Activities

Camp Haiastan offers a wide range of fun and exciting experiences.

From swimming in the Olympic-sized swimming pool, to the rope course, to traditional Armenian cultural activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Everyone gets a “shot” at archery during their session. The archery range is well equipped for all ages and certified instructors teach campers to shoot safely for accuracy as well as for the fun of competing in target games.

Archery

Armenian School is one of the camp’s “hye”-lights. Campers will receive daily instructional Armenian classes, led by our experienced staff focusing on Armenian & AYF history, music, language, dance, culture, and current events. Armenian school serves as a reminder of the one true similarity all campers have, of being Armenian! Armenian School is taught through audio-visual aids, hands-on projects, workbooks, games, and more!

Armenian School

Our brand new Arts & Crafts Center at AYF Camp Haiastan is designed to work hand-in-hand with Armenian School. Our Creative Arts instructors and Armenian School instructors work together to offer campers the opportunity to create a truly memorable and culturally meaningful hands-on craft projects that often reflect a particular historical event or Armenian village custom. Campers are also given the opportunity to utilize the Arts & Crafts program during free time to create their own meaningful artwork.

Arts & Crafts

At AYF Camp Haiastan competition and challenge can be found throughout our several athletic arenas. From our large grass athletic field to the brand new sand volleyball and badminton courts, to our Hye Hope Pavillion. Make sure to find your spot in line at the 4-hoop lighted basketball court for a game of Knock-out. Rain or nightfall means that we shift into our well-equipped indoor recreation facility.

Athletics & Games

Camp Olympics, the oldest running tournament at AYF Camp Haiastan, mirrored after the AYF Annual Games, is Olympics! Campers are divided into teams and for three full days, nearly every activity and skill from Armenian culture to canoeing to archery to volleyball is recreated into a competitive contest culminating with the teams parading in review before judges behind their own uniquely decorated hand-made team flags until a victor emerges

We offer nature classes where campers have the opportunity to walk around our 100-acre grounds to learn about sights, sounds, and life that compose our surroundings.

The much anticipated day of Peanut Carnival is really an atmosphere like no other. Each cabin comes up with an activity booth of their choice, where campers are able to mingle and visit each booth and participate in all activities. Don’t worry, we adhere to our no peanut policy and have kept the name for the sake of tradition.

Vartavar, the traditional Armenian festival, where people drench each other in water is observed during every session. Campers learn about the festival while participating in a variety of water activities during every sesion.

AYF Camp Haistan
Exclusive Activities

It’s a tradition at AYF Camp Haiastan for the staff to keep evening activities a secret from campers to enhance the fun and excitement. Every session begins with Introduction Night and ends two weeks later with the Olympic Victory Dance, mirrored after the AYF Annual Olympic Games. Some camper favorites are Backbreaker, Detective Game, Movie Night, Detective Game, Brainteaser, Song Night, Talent Show, Alphabet Game, Night Swim, Educational Evening, and the Dances.

Night Activities

Climb to new heights as you test your physical skills on our ROPES Challenge Course. The climbing wall, fidget ladder, trust fall, and balance platform are just a few of the challenging elements on the course that you’ll enjoy with your counselor and cabinmates. ROPES Course is the ultimate “team-building” activity at AYF Camp Haiastan.

Ropes Course

AYF Camp Haiastan offers an Olympic-size swimming pool and a scenic 25-acre Uncas Pond. At the pool, you will experience a wide variety of aquatics activities including daily instructional swim lessons, competitive pool games and camp-wide free swim. On Uncas Pond you will enjoy the beautiful scenic views while paddling in a canoe, navigating your own course in a kayak, or cruising around in a paddle-boat.

Water Activities

Camp Stories

After all these years, I never forgot the atmosphere of the camp. It was one of an extended family of young people with high energy and positive attitudes, eager to develop their identity and most of all enjoy themselves with games, activities, and socializing.

Ungerouhi Mimi Parseghian, MA

Camp News

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