Introducing the New 2009 AGBU Camp Nubar Director Jennifer Omartian
Monday, April 6, 2009
AGBU Camp Nubar is pleased to announce that Jennifer Omartian will serve as the 2009 Camp Director. Jennifer first came to Camp Nubar, located in the Catskill Mountain Region of New York, in 1993 and she has returned yearly ever since. She began as a counselor for several years before going on to serve as Activities Director, Girls Head Counselor, and Assistant Director. No other director in the 46-year history of Camp Nubar has spent more time at the Catskill camp than Jennifer, which is a clear indication of her passion for the facility by idyllic Lake Arax.
Jennifer grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, where she attended St.
Mark Church in neighboring Springfield, MA. She graduated from James Madison University where she received her master's degree in Middle School Education. Jennifer now resides in Virginia and attends St. Mary Church in Washington, D.C.
The following is a short interview with the new Camp Director about the plans for summer 2009.
AGBU: What are your goals and hopes for the summer?
Jennifer Omartian: Preparation is crucial for a safe and fun season. I will ensure that counselors are prepared, qualified, and ready for
another successful summer.
I hope to see campers and counselors work alongside one another, to grow as individuals and into one family. Campers learn from their counselors, but counselors learn from their campers as well. Every session has a unique blend of people from different places. I look forward to seeing how each session will create its own set of memories using the same resources and facilities.
AGBU: What are your favorite aspects of camp and do you have any favorite memories?
JO: I love the anticipation that surrounds camp. Throughout the year, campers and counselors anticipate the following summer, the friends they will be reunited with, the bonds they will form and the memories they will make. When camp begins, the campers and counselors anxiously wait for their favorite camp event, whether it is an evening activity, a carnival, or Color War. Throughout their camp careers, campers count down the summers until they finally become a counselor.
I also love seeing the camp family within the greater Armenian community. It is such a wonderful feeling to walk into church, a basketball game, or a picnic and see campers and counselors so eager to see each other and talk about camp.
My favorite camp memory was watching my very first group of G1 campers mature every summer and then serve as counselors.
AGBU: What is your current occupation and what do you enjoy about it?
JO: I teach sixth-grade social studies in Fairfax County, Virginia. I love the diversity at my school and the many challenges that it presents on a daily basis. I teach students from all over the world and it amazes me how they blend together and learn from each other while maintaining pride in their own identity. I see this same sense of pride in our campers. Camp Nubar excels at encouraging campers to build a sense of pride in their personal and community identities. I look forward to another amazing summer at Camp Nubar.
Founded in 1963, AGBU Camp Nubar is a first-rate modern facility that has been highly ranked by the American Camp Association, American Red Cross, and American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information about AGBU Camp Nubar, please visit www.campnubar.org, email campnubar@campnubar.org, or call 212-319-6383.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit www.agbu.org.
East Coast Young Professionals Kick Off Summer at 3rd Annual YPGNY Camp Nubar Retreat
July 21 2008
AGBU Press Office
212.319.6383
press@agbu.org
Fifty young professionals from the greater New York area, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and, for the first time, from as far afield as Los Angeles, ventured to upstate New York the weekend of June 20-22 to attend the third annual Young Professionals (YP) Retreat at Camp Nubar. Hosted by the AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY), the retreat took place in the state's scenic Catskill Mountains and offered an opportunity for participants to relax and network amongst newfound peers.
After the group settled into their semi-private cabins and unpacked their bags, everyone gathered on the basketball courts for a pizza party and a mini "Color War," a traditional Camp Nubar game that combines performing arts and sports.
"The first night's activity always brings everyone together and sets the tone for the weekend. Whether you were a Camp alum or not, everyone had a fabulous time and laughter continued throughout the night," said Alexis Halejian, retreat Co-Chair.
The next day, YP campers took advantage of the great outdoors with a vast menu of activities. The morning began with a professionally taught yoga class on the edge of the spring-fed Lake Arax. Then, throughout the day, participants were able to enjoy a variety of water activities, including rowing, canoeing and swimming, under the watchful eye of a certified lifeguard. Other activities included tennis tournaments, basketball and a backgammon mini-tournament, which continued well into the afternoon.
Saturday evening began with a wine-tasting activity organized by Vadim Krisyan, who, informed by his wine expertise, offered a crash course in wine-food pairings and explored everything from gourmet cheeses and olives to hummus and lahmajoon (Armenian pizza). The evening ended with a bonfire sing-along.
In the end, the YP Retreat proved to be an unique bonding experience for all. "Camp Nubar has been a home away from home to me since my first summer as a camper in 1986. Now, as a member of YPGNY, it brings me great joy to organize these weekend trips so that others can share the experiences unique to Camp Nubar," stated Harout Gebian, alumnus of Camp Nubar and a member of YPGNY.
Event co-chairman and Camp Nubar alumnus, James Ishkanian, agreed. "The retreat weekend exemplified the true character and spirit of Camp Nubar—a great place for Armenians to come together, relax and enjoy the outdoors."
YPGNY intends to donate any funds raised during the weekend to Camp Nubar as a symbol of their appreciation for a facility that has offered a summer haven for youth of Armenian descent since 1963.
AGBU Camp Nubar is a modern facility that has been highly ranked by the American Camp Association, American Red Cross, and American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information about AGBU Camp Nubar, please visit www.campnubar.org, email campnubar@agbu.org, or call 212-319-6383.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit www.agbu.org.
