Our First Full Day

Hello Everyone!

Well, we've had a wonderful first full day of camp, and everyone is resting up for tomorrow. 

Some of our campers started off the day at 6AM at the lake, where the campers successfully caught fish. Following the fishing, campers and staff made their way to chapel, where Der Sarkis discussed the importance of having faith and asking for help before it is too late. As soon as chapel finished, everyone made their way to the Mess Hall following the scent of scrambled eggs and bacon. 

Campers headed back up the hill to get ready and clean their cabins for cabin clean up. Deans Micah and Aleen Jendian had a very hard decision to determine who would win the jenDEAN award, but ultimately cabins 4 and 8 won. They were spotless, which we are sure as parents you would all be proud. Hopefully, they continue this clean streak once they return home! The winners will be treated to frozen yogurt tomorrow.

Throughout the morning, campers and counselors attended classes on the subjects of Armenian history, our Armenian church, Bible study, and ice breaker activities to get to know one another. The campers were very enthustiastic in class and were given "Vatche Bucks" for their participation. The morning classes concluded with pizza and popsicles.

During the afternoon session, we saw fierce competition on the basketball and volleyball courts, as well as the soccer field. Some even showed off their cart wheel abilities and others demonstrated archery skills, practicing for the sports tournament to be held later this week. Meanwhile, campers and counselors were in Arts in Crafts creating jewelery and scarves for the dance. 

Right before dinner, Srpazan arrived at camp just in time for the evening service, dinner, and the group photo. Speaking of photos, here are pictures of all of the campers with their respective cabins. Enjoy! 

 

 

The evening wrapped up with num nums in the arbor and campfire. Now, campers are all in bed and counselors are preparing for their fellowships tonight. Each cabin was assigned a "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" to spend time with the campers.

Back in the Hye Life Again

We're back in the hye life again. What a great way to start off the first day of camp!

This morning our campers started to arrive, unloading their luggage, playing tetherball and choosing whether they wanted a top or bottom bunk. After getting everyone checked in the campers ran up the hill to meet their counselors and other cabin mates. They loved their themes, everything from Famous Armenian musicians to minions to little Armenian duckies. 

At 4PM the kids were extremely energetic as they came down the hill to attend the fire drill at the flagpole. After that we had one of the most interactive and exciting orientations this camp has ever seen! The director introduced all the staff members and they riled up the campers so that their relatives in Fresno, Glendale, and even Washington DC could hear them cheer. Gary gave everyone an informative presentation on the surrounding wildlife and even told us how excited he was that Hye Camp was back in session.

We had a lovely chapel service led by our Boy's Dean and Deacon, Micah Jendian, who shared his favorite passage with us -  "This the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and take joy in it."

Freshly grilled hamburgers, corn on the cob and homemade potato salad filled everyone's tummies, and some even went up for seconds. We had our first dessert of the night, watermelon and sugar cookies, and then the campers went up the hill to get all of their jackets, props and flashlights for the evening. 

Then it was time for the ICE CREAM SOCIAL! Everyone screamed for ice cream! Big smiles all around!

Who's on deck? Campfire! A Hye Camp favorite activity, everyone gathered around the stage to do their cabin skits and sang our favorite songs. There were brown bag skits, improv skits and some messages from our director and priest. As we wrapped up, everyone headed up the hill to get ready for bed. 

What a great first day! Check the blog again tomorrow evening for an update on our first full day of camp. 

The Campers Are Here

The busses have arrived safe and sound at camp! All of our campers are heading into their cabins to meet their counselors and cabin mates, and our staff is busy preparing a wonderful week for everyone. We will be posting a daily blog of all of our activities and a few photos (all photos of the week will be posted after camp due to slow internet) so keep a look out every evening if you'd like to hear about our day.