PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
March 9, 2007
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ST. VARTAN CAMP OFFERS FAITH, FRIENDSHIP, AND FUN
Summer is just around the corner, and with the sunshine will come the summer
camp season. The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) will
once again offer two unique camping experiences: the Midwest Hye Camp and
St. Vartan Camp in Upstate New York.
Registration for St. Vartan Camp 2007 has begun. There are three two-week
sessions. The dates for Session A are June 24 to July 7, Session B will run
from July 8 to July 21, and Session C covers July 22 to August 4. Session B
is already filled!
Entering its 27th year, St. Vartan Camp provides a well-rounded blend of
Armenian religion, culture, language, history, dance, music, arts, and
fellowship, as well as a full sports program that includes soccer,
basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis, and swimming. The program also
includes special daily activities such as dances, talent shows, camp
Olympics, theme days, nature hikes, and campfires. Campers range in age
from 8 to 15.
St. Vartan Camp will once again be held at its permanent home: The Ararat
Youth and Conference Center in upstate New York. And this year the campers
will take advantage of a new pavilion and five new classrooms being built at
the Ararat Center.
"We are very excited about the addition of our newly constructed pavilion
and classrooms," said Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, director of St. Vartan Camp.
"This will allow us much more flexibility for creative programming."
LOOKING FOR STAFF
St. Vartan Camp is staffed by counselors who have been specially chosen from
throughout the Diocese based on their devotion to Armenian youth. Fr.
Sabounjian said the camp is looking for qualified staff who will be positive
Christian role models and encouraged interested people to apply.
"Whether in the classroom or on the sports field; at the pool or in an
activity; in the dining room or in the dorms, everything that we do will be
designed to promote lessons in Christian living," he said. "And to that
effect, we are looking for staff members who will create an atmosphere in
which we all can learn to live a Christian lifestyle."
Additionally, the camp offers a counselor-in-training program for qualified
young people between 16 and 17 years old. CITs will participate in a
leadership training program that includes both "on-the-job" training through
working with staff and campers and daily leadership and team-building
classes. CITs must apply to be accepted to the program.
Anyone interested in joining the St. Vartan Camp staff, serving as a CIT, or
sending their children to the camp can find more information and register
on-line at Additional information can be found by
contacting Lydia Kurkjian, the camp office coordinator, by e-mailing
[email protected] or by calling (212) 686-0710, ext 142.
HYE CAMP
While registration for Midwest Hye Camp is not open yet, the one-week camp
is already being planned.
This year’s Hye Camp will run from July 29 to August 4, 2007, in Ingelside,
Illinois. More information can be found on-line at
— 3/09/07