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You Know You’re an Unger When… – U. Shaunt Oozoonian

You Know You’re an Unger When…

By U. Shaunt Oozoonian, Orange County Ashod Yergat chapter, California

You know that you deserve the title ‘Unger’ when you make a camper smile. You know you deserve the title when at the end of the session a camper comes up to you and says, “I had the time of my life, thank you.” You know you deserve the title when campers contact you during the off-season making sure you will be working at Camp again. You know you deserve the title when you know that you had a positive impact in a camper’s life.

Camp is the place Armenian youth come to have fun, to practice our language, to learn our culture, to remember our history, to grow as individuals. I, along with all of my other Ungers and Ungerouhis, strive to ensure that all campers’ experiences surpass their expectations while ensuring their safety.

If a camper enters the cabin feeling lost, it is my hope to show direction. If the camper enters in tears, it is my hope he leaves with a smile. If the camper enters feeling like a stranger, it is my hope we know each other at the end of the day. If the camper enters full of happiness, I will share his excitement. If the camper enters worried, it is my hope to put him at ease. If the camper enters with a dream, I will watch it develop for him. If the camper enters the cabin, it is my hope we both grow stronger.

Being an Unger is a 24/7 job and it doesn’t end when Camp ends. Being an Unger is larger than life; it never ends. AYF Camp Haiastan is my home and it is my duty to serve the needs of each camper.