Yesterday could only be described as bittersweet. After the Camp Ayandeh closing ceremony, and a sentimental slideshow of pictures from throughout the week, campers began to go their separate ways. 

The remainder of the morning and the whole afternoon was a blur of laughter and tears. Campers, counselors and staff alike were exchanging phone numbers and emails, determined to stay in touch with one another.

Once the final bus to the airport had left campus, the reality that the end of camp had arrived finally hit us. “I cannot wait to come back next year,” exclaimed first-time camper Nima Abtahi.

A week of discussions, debreifs, and dancing has come to a close. But as Arman Carter put it in his Fifth Anniversary celebration speech, “Camp Ayandeh stays with you even after the week is over”.

Thank you to all who read the blog this week. On behalf of the PR team, it has been a pleasure!

Camp Ayandeh 2010: Day 5 – Video Recap from Iranian Alliances Across Borders on Vimeo.

The high spirit that spread throughout the camp during yesterday’s vasati game, resonated throughout the remainder of the day.

After the Zamboorz defeated the other counselor groups in the Camp Ayandeh Team Challenge, a staff-initiated water balloon fight broke out on the university campus. I never realized how sneaky some of our counselors and campers are!

The positivity of the day was celebrated after dinner at a special concert event. The Yellow Dogs, a rock band composed of young Iranian musicians, stars of the film “No One Knows about Persian Cats” volunteered to perform a set for IAAB’s Ayandeh campers.

“To end yesterday with the Yellow Dogs was awesome,” said Tara Golshan. “I had the best time!”

Camper Shayan Malta opened for the band with a recitation of a thoughtful poem he had composed during Arash and Narges’ first writing workshop, while Saeed Vossoughi and Kevin Ehteshami closed the show with their beat-boxing.

Today’s focus is that of accomplishment and celebration. Campers will be spending the morning debriefing on any of the past week’s discussions and activities, and preparing for tonight’s talent show event.

Then, over a lunch of Chelo Kabab, we’ll tune into ESPN to watch the World Cup Final. There’s nothing like good food and soccer to bring these Iranian Americans together!

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Last night’s jam session was nothing short of phenomal. While Arton Falahati impressed us on violin, and Daniel Duffin and Rameen Vafa serenaded everyone strumming guitar, Kamran Partovi and Tina Paik electrified the crowd with their piano playing.

The jam session ended the day with a strong sense of community and togetherness amongst the campers, staff, and counselors.

This morning began with a few more commemoratory speeches from campers celebrating memories of years past and Camp Ayandeh’s fifth anniversary. Then, we all moved out onto the fields for a camp-wide game of vasati; campers versus counselors and staff (blue shirts)!

Who won, you ask? Well, let’s just say we were all winners in the end…

Later this afternoon counselor groups will compete in the team challenge, which is an obstacle course including physical and academic challenges. Good luck, campers!

“Leadership is nothing if not meant for the collective purpose.”

These are the words of Martin Luther King Jr., as read by Lizette Ortega Dolan this afternoon at her workshop on gender and leadership.

IAAB was lucky enough to have at Camp Ayandeh, Lizette, a teacher at Athenian College Preparatory High School and a Ph.D. student studying education. She began by reading a Robert Frost poem, and then by challenging the campers’ focus of mind.

Can you alternate between pointing your index finger with one hand, and giving a thumbs up with the other? It’s tough!

Lizette next asked the campers to think about what kind of leaders and followers they are. She facilitated short activities such as choosing a partner, and following his or her palm with your face. She also asked the campers to categorize themselves as an animal that would reflect their personality and leadership types. They chose between a turtle, fox, rabbit, and a hawk.

“I realize that I am a rabbit, because rabbits don’t like confrontation,” said first-time camper Michelle Nozzari.

Lizette’s workshop allowed campers to deepen their understanding of their own leadership skills.

And tonight, a few of our young leaders will show camp their musical talent in another jam session! Be sure to check out the blog tomorrow for this loving critic’s thoughts on the show.