INAUGURAL ALL-ARMENIAN YOUTH CAMP A GREAT SUCCESS
The 70 participants of Australia’s first ever All-Armenian Youth Camp left Milson Island on Monday 22 January asking organisers for more of the same.
Organised by the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), the Camp brought together high school-age young Australians of Armenian descent, and provided them with a four-day agenda including activities, discussions and a social environment.
“All the campers were sad to leave on Monday and begged our Committee to repeat this great initiative again in 2008,” said AYF Chairperson Kevork Sarhad Tufenkjian.
“We were pleased with the participant spirit of all campers, their behaviour and the help received in running the Camp from the excellent staff at Milson Island.”
Campers were split into three groups on day one of, competing throughout their stay in competitions such as Trivia and a fun Swimming Carnival.
The groups also took part in professionally supervised activities; including Archery, Fencing, High Ropes and Kayaking. They also took full advantage of the 50-metre swimming pool in the soaring New South Wales North Coast heat.
The Talent Quest held one evening exhibited the comic side of the Australian-Armenian youth, and entertained many including the judges.
The State Member of Parliament for Willoughby, Ms Gladys Berejiklian, attended the All-Armenian Youth Camp as a guest speaker on Saturday, sharing with the youth her experiences living in public life. Ms Berejiklian had a profound effect on all attending, and the campers took it upon themselves to pick up paintbrushes to paint the very first banners of her 2007 re-election campaign.
Noted community motivational speaker, Mr. Vicken Kortian also attended in a guest capacity, encouraging all in attendance to believe in the power of a united group approach to life and community issues. Mr. Kortian ran stimulating activities to help convey his points.
Kevork Tufenkjian and Haig Kayserian, both of the Organising Committee, ran a Discussion with campers on the ‘Importance of being Armenian’. They reported that the group was adamant “the Australian-Armenian community must survive into the future”.
“The group, ranging in age from 12-18, was genuinely worried about the decline in youth participation in community organisations and Armenian schools,” shared Haig Kayserian.
“They collectively pledged to take action and ensure all these organisations and schools will remain in existence by the time they bring their children into this world.”
The inaugural All-Armenian Youth Camp was a great succes, and is expected to become part of the landscape of the Australian-Armenian community for years to come.
To view images of the Camp, please click through to:
ALL-ARMENIAN YOUTH CAMP GALLERY
