Dreams Become Reality

BY KRISTINA KARAYAN

One week down, three more to go!

Where has the time gone? I have to say I have never been so exhausted in my life! These kids are definitely a handful—but are the funniest bunch I have ever met.

Each of them is more vibrant than the other.

I am proud to be the group leader of the Blue group who has managed to consonantly come in 2nd place in all of their activities throughout the week (which is driving Marae CRAZY).   This week we had the opportunity to play butt-volleyball, steal the bacon, dodgeball, and a few friendly games of soccer.

The most difficult thing I must say is getting the groups attention, they are all so hyper and excited to be at camp it is overwhelming!  Before we can even finish a sentence they are impatiently raising their hands, trying to catch our attention.  It can be out of hand, but at the same time it is heartwarming to see every single child so eager to be the one who gets to hold the Armenian and Tashnagtzutyan flag during our opening and closing ceremonies day in and day out.

We have finally mastered a way to calm the classes down our secret weapon is the mighty Unger Allen!  Allen has been playing the bad cop role to keep the kids from getting too rowdy.  For us counselors, it is difficult to hold back our giggles while Allen is in his stern mode towards the kids, because we have gotten to know Allen and he is definitely not what we make him out to be to the kids.

Besides that, we spend most of our free time playing heads up seven up with kids, which is our excuse for a nap time (we wish!), or joking around by singing and dancing.  The kids motivate us to do more, and it is well worth it once they are smiling back at you.

Once the clock strikes four we are all ready to pass out from exhaustion but of course Gourgen and Ardashes, otherwise known as the “Dubai brothers,” (for their matching Dubai hats) are always the last to leave.  Thus we all huddle up in room 4 to clean up, recap, and sometimes take a quick nap before we embark on our march back to Deegen Lilig’s for one of her mouth watering feasts!

Let’s not neglect to mention our visits to the local “khanoot” for our daily dose of maroojne (ice cream).

This has become our daily routine for the past week and I must say it has been amazing… I can’t imagine spending my summer any other way.  Youth Corps has given me the opportunity to not only visit my homeland for the first time, but experience the life of a deghatsi first hand.  This experience has made me ten times more grateful for my lifestyle back home, but I am in love with this place!

I <3 Gyumri!