AW: AYF Camp Haiastan travels to Canada

Kenar Charchaflian with the badanis of the Toronto community

TORONTO and MONTREAL, Canada — AYF Camp Haiastan spent quality time with the Armenian communities of Toronto and Montreal this past weekend, hosting informational meetings for AYF juniors and their families.

Executive Director Kenar Charchaflian addressed over 40 of the “Krisdapor Mikaelian” and “Rosdom” Toronto AYF juniors on Friday. The presentation was held in the library of the Armenian Community Center of Toronto. The audience was also filled with eager parents, who will hopefully send their children to camp this summer.

Kenar Charchaflian presenting at the Armenian Community Centre in Toronto, March 24

On Saturday, Charchaflian addressed the Montreal “Tro” and Laval “Kedashen” Junior Chapters. AYF members asked questions and participated in the discussion during which they received some free camp merchandise. Afterwards, a parent-specific Q&A session was held, which covered more of the logistics and safety protocols.

Kenar Charchaflian presenting at Sourp Hagop Armenian School, Montreal, March 25

“I want to thank the ARF Central Committees of the Eastern Region and Canada for helping to coordinate these events,” said Charchaflian. “It has been quite some time since Camp Haiastan has shown a presence in these communities, and I consider this past weekend the first stepping stone in strengthening our relations with the Canada-hye communities.”

During this off-season tour, AYF Camp Haiastan also visited Chicago and Detroit. More community visits will be announced soon.

Located in Franklin, Massachusetts, AYF Camp Haiastan, was founded in 1951 and is the oldest Armenian camp in the United States. The Camp prides itself on providing a healthy and safe experience to Armenian-American youth to help them foster their Armenian identity and establish lifelong friendships.


Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS