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Summer Camp Enrollment

Camper Application Overview

Campers must be between the ages of eight and seventeen. A camper who desires to attend more than one week may do so only if space is available. The maximum capacity provision of the camp will be strictly enforced. Therefore, to ensure registration in your preferred week, please apply early. Priority will be given to early registration.

AYF Summer Camp Registration Fees

• $425 per camper
• $50 sibling or additional week discount will be applied
• $25 late fee for applications received after May 31, 2013
• $25 roundtrip bus service from Alex Pilibos Armenian School, Hollywood
• $200 non-refundable cancellation fee. Minimum of one week notice is required for all cancellations.

Online Application Checklist – Read Prior to Starting Online Application Below

1. Create an Account -  Enter the parent email address and password on the first page to create your family account. The email and password may be used at later times to log back in and make changes to camper applications.

2. Family & Camper Personal Information – Have a photo of the camper ready for upload before starting the application.

3. Doctor & Health Information – Have a photo of the camper’s Medical Insurance Card ready for upload before starting the application.

4. Activity Waivers – The application includes two activity waivers. The Rock Climbing Waiver is mandatory and the Airsoft Waiver is optional.

5. T-Shirt Contest: Submissions may be uploaded through the online application. The winner of the contest will have their design on all AYF Summer Camp 2013 t-shirts and attend the week of their choice for free. Winner will be refunded their payment when the winning design is chosen, so please submit payment with the application to ensure registration for the camper’s preferred week. In honor of AYF Camp’s 35th anniversary, this year’s t-shirt contest will be themed "vintage". The design be 5 colors and have “AYF Camp 2013” and “Est. 1977” on it. (Designs can be uploaded with application, mailed in, or emailed)

6. Payment – Parents may choose to pay with Check, Cash, Money Order or Credit Card. Please select your choice and follow the directions on the application.

7. All applicants will receive a CONFIRMATION email from our office within ONE week of registration. We will also contact parents if applications are incomplete (missing information or payment).

Apply here.

Once There Was and Was Not: A Modern Day Folktale from Armenia

A Modern Day Folktale from Armenia, $10, plus S/H (around $9) and your state tax

Purchase book.

A modern day Folktale From Armenia, is based on a true story. The Armenian proverb unites three best friends and one beautiful cow in the modern day folk tale about sharing, caring and responsibility. The book, for fifth and sixth graders, reminds us how small acts can change the world for the better. Written by Page McBrier and illustrated by Stefano Vitale.

America’s Christian Credit Union

America’s Christian Credit Union believes every child deserves a forever family. Their adoption loan program has helped place over 700 children in loving homes. In addition to adoption loans, ACCU provides effective banking solutions to individuals and ministries that empower them to reach their financial goals while expanding God’s Kingdom. They have an extensive range of financial services and products, including checking, savings, mortgages, car loans, and investments. Every dollar entrusted to ACCU gets reinvested to build churches and fund ministries. ACCU members have led the fight against human trafficking, fed the homeless, nurtured the next generation of believers, and provided orphans with forever homes through their special Adoption Loan Program. They feel called to promote the cause of the orphan, and stand ready to help Christian families open their homes to needy children worldwide. Learn more by downloading this flyer.

Can We Talk? When Kids Start Asking About Adoption

Thursday, July 18, 2013
7PM Central
Q&A: 8PM

In the car…in the kitchen…at bedtime…it can happen when you least expect it – your child asks you a question about adoption and you don’t know how to answer it. As much as you prepared for this, when it actually happens it can be very difficult.

Maybe you haven’t talked about adoption yet, the answer is tough to hear or you just don’t have enough information to answer your child’s questions. But your answer matters. Talking matters.

Join us for a webinar featuring Pat Johnston, Author and Publisher, as she discusses:

• Common questions kids start asking and when
• How and when to share the tough stuff
• Answering questions with limited information

Register here.

Radio Show: How Mental and Physical Issues of Pre-Adoptive Parents are Treated in Adoption

Creating A Family will host a panel of four adoption professionals to talk about how mental and physical health issues in pre-adoptive parents are treated by adoption professionals in domestic and international adoption, and what pre-adoptive parents need to know.

