Major Donors Support AGBU Camp Nubar 50th Anniversary

Apelian Family Donates $30,000 & Margossian Family Donates $20,000

AGBU Camp Nubar continues to receive generous contributions in honor of its 50th anniversary from families who understand firsthand that anyone who spends a summer there will come home with renewed pride in his or her Armenian heritage, and new friends from all corners of the world.

Most recently, Nishan (Pete) and Elizabeth Apelian of New York donated $30,000 to purchase new lakefront docks, and Jack and Carol Margossian of New Jersey donated $20,000 toward overall camp improvement.

Nishan Apelian dedicated a full decade to Camp Nubar as a committee member beginning in the early 1970’s because he believed that supporting Armenian youth was the best way to preserve and perpetuate his heritage, and that the camp was the ideal venue for young Armenian Americans to interact, relate with one another and share their cultural values in a fun environment. As a result, his three children – Chuck, Denise and Pat – all attended camp.

Their memorable summers began in 1968 (Chuck and Pat) and 1970 (Denise), when the program had just moved to its present site. Chuck was a senior counselor for two years and taught camp craft, during which time his team built a large lookout tower. Denise started at the age of eight and went on to become a CIT (counselor in training) and a junior counselor; she taught ceramics and karate.

Pat, however, was the most involved – after attending as a camper for some years, she was a staff member for five years and became the girls’ head counselor in 1976. She ran the camp’s newspaper (Fall Clove Journal) and printed copies with a mimeograph machine donated by her father. In addition, she was among a group of four girls who started the music and drama program – the campers would stage productions of The King and I, The Sound of Music and other musicals.

Her college application essay was about Camp Nubar, and after graduating with her degree, she joined the camp committee for the next ten years; for a few of those years, she also served as the treasurer. By this point, the camp had grown exponentially, and at least half the committee comprised former campers who loved their alma mater so much they dedicated their spare time to ensuring its longevity. Two of Pat’s children – Kate and Jenny Aitken – have also attended camp.

“For me, Camp Nubar was a wonderful opportunity for young people to develop, with our Armenian identity as a backdrop. In fact, it was the only opportunity for many Armenian children and young adults to connect with their heritage. During those two months of summer, we grew up more than we did the other ten months of the year. There were no preconceived notions of what you could or couldn’t do; everyone participated, whether it was Talent Night or swimming,” recalled Pat.

She, like thousands of other campers, met fellow Armenians whom they would call friends for life. One of her closest camp friends also has a daughter, and Pat said, “Our children have grown up like cousins over the years. Camp Nubar has that certain element to create ties that bind our youth together.”

Nishan knew that he wanted to make a donation that would last through the years, and the replacement of the lakefront docks seemed just right. They have not been changed since camp was bought decades ago, and campers will benefit directly through this gift.

Speaking on behalf of his wife and himself, he said, “Our four parents came to the United States from Turkey with a dream to freely and safely live their lives, raise a family and practice their Armenian faith.  Over the past 50 years, AGBU’s Camp Nubar has played a significant role in providing opportunities for our youth, and in keeping alive their Armenian cultural identity and heritage. Liz and I are grateful for the close friendships and fond memories that our children and grandchildren have from their summers at camp, and sincerely hope that our donation ensures that Camp Nubar will continue to thrive for many future generations of Armenian Americans.”

The rededication of the lakefront will take place during the special 50th Anniversary Open House on Sunday, July 28, 2013, in the presence of hundreds of alumni, supporters and campers.

For Jack and Carol Margossian, Camp Nubar has been a part of their lives for decades. Both attended between 1969 and 1976 as counselors. Jack continued his involvement over the years as a committee member, and the couple is proud to count many of their relatives and closest friends as fellow alumni.

Their children, Sarah and Ted Partin, surely felt that magical bond from an early age – they, too, went to camp for a decade each, beginning in 1983 (Sarah) and 1984 (Ted). Sarah continues to remain very involved as the camp committee chair. Today, her children, Armen and Jamie – who are fourth generation Armenians – attend Camp Nubar.

Mrs. Margossian notes, “We feel Camp Nubar encourages a sense of Armenian identity better than any other Armenian youth program, and we want that experience for our grandchildren.

All of us met lifelong friends there. It is our pleasure to support Camp Nubar as an investment toward its future. The camp has lovingly nurtured in us and our children the seed of Armenian pride planted by our parents, James (an Armenian Genocide survivor) and Queenie Melcon; and Krikor and Vivian Margossian.”

Hundreds of alumni and supporters are slated to attend AGBU Camp Nubar’s 50th Anniversary events in New York City on July 26 and on the campgrounds on July 28, 2013. Donations to AGBU Camp Nubar’s 50th Anniversary campaign can be made here: http://campnubar.org/50.