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Thank You for My Second Home – U. Sanan Malkadjian

There aren’t many words to describe the feeling of being “home” again. Emotions rise and smiles become the norm as you make the AYF Camp Haiastan grounds your home for two weeks. Right when you reach the steps of camp you realize that everything you need is right in front of you and every second is golden because it ends sooner than you think. The atmosphere and the environment lift your heart. All of the ungers/ungerouhis become like your parents and the campers become the brothers and sisters you have always wanted.

AYF Camp Haiastan is certainly the best place on Earth. It is the prime example of how the Armenian youth are so powerful. So many Armenians gather around the country to preserve and share their culture. Everyone becomes one big, happy family that you grow and create networks with.

The past two weeks at AYF Camp Haiastan made me realize how lucky I am to be Armenian and how the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime. Not only did we learn more about our history, but we learned how to make a difference. Each day at camp would just get better. If I could use two words to sum up my experience at camp it would simply be thank you. Not only thank you to my counselors and friends for making my two weeks the best they could be but a thank you to the AYF-YOARF for having a camp I call my second home.