Page 12 - AMAANewsJulyAugSept2021_Neat

Summer Camps: Cradle of Leaders

History and Impact of AMAA Armenia Summer Camps

AMAA's Camp Kar-Kar in Stepanakert, Artsakh, during the mid-1990s.
By Harout Nercessian*

MAA Armenia camps strive to decades, would host thousands of young dren and youth from ECA Sunday schools,
provide children ̶ especially campers, instilling in them Christian and various AMAA programs, and by other

those from low-income families national values. Several ECA pastors, lay qualifying children. The AMAA also holds
A̶ with a week of summer adven- leaders, AMAA employees and volunteers day camps in over 30 towns and villages
tures, games, excursions, arts & crafts, great consider the 1992 camp season their spiritual for children who cannot attend the sleep
food and even a dash of mischief. All served birthplace. away camps. Every summer, 5,000 children
on a tray of Christian love. In 2003, the AMAA purchased Camp participate in these programs.
Zepur in the Hankavan region of Arme- The AMAA Armenia Summer Camp
1. Creation and History of the Armenia nia and renamed it AMAA Camp Sheen Program is of personal significance to me.
Camps Shoghig. The camps of 1992 and 1995 where I vol-
The creation of the AMAA Armenia The AMAA Artsakh Camp Program unteered, left a lasting impact on me. Later,
camps can be traced back to the pre-inde- started in the post-war summer of 1995 at when I moved to Armenia, I directed the
pendence Soviet period of summer 1990, Camp Kar-Kar near Stepanakert. These were AMAA Camp Program from 1996 until 2004.
when a group of Armenian Evangelicals formative years for the newly independent
from France and California, led by Rev. country. Many AMAA Artsakh employees, 2. Impact of the Camps
Gilbert Léonian, ran a 21-day camp for 150 volunteers and community members were No one disputes that the childhood and
children at Camp Parvana in Dzaghgatzor. introduced to the AMAA at Camp Kar-Kar young adult years are the most formative
In August 1991, the AMAA sent volun- where they first learned about God’s love. periods of one’s life. World views, including
teers from Montreal to run Daily Vacation Bible The program moved to Shushi in 2003 belief systems and values are shaped during
Schools in cooperation with local churches. when the AMAA acquired a property and these early periods.
The 1992 AMAA Camp season, held converted it to a camp, which they named Upon arrival, campers are divided into
in Nor Hajin, 20 kilometers outside of Ye- the AMAA Camp Bedrosian. small groups of 10, each led by a camp
revan, was both historic and consequential. These camps are jointly operated by counselor. Most activities are done in small
This inaugural camp season launched the the Evangelical Church of Armenia (ECA) groups. Campers and counselors sleep in the
AMAA Camp Program that, during ensuing and the AMAA. They are enjoyed by chil- same room, eat at the same table, hold group

Camp Bedrosian, Shushi, Artsakh. Camp Sheen Shoghig, Hankavan, Armenia. Camp Sheen Shoghig, Hankavan, Armenia.

12 | AMAA NEWS, July-Aug-Sept 2021