian inventors, Artsakh, our history that has shaped our people, current events, and most importantly the Armenian Cause.
Our first day of Camp Javakhk began with a welcoming ceremony at the newly-renovated Youth Center of the Armenian Relief Society. Our campers’ day began at 9:30 am with a prayer by Der Yeghisheh Haroutounian who ensured campers and parents that, “we are here in Javakhk, we will continue to be here, and we will continue to become stronger.â€
