Sharareh Hakimi: June 2008 Archives

After a nearly sleepless night, campers awoke around 9:30ishhh (really, it was around 10-10:30) to get ready for the Closing Ceremony, which was scheduled to begin at 10:30am. Campers, counselors, staff and parents gathered in the lounge of Turman dormitory to reminisce over the last week's accomplishments. Counselors prepared superlative certificates for each of their campers, which were presented during the Closing Ceremony. The superlatives brought many smiles and tears, as all of Camp Ayandeh relived highlights and memories of the past week together.

Though the Closing Ceremony wrapped up by noon, campers, counselors and staff lingered with their goodbyes. Goodbye is always the most difficult part of camp, but we tried to remind campers that though we cried and we were sad, today is not "goodbye." It is "hello" - hello to the new friendships that will only grow stronger as the one year between now and Camp Ayandeh 2009 progresses. It is "see you later," because Camp Ayandeh will be here next year. We don't know where yet - give us at least a week's worth of break before we start planning Ayandeh'09! - but as soon as we do know, we will be sure to let you know.

On behalf of the staff, we just have to say that there really aren't the words to describe Camp Ayandeh 2008, but we will try. This week was incredible. The counselors and staff were constantly amazed and impressed by the maturity, the insight, the intelligence, the kindness, the passion and the energy that our campers brought to the table throughout the week. We feel that we taught, but also learned. We got as much as we gave. Camp Ayandeh 2008 was such an extraordinary experience for us all, that we have still not been able to wrap our heads around it. And it would not have been what it was without each and every one of our amazing campers. Every single member of this group of 70 added something special, without which our puzzle would not have been complete. We cannot thank every one of you enough, and only hope that you are leaving this camp with as many good memories as we are leaving with. Please, please stay in touch, post your pictures, and never, ever be a stranger.

We can't wait to see you at Camp Ayandeh 2009.

With all the love possible,

Camp Ayandeh 2008

Camp Ayandeh got off to a bit of a late start, as we gave our campers an extra hour to sleep in this morning. After breakfast and our walk back to campus from the dorms, the campers were given time to do an activity of their own design - quite literally, the name of the activity was "Design Your Own Activity." Campers were broken up into groups and given time to think about the mission of Camp Ayandeh, what kinds of activities we do, what they see in Camp Ayandeh's future, and then design an activity that they felt would fit in with the mission and future of Camp Ayandeh. This activity gave the campers free rein and let their creatives juices flow.

After lunch, we did an activity that tied into another one of IAAB's major projects that relates to Iranian-American high schoolers: the Essay Contest. After a short introduction to the Essay Contest by EC Project Manager Mina Tehrani, campers were asked to respond to this year's Essay Contest prompts, which were then discussed in their groups. Campers were also given an opportunity to think of questions that they themselves would also like to answer.

Following the Essay Contest activity, campers got into their counselor groups and began to wrap up their preparations for tonight's Talent Show. There is a great deal of secrecy among the groups, so that everyone's act remains a surprise.

Finally, the time for the Final Vasati Challenge has arrived. Counselors and campers broke up into 4 teams and began a tournament that would give one team bragging rights for the entire upcoming year: Vasati Champion. Despite the hot Georgia sun, several rounds of Vasati were played and competition for the title was intense. After Vasati, we made our final walk over to the Duc (the cafeteria) for the last "shaam" consisting of college campus food - which, if the Talent Show skits that followed dinner were any indication, we do not think the campers will miss. There is a strong suspicion that the campers will be asking for ghormeh-sabzi, kookoo and fesenjoon upon their return home!!

After dinner, we walked back to the dorms for our last discussion activity, followed by last-minute Talent Show prep. The energy level was high as campers changed into their costumes, put the finishing touches on props, and memorized their lines. Finally, it was time to showcase what the counselor groups had been working on all week. One by one, the groups made Camp Ayandeh alternatively laugh, cheer and clap. We were wowed by breakdancing, singing, parodies and comic impressions, and touched by the effort that the campers put into their skits.

Following the Talent Show, we had yet another birthday to celebrate with camp counselor Nakkisa Akhavan. Then, the party really started with our final dance party, which continued until the wee hours. The campers actually danced their way through the night, as they cherished every last moment of their last night at Camp Ayandeh 2008 together... 

Campers began their day with an exercise called "Roses and Thorns." The campers were asked what their "roses" (positive aspects of the week), "thorns" (negative aspects of the week), and "buds" (things they look forward to) are. Many campers named meeting new people and making new friends as their "roses," and said that waking up early and the Georgia heat were their "thorns." As for their "bud," it seems that almost every camper is looking forward to chelo kabob tonight!

After "Roses and Thorns," the campers utilized their new "active listening" skills during a presentation by Hossein Samei, a Persian Language professor at Emory University. We all learned something new today, as Professor Samei taught us some of the latest Farsi vernacular, such as "end-eshe" (extremely cool), "panasonic" (pretty girl), "cactus" (police) and then discussed how many English words come from the Farsi language: khaki, from "khaaki"; paradise, from "ferdows"; cumberbund from "kamarband." This lesson in linguistics gave us all a new sense of pride and appreciation for the Persian language.

After lunch, the campers had a short free time period which they used to play soccer, frisbee, and socialize. Then, they all came together for a presentation by Mahdis Keshavarz, founder and Principal of The Make Agency. Mahdis conducted an exercise with them aimed at emphasizing their cultural identity in the larger American society, asking all the campers to stand up while she asked them a series of questions ranging from "are you hairier than all of your friends?" to "do you ever wish you were blond and blue eyed?"  Campers were instructed to take a step forward whenever their answer was yes; if their answer was no, then they did not move. The exercise physically showed the campers how similar they are; in the end, they were all standing in almost the same formation as they began, meaning they took their steps together.

After the presentation by Ms. Keshavarz, the campers broke up into their club groups again, except today the campers could choose which club they attended. The clubs included music and movement, poetry and literature, public health/law, theater/improv, photography and film-making.

Once the clubs were over, the Team Challenge began. It is Camp Ayandeh tradition to host a sort of battle between counselor groups in the form of an obstacle course. This year was no exception, as Camp Ayandeh staff put together an obstacle course involving "mummifying" (wrapping one team member in toilet paper) and bobbing for apples. Rivalries ran deep and competition was high. The end goal of it all, though, was to have fun, and that goal was certainly achieved. All the campers were rewarded with a very yummy chelo kabob dinner spread upon their arrival to the dorms!            

When all the chelo kabob was gone, IAAB held a special ceremony for our 17 graduating seniors: our own version of a graduation. Counselors took turns introducing each graduating senior, who then came up to accept their card and many hugs amidst a rambunctious crowd chanting their name and clapping. There were many laughs and some tears, but we made it through the ceremony and ended on a happy note - which was a wonderful segway into what seems to be our nightly ritual - bezan-o-beraghs!!