Shabe-e Yalda Reunites Camp Ayandeh Campers, Counselors For a Night of Music and Celebration

On the evening of Saturday, January 2nd, friends and family celebrated the Winter solstice at the annual Shab-e Yalda party hosted by the Rad family. The Rads, of whom current IAAB staff members Rosa and Reza are Camp Ayandeh alumni, and whose older sister Fereshteh is a returning counselor, have been involved with IAAB for years.

“We throw a party for Yalda because it's an important holiday in Iranian culture and it tends to be forgotten,” Rosa Rad explained. “Our party is a way for everyone to get together and see each other, while celebrating an important Iranian holiday.”

Amongst the guests that evening, 18 were former Camp Ayandeh attendees, all of whom enjoyed a night of eating pomegranate, ash reshteh, music and dancing.

“I try to embrace my Iranian culture as much as possible,” said Autusa Pahlavan, who attended Camp Ayandeh for the first time in 2009. “I love coming to [the Rad’s] Shab-e Yalda party –I always have a great time.”

Autusa’s favorite part of the night was talking to the other guests and catching up with those she had not seen since the end of summer. “I always enjoy being surrounded by everybody because it feels like I am back at camp!”

IAAB carries a deep sense of pride for the bonds and solidarity generated among campers and counselors over the course of a week at Camp Ayandeh. As highlighted in last week’s newsletter, IAAB’s Camp Ayandeh has a retention rate of over 50%, and just within the last 6 months campers from around the country have organized multiple camp reunions in their local communities.

To learn more about IAAB’s Camp Ayandeh, please visit www.iranianalliances.org/campayandeh.