Just As Unique and Special As I Remember

Our day started in Gyumri with 12 counselors and nearly 200 screaming campers, anxious to start their first day at camp. From ages 6 to 15, all lined up, each child was just as excited as the next. Once we split them up in to their groups (red, blue and orange), a full agenda was ahead of us. Having participated in Youth Corps in 2011, I was able to help the other participants adjust to the first day of camp. From english lessons and butt-volleyball to teaching them Mshag Panvor, getting 200 kids to cooperate was the tough part. Between the bathroom breaks, the crying, the screaming and the occasional run away child, we somehow managed to execute all that we had planned.

The highlight of my day came when a group of campers ran up to me and asked if I was Unger Levon, from summer camp 2 years ago. As soon as I saw their faces, my previous Youth Corps trip all came rushing back to me. We immediately started telling stories of the memories we shared together.

Building ties with the children of our homeland is such a special experience. An experience that is hard to put into words. A blog or a picture will not do justice to seeing the glowing smiles as the campers received simple things such as toothbrushes, t-shirts and water bottles. Day 1 was special, the next 2 weeks will be so much more.

From Gyumri,

– Levon Shant Yepremian