IAAB's Camp Ayandeh 2009

Goodbye… until next time!

Taraneh Aminian — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:35:36 +0000

After campers wowed the audience with their outstanding performances in the much-anticipated talent show, campers, counselors and staff prepared for the last evening of laughter and good memories at Camp Ayandeh 2009. The night consisted of dancing ‘til three in the morning, enjoying each other’s company and fully soaking up our final hours together at [...]

The Last Night

Nikta Akhavan — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 04:42:13 +0000

Camp Ayandeh is coming to a close, and while we are sad and wish to cherish the last activities and time we have with each other, we eagerly anticipate the long-awaited Talent Show, where campers perform skits within their counselor groups, sending all of camp into laughter and hysterics. Counselor groups, divided up by age and [...]

Stepping it Up!

Taraneh Aminian — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:04:43 +0000

As staff members, we aspire to be role models for the campers. However, we realize that the relationship between the younger and older campers can often be closer than that between the younger campers and us. For this reason, we strive for our older campers to be role models for the younger ones. At the [...]

There’s no “I” in Team…

Nikta Akhavan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:15:05 +0000

After a long rainy Thursday, the sun finally shone down on Hinsdale, MA today, just in time for the Team Challenge, a perennial camper favorite. Team challenge is a series of activities that campers must complete together in a camp-wide race: a water balloon toss, a quiz game, a game of charades, and a basketball [...]

Pictures Galore Day 3, 4, & 5

Tara Safaie — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:05:11 +0000

Recap of days 3, 4, 5. More to come…

Getting Literate

Nikta Akhavan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:43:08 +0000

SATs. APs. Applications. Oh my!

Taraneh Aminian — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:50:04 +0000

SATs. AP classes. Extracurriculars. College Life. Majors. These are all topics greatly discussed during a high school student’s life. Today, counselors and staff spent the greater part of the day inside – due to the unexpected downpour – and participated in various college workshops. The workshops were intended to ease the stresses our high school-aged [...]

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Taraneh Aminian — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:01:17 +0000

More pictures coming soon!!

Agree. Disagree. Don’t Know.

Taraneh Aminian — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:52:59 +0000

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? “Racism is still a major problem in America today.” [...]

I Am…

Nikta Akhavan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:44:15 +0000

To become a successful leader, one must have a deep and confident understanding of who one is. Today’s theme of “identity” aimed to give campers a better understanding of their own individuality and leadership styles in order to actualize leadership. The highly anticipated “I Am…” activity had campers identifying the multiple roles and positions they [...]

Pictures Galore Day 1 & 2

Leyla Serway — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:16:30 +0000

Recap of days 1 and 2.

Tavalod, Tavalod, Tavalodet Mobarak!

Taraneh Aminian — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:41:31 +0000

The second evening of camp was filled with thrilling celebrations: Shabeh Yalda, three birthdays, and well-loved tunes sung around a crackling campfire by a moonlit lake! Nestled close to one another around the fire and trying to keep warm during this crisp New England night, the festivities began with counselors Omeed Askari and Dana [...]

Camp Ayandeh Recap Day 1 & 2

Ramin Bajoghli — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:45:48 +0000

Rhythm of the Drum

Taraneh Aminian — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:22:03 +0000

“Vay vay! Vay vay!” As we ate breakfast, these are the chants that broke out as campers and counselors anticipated today’s activities. While Camp Ayandeh has many of these fun outbursts, this morning we also began to integrate the two fundamental aspects of our camp curriculum: leadership and culture. Each day is given a theme, [...]

More Than Just a Camp

Nikta Akhavan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:38:52 +0000

Mana Kharrazi

admin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Nickname: Maanz, Man, Mani, Mananana Age: 25 Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia Last Academic Institution Attended: Emory University Academic Status: Class of 2006 About Me: I am a very silly, goofy, yet wise person. Favorite Musical Artist: Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, Damien Rice, Radiohead, Louie Armstrong Favorite Physical Activity: Soccer, Four Square Favorite Pastime/Hobby: Reading, Politics, Debates, Films/TV Favorite Quote: “Some people say [...]

Arash Majdi

admin — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:38:33 +0000

Nickname: Rashy/ Rashes Age: 23 Hometown: Atlanta, GA Last Academic Institution Attended: Georgia Tech Academic Status: MS About Me: I am weird. I am happy. I don’t want to hustle. I want to beat life. I have a realistic view about everything but 2 things (one of which I don’t care about). I want to feel unique and I want [...]

And So It Begins…

Taraneh Aminian — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:28:58 +0000

Khosh Amadid! Today is the day that all staff and counselors have been eagerly awaiting. Campers from all over the country – California, Georgia, New York, and everywhere in between – arrived as the first day of Camp Ayandeh commenced. At the airport, our staff ran from terminal to terminal, warmly greeting campers who [...]

Opening Pitch

Leyla Serway — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:32:11 +0000

As we progressed into the second day of Camp Ayandeh training in Western Massachusetts, I couldn’t help but take note of the beautiful grounds of Duquette Sports Academy. The 22-acre site nestled amongst 100 acres of land and beautiful trees makes the Sports Academy the ideal location for a week at Camp Ayandeh. Located in [...]

Mehrdad Bokhour

admin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:47:46 +0000

Age: 24 Hometown: Los Angeles, California Last Academic Institution Attended:University of California, Berkeley Academic Status: Class of 2012 for law school About Me: This text box cannot do my multi-dimensional character justice! Favorite Physical Activity: Tennis, Ping Pong, and Frisbee Favorite Quote: “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it [...]

Conversation with the Co-Founder

Nikta Akhavan — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:45:40 +0000

Training Day

Nikta Akhavan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:50:27 +0000

Camp Ayandeh 2009 is set to begin in just a few days, and 36 counselors and staff have gathered in the countryside of Massachusetts at Duquette Academy for staff training. Arash Majdi, director of this year’s camp said of the group, “Another amazing group of counselors have arrived and are training to make sure [...]

Former Campers Leading Camp Ayandeh

Taraneh Aminian — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:37:21 +0000

Ranna Jaraha

admin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:16:44 +0000

Age: 18 Hometown: Moorestown, NJ Last Academic Institution Attended: Drexel University Academic Status: Freshman in college majoring in Biology About Me: I am an outgoing, social girl who loves to be spontaneous and “enjoy the now.” I was the girl in high school that was friends with every group of people, which means I can generally get along [...]

Mazyar Kahali