The 2011 editions of Camp Ayandeh will be held at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California. This year’s camps, which are open to high school students, will be held June 16 through June 23 and June 29 through July 6.
Camp Ayandeh first began in 2006 and has grown every subsequent year. This year, to accommodate the increase in applications, IAAB is hosting two separate sessions for the first time.
Camp Ayandeh endeavors to provide Iranian-American high school students with an environment for developing leadership skills, foster strong friendships, and gain a deeper understanding of their Iranian culture and identity as the youth of the Iranian diaspora community.
The camp is non-political and non-religious. Though all activities are conducted in English and no prior knowledge of the Persian language is required, the camp’s cultural activities include lessons on and exposure to Iranian language, music, poetry, films, and history. Through the guidance of Iranian-American camp counselors, campers are encouraged to reflect on what it means to be a hyphenated Iranian-American with peers who serve as role models and identify with the realities of Iranian-American teenage life.
Iranian Alliances Across Borders (IAAB) is a 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit volunteer organization with a staff spread across the United States, Europe and Iran. The mission is to address issues of the Iranian diaspora community while raising awareness of the Iranian community, promoting leadership, and connecting Iranians across borders.
Campers are encouraged to apply early since application fees will increase after April 4. Applications are available at: http://iranianalliances.org/camp.