Last weekend was quite interesting. I went to Camp Haiastan up in Massachusetts for the AYF Senior Seminar. The days were filled with lectures and discussions, while the nights were spent around a camp fire. Few people showed up, but the group was quality and bonded in the quaint setting. It's been a while since I've been back to Camp H. I spent 11 summers of my life there, and many random weekends throughout off season, too. I have yet to see it under snow, which I hear is beautiful.
A bust of General Karekin Nejdeh stands in the middle of the cabin circle, which has been there for the last 40 years. The Camp itself celebrated its 50th Anniversary a couple years ago. Sometimes I go up to Nejdeh and chat with him about the state of the organization, and I hear that I'm not the only one who has. Camp holds a very sentimental value that even if you have never been there, don't know what it is, aren't even Armenian, you could walk onto the Camp grounds and feel the presence of endless memories. Just looking around, you can see evidence of kids making friendships to last a lifetime.
Some think of Camp as the Armenia outside of Armenia. It's more than that. I also had a chance to catch up with the groundskeeper, Tim Sherman. He's been the cook, the caretaker, the construction worker, the innovator, intimidator and friend to many. I was working in the kitchen with him back in 1995. Since, we've been good friends. A true American who plays hockey, lives in Franklin, etc., he is the most Armenian among us. He has devoted his life to this Camp. I just wish he knew his worth because without him, the Camp wouldn't run as smoothly as it does and the many generations of Armenians that pass through each session wouldn't become part of this tight circle of friendship.
We also attended the Worcester AYF 70th Anniversary dance that Saturday night, with the Aravod Ensemble as entertainment. A small, but proud community, Worcester put on a good show for us, and we sure had a good time.
Sorry to all of you in Boston who I didn't get to visit while I was up there. Will post photos in my next log once I print them.
A bust of General Karekin Nejdeh stands in the middle of the cabin circle, which has been there for the last 40 years. The Camp itself celebrated its 50th Anniversary a couple years ago. Sometimes I go up to Nejdeh and chat with him about the state of the organization, and I hear that I'm not the only one who has. Camp holds a very sentimental value that even if you have never been there, don't know what it is, aren't even Armenian, you could walk onto the Camp grounds and feel the presence of endless memories. Just looking around, you can see evidence of kids making friendships to last a lifetime.
Some think of Camp as the Armenia outside of Armenia. It's more than that. I also had a chance to catch up with the groundskeeper, Tim Sherman. He's been the cook, the caretaker, the construction worker, the innovator, intimidator and friend to many. I was working in the kitchen with him back in 1995. Since, we've been good friends. A true American who plays hockey, lives in Franklin, etc., he is the most Armenian among us. He has devoted his life to this Camp. I just wish he knew his worth because without him, the Camp wouldn't run as smoothly as it does and the many generations of Armenians that pass through each session wouldn't become part of this tight circle of friendship.
We also attended the Worcester AYF 70th Anniversary dance that Saturday night, with the Aravod Ensemble as entertainment. A small, but proud community, Worcester put on a good show for us, and we sure had a good time.
Sorry to all of you in Boston who I didn't get to visit while I was up there. Will post photos in my next log once I print them.
posted by Arsineh at 8:18 PM
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