43 Years of Fun, Friendship, and Armenian Culture Continue During Summer 2007 at AGBU Camp Nubar

On August 18, 2007, AGBU Camp Nubar wrapped up its 43rd season, providing another successful six weeks of fun, friendship, action-packed activities and Armenian culture in the scenic Hudson Valley. John Ohanian, the new director who was once a camper and counselor himself, was joined by a highly qualified staff who extended the amount of camper activities but kept many old camp traditions alive for 2007.

Camp Nubar's enrollment numbers soared this year with over 330 campers from France, Armenia, Canada, and seven US states. A one-week "trial session" was put in place to give first-year campers a small taste of what Nubar had to offer; many of these campers ended up extending their stay at least another week.

But camper numbers were not the only improvements in the off-season. A plethora of new sports equipment was purchased and an updated sewage system was rooted in place. A new, larger splinter-proof deck at the waterfront added aesthetic appeal to the already beautiful Lake Arax as well.

Campers Arrive

After a week of counselor training during "pre-camp," on July 7 the staff anxiously awaited their first-session campers. The first two weeks of camp included a counselor "Saturday Night Live"-like skit, Medieval and Hollywood-themed dances, a carnival event, Deal or No Deal camp-wide competition, and a casino night.

Many campers highlighted a competition between the boys' "hill" and the girls' "valley" as their favorite event of the session. The males and females went head to head for a day in teamwork activities, including sports, water games, arts and crafts, and eating competitions.

Because the carnival first session was such a success, second session kicked off with a similar event, including shaving cream games, a pie-eating contest, the "bounce house," slip and slide, and plenty of cotton candy, popcorn, and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

Second-session campers also enjoyed a beach party-themed dance at the lake where they had the chance to not only dance, but also boat and canoe the night away. Later in the session they put on their cowboy hats and boots for a traditional "hoe-down" dance with Western décor, which included barrels, hay, and horse saddles.

But the activity did not stop there. Second session also included the Open House celebration midway through the summer as present and past campers, counselors, family and friends gathered for a day of socializing, Armenian food, and a show put on by current camp-goers. In addition to a show at waterfront, which showcased swimming, diving, boating, water-skiing, and tubing skills to visitors, the campers and counselors performed a medley of various Broadway productions ("Chicago," "Grease" and the "Lion King") at the Nazarian Center.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern Diocese), was in attendance for the Open House festivities and later conducted the Badarak service overlooking the lake. His Eminence also stayed at camp for a "Christmas in July" evening activity that welcomed Santa Claus for a special summer gift-giving stopover.

Second-session participants also took a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in nearby Cooperstown, New York.

Color War Kicks Off

Third session is known for "Color War," a three-day competitive extravaganza including sports, team spirit, cheers, chariot races, Armenian language and dance, trivia, art, and music. As soon as the session kicked off, campers and counselors eagerly awaited the surprise beginning of Color War-a closely guarded secret that lent to the excitement of the activity, which split the entire camp into two teams, blue or gold, for three days of Color War.

This year, the Blue Anubis, led by generals Sarah Badach and Clark Sarkisian and captains Christina Lalama and Alex Distasi, beat the Golden Gladiators, led by generals Amy Ishkanian and Peter Endrigian, and captains Jackie Distasi and James Balakian. As soon as the competition was over, blue and gold immediately made green peace with a shaving cream fight and splash down by the waterfront.

Campers also eagerly collected candy wrappers to bid on their counselors during a fun-filled "Counselor Auction." They also enjoyed a talent show and a brand-new photography scavenger hunt during evening activity. For example, during the hunt, campers had to pose like a US Open star and take a picture with a digital camera; they were later graded on creativity and their ability to find exactly what the judges wanted.

Third-session campers also enjoyed a new "Buddy Day" where the oldest campers paired with the youngest campers to help them clean their cabins and organize their own belongings.

Camp traditionally ends with the banquet and candlelight celebration. This year's banquet theme was "Harry Potter," quite appropriate with the new book and movie dominating the media this summer. Candlelight is always the last Friday of the summer; campers and counselors write wishes on paper plates with candles attached to them and send them across the lake. It not only creates a beautiful scene as flames reflect on the water, but also gives people the time to reflect on yet another great summer. The rumor is that if your plate makes it to the other side of the lake, your wish will come true!

Each two-week period ended with a seamless changeover of new campers, but many general activities crossed over between all three sessions. Shish kebab, lulu kebab, and chicken kebab with pilaf and other traditional Armenian dishes for dinner were something to look forward to every Sunday night. In addition, there were weekly campfires, a daily running and swimming club in the morning, a basketball and tennis tournament, sports games with another local camp, certified horseback riding and archery instruction, and Armenian cooking, history and language lessons.

Another Summer Ends

Novel events this summer included a professional ventriloquist during the first and second sessions, weekly religious activities, including communion making, with visiting clergy, the chance to make scrapbooks in photography class, outdoor cooking, survival courses, fishing, and shelter building.

At the end of each session, campers went home with a camp newsletter, cabin photos, and a multi-media slideshow, but more importantly, the memories and friends they made in such a short time will last forever. Most have already begun counting down the days until Summer 2008 and the next time they will drive up that dirt road.

Founded in 1963, AGBU Camp Nubar is a first-rate modern facility that has been highly ranked by the American Camp Association, American Red Cross, and American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information about AGBU Camp Nubar, please visit www.campnubar.org, email campnubar@agbu.org, or call 212-319-6383.