10th Pan-Armenian camp with around 900 scouts to be held in Armenia

Following the conclusion of the pan-Armenian Navasardian Games in Los Angeles, the Armenian General Union for Physical Education and Scouts (HMEM) is preparing for another major event. The 10th nationwide camp will take place in the Armenian village of Byurakan.

Alpha News spoke about the details, historical origins, and significance of the event with Karine Gndoyan, head of the HMEM delegation in Western America, and Karen Martirosyan, head of the “Shant” branch in La Crescenta.

According to Gndoyan, scout groups from the US, Canada, Lebanon, Jerusalem, France, London, Sweden, Syria, Australia, and Armenia will take part in the camp.

“HMEM organizes a nationwide camp once every four years. The first gathering took place in 1978 in Greece, and in recent years it has always been held in Armenia. This year it will run from July 24 to August 2, with around 900 scouts expected to participate,” she noted.

According to Martirosyan, in the first days of the gathering, participants prepare their equipment, then take part in various games and educational programs.

“HMEM is a big family. Scouting and athletics are the best way to make lifelong friends and gain new knowledge about Armenia and the homeland. Scouting teaches us patriotism, the preservation of the Armenian language, and national self-awareness,” Alpha News’s interlocutor noted.