Homenetmen Jerusalem Organizes its 37^th Annual Camping

      On the 17^th of July, 2005 Homenetmen Jerusalem held its 37^th annual camping in the forest of Latroun with the participation of 65 Armenian scouts from Homenetmen branches of Jerusalem, Haifa and Jaffa.The camping which lasted one week was dedicated to the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of the Homenetmen Club in Jerusalem in 1935.
     The scouts were divided into two main groups:  The elder group and the youngster group. The elder group with the dark blue shirts was called after the prominent Armenian figure and Hai Tad activist Apraham Surtukian who passed away in Jerusalem in 1984 as a result of a sudden heart attack. The second group of youngsters was called after the prominent H.M.E.M figure of Jerusalem Garo Mardirosian. The two groups themselves were divided into 4 sub groups and were named after the prominent H.M.E.M figures and founders of H.M.E.M in Jerusalem. Thus, Apo Surtukian group was divided into 4 sub groups: Krikor Chakerian, Mesrob Yergatian, Kevork Sevan and Yetvart Kayayan. Garo Mardirosian group was also divided into 4 sub-groups in the following way: Harout Behesnelian, Kasbar Tavitian, Takvor Ohanessian and Mihran Krikorian.

     The organizing committee of the camp consisted of Yeghp. Raffi Yezegelian (head of the scouts), Kuir Azniv Hindoyan, Yeghp. Harout Baghamian, Yeghp. Rupen Nalbandian and Yeghp. Vagig Avedisian. The main objective of the organizing committee this year was to discipline the Armenian scouts and provide them with various kinds of lectures, physical exercises and direction games. The scouts listened to various kinds of important lectures in the following way: Yeghp. Rupen Nalbandian gave a lecture on First Aid and provided instructions as how to deal with cases of injury, burning, suffocation and dehydration. The second lecture which was given by Yeghp. Bedross Der Matossian dealt with the formation of the Armenian communities of Palestine/Israel in the 20^th century and their economic, cultural, intellectual and sport contribution. The third lecture was delivered by Rev. Father Emanuel and dealt with the principles of Christianity, the history of the Armenian Church and the nature of Lord Jesus Christ. Father Emanuel’s lecture was followed by an intriguing question and answer period. The last lecture was delivered by Yeghp. Hagop Sevan a member of the present of Hai Tad committee who spoke about the history of the Armenian Question and its implications on Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora today. In addition to these lectures the scouts also attended an engaging show by a reptile expert who explained the physical nature of regional reptiles in particular concentrating on snakes.

     It is worthy to mention that during the camping period the above mentioned groups fulfilled a couple of essential tasks such as insuring the cleanness of the camp, preparing the food, gathering wood for the fire and guarding the camp during the late hours of the night.

     The closing ceremony of the camping was presided by  Rev. Father Norayr Kazazian.  More than 200 people from Jerusalem, Haifa, Jaffa and representatives of the different scout groups attended the closing ceremony. The host of the closing ceremony was Kuir. Christine Najarian. Kuir Nataly Ghugassian from Jaffa  made the opening speech and welcomed the participants and the attendees to the closing ceremony of the 37^th annual camping of Homenetmen. In the name of the Scout Committee Yeghp. Harout Baghamian introduced the activities and the projects that were implemented in the camping. Furthermore he emphasized on the progress that was made this year in particular concentrating on the disciplinary aspect of the camping.  The closing ceremony included a couple of songs and poetry performed by the scouts during which the attendees witnessed the rising talents of the young generation.

     The keynote speaker of the day was Yeghp. Serop Sahagian the Chairman of Jerusalem Homenetmen Club. In the beginning of his speech Yeghp. Sahagian wished the rapid recovery of His Beatitude Patriarch Torkom Manoogian who was absent this year. It worthy to mention that the attendance of His Beatitude in the annual H.M.E.M camping in the last 10 years turned to be a tradition and a great encouragement for the young Homenetmen Scouts. In his speech Yeghp. Sahagian demanded the cooperation of the  attendees in order to tackle the hardships of the organizational task, in particular the project of the camping which demands a great deal of sacrifice and voluntarily spirit by the members of the Homenetmen. In his closing remarks Yeghp. Sahagian thanked the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia Mr. Tsolag Momjian for attending the ceremony and finally  thanked the Camping Committee, the Armenian Relief Society and the various individuals without whom this camping would not have been possible.  In addition, 2 Kailigs and 4 Arenush joined the ranks of the H.M.E.M Scouts during the closing ceremony.