On the morning of July 8, 2013 a group of 75 Armenian children (aged between 4 and 16 years old) gathered at Fogolar’s Country Club in Oakville. They were there to participate in the week long St. Vartan Summer Day Camp under the leadership of our parish priest Rev. Fr. Myron Sarkissian – Der Myron. The campers were divided into 8 groups by age led by a team of counsellors and counsellors-in-training. Each group was given the name of a province or district in Artzakh. During the week the campers participated in a variety of activities with each day having its own theme (e.g. Armenian Food, Armenian Church, Armenian Music, and Travel through Armenia, this time specifically Artzakh). A variety of crafts were made including an Artzakh flag and a clay Babig and Dadig statue. The children also participated in an Armenian cooking lesson making their own Pastarma Boeregs and Jajek while sipping on Pomegranate Ice Tea. The children were also given the chance to play soccer, dig for fossil bones, enjoy slip and slide and swim.
The camp wrapped up on Friday with a camp family picnic lunch, exhibition of crafts, a slide show from the camp and a performance for the parents. The campers recited the Hayr Mer and sang Mer Hayrenik to open the show. Following by the singing of the our traditional camp song Hye Menank and a traditional Artzakh song “Gharabaghtzin” which they had learned over the past week. The 25 counsellors and counsellors in training accompanied the campers on drums provided by our own, Kevork Guerguerian.
A camp like this was a major undertaking for the St. Vartan Oakville/Mississauga parish and could not have been possible without the contribution of time and money of various individuals. Thank you to the team of counselors, parent helpers, donators, as well as the organizing committee of the camp who included Ani Altounian, Nairi Artinian, Christine Ermarkaryan, Taline Paroyan and Houri Simonian.
Special thanks to the parents who supported the camp with the presence of their children and made the 11th annual St. Vartan Summer Day Camp such a success!! Last but not least, a special thanks to Der Myron and family for their efforts all week to continue to make this camp a reality!
Plans are well underway for the 12th Annual St.Vartan Summer Day Camp in July 2014 to at the same beautiful place, Fogolar’s Country Club.
Christine Ermarkaryan
On behalf of the St.Vartan
Armenian Summer Day Camp Committee