Questions are welcome to be submitted in advance to info@creatingafamily.org. You can listen/download the show here.

Hearing on a Review of US Foreign Assistance for Children in Adversity

May 21, 2013: View the "Hearing on a Review of US Foreign Assistance for Children in Adversity" chaired by Senator Landrieu (D).  This hearing is in regards to a new National Action Plan for Children in Adversity which is setting the stage for children in foreign countries to have strong beginnings, families first through all possible options, and protection from violence, abuse and exploitation. 

Forward to the 1:03:03 mark of the video to hear the Dr. Susan Bissell, Chief of Child Protection, Program Division for UNICEF respond to Senator Landrieu’s pointed and thought provoking questions. Senator Landrieu asks questions about UNICEF’s budget allocation toward permanency efforts for unparented children, methodology and inability to account for the true number orphans living outside of parental care, narrowly defined as a single orphan (one parent living) or a double orphan (both parents living). 

Thank you to Chuck Johnson, President and CEO of the National Council For Adoption (NCFA), for sharing the link and keeping us informed. 

Rex’s First Field Trip

Around this time two years ago, we received our last update on Rex from Yerevan.  It had been six long months since we’d held him and a court date still was not in sight for us.  Looking at these pictures then made me so sad, but seeing them today breaks my heart even more because I know Rex’s personality and expressions now and recognize the tremendous pain, loneliness and frustration he must have been feeling when these photos were taken.

Today, just two short years later, Rex ventured on his first field trip with his classmates, teachers, and a pack of parents at his side.  Watching him enjoy the day, I couldn’t help but think of those photos of him in the pink turtleneck and struggled to hold back the tears.  What a difference it has made for this wonderful boy that we found him, were entrusted with his care, and granted the privilege to call him our son.

Rex loved the hayride, especially when the trees made a roof over our wagon

Rex at Pioneer Village, building a fire and cooking

Enjoying the giant ball pit

Braving the super fast, long slide

This is the face of adoption, the face of a boy who is loved by his family, the face of a child receiving the best possible care for his medical and developmental needs, the face of happiness.  This is the face that makes my heart sing every single day.

"Lost & Found in Armenia"! June 7th. What theater will you see the film in?

 

Glendale – Five Star Cinema
Beverly Hills – Laemmle Music Hall
Encino – Laemmle Town Center
Burbank – AMC Burbank
Fresno/Clovis – Sierra Vista 16
Boston – AMC Methuen
Detroit – AMC Forum
Philadelphia – AMC Hamilton 24
DC – AMC Rio

Something to Consider for Your Next Census 2020 Report

Something to Consider for your next Census 2020 Report

Date: 2010 US Census

Very soon you will receive a U.S. Census form in the mail, which is a simple questionnaire comprised of only ten questions (see sample and instructions attached to this e-mail). We encourage you to complete the form for your household, and mail it back by April 1, 2010. For the Georgians living in the United States, this is a once in a decade opportunity to ensure that your Georgian ethnic background is shown. Indication of your ethnic background this helps estimate the number of the Georgian population in the United States.

To indicate that your ethnic background is Georgian, please carefully answer question #9 on the Census Form – check "WHITE" and then "SOME OTHER RACE" and finally, write "GEORGIAN" in the last field. By doing so your Georgian identity will be recorded as a separate subcategory.

The United States Constitution obligates the Federal Government to conduct a census every 10 years. Information collected for the census will help to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. Furthermore, accurate data about the size of the Georgian-American community can be important to the Representatives, when they vote on issues that are very important to us, and to the U.S. foreign policy in regards to Georgia.

Collected data is also used to allocate the federal sum in the amount of $400 billion to improve living conditions of the residents of the country, and reconstruct and expand America’s transportation and social infrastructure, including hospitals, job training centers, public schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects and emergency services.
Please share this information with your extended family and friends, and urge them to participate in U.S. Census 2010. Thank you in advance.

The privacy of your personal information is protected under federal law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code).

This applies to Armenians as well.