Day 4 - Culture & Leadership Mix So Well!

"In creating the leadership camp our goal was to provide the campers with an environment that we wished we could have had when we were growing up; an environment in which Iranian culture is embraced and leadership skills are developed. So far, the leadership camp has exceeded all of our expectations. The group dynamic among counselors, campers and staff has been extremely positive; after only four short days on the island, we all feel as though we’ve formed meaningful and long lasting relationships with one another." – Shabnam Sharbatoghlie, Project Manager of IAAB Leadership Camp

Music and celebration mixed with discussions and panels on Wednesday as the campers’ activities included a live Iranian classical music concert, interactive information stations on various Iranian celebrations, and discussions on gender-specific issues.

The day began with a fascinating panel discussion on the experiences of young Iranian-American leaders. Nikoo Paydar and Narges Bajoghli, Co-Executive Directors of IAAB spoke sincerely about their experiences growing up Iranian-American and explained how the creation of IAAB started with a vision that they were then able to translate into reality.

Also on the panel were Dr. Farzan Parsinejad of the Iranian Studies Group at MIT and counselor Mana Kharrazi, both of whom gave candid accounts of their personal experiences and efforts to create community within the Iranian-American population. The campers later expressed their appreciation for such a panel, with one 17 year old camper stating, “Before the camp, I wasn’t exactly hopeful about our community or the potential we have to make a difference. Hearing the panel members talk about how they dealt with the challenges of being Iranian-American gave me a lot of hope.”

In the afternoon, the male and female campers were divided into two groups and given an opportunity to engage with the counselors, staff and one another on issues such as self-image, dating, and other challenges associated with growing up as an Iranian teenager in American society. The campers wholly embraced this opportunity to share some of their stories and to learn from how others have dealt with similar challenges.

An Iranian-American camp would not have been complete without dedicating time to understanding the significance of various Iranian celebrations. As such, the main conference room was converted into five stations, each representing one major celebration and an associated hands-on activity: Eid-e-Noruz – completing haft-sin trivia questions; Mehregan -- mixing ajil, Shab-e Yalda -- translating a poem by Hafez; Aroosi/Iranian weddings -- creating noghl party favors; and Chahr Shanbe Soori -- making candles.

After the celebrations were over, the campers were treated with a live performance of Iranian classical music by Counselors Yousef Tehrani and Kayvan Farchadi. Not only did the campers get to enjoy the mystical sounds of the setar and the daf, but they were also introduced to the history of the instruments and the meanings behind the enchanting music that they produce.


There are only two days left of the leadership camp and many more exciting activities, (including the talent show!) are coming up! We wish you all could be here to witness how the campers have grown since stepping off the ferry four days ago…zendebad be in javanan-e irani!