HRI Camp 2025 was the highlight of my year. Even though a few months have passed, I still think about camp every day and can’t help but smile (and sometimes even laugh to myself when no one’s around to think that I'm crazy). As a member of the GCC HRI chapter, I signed up right away when I heard about the summer camp because I love working with kids. But as the camp got closer, I started to feel nervous since I didn’t know what to expect.

After the first day, though, everyone felt like family — a kind of community I haven’t experienced anywhere else. Everyone looked out for one another and was always ready to help. We shared amazing memories, inside jokes, and real friendships that I’ll cherish forever. 

The camp made me feel every emotion possible — from crying to laughing within minutes. The campers helped me see the world through their eyes and reminded me what it feels like to be a kid again. Their energy spread to everyone, filling the camp with laughter, dancing, learning, and trying new things.
​
From being a serious architecture teacher, to a 3-year-old cheering for her team, to a 20-year-old in a pig costume — I felt so much love, joy, and respect from everyone there. It was truly one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. I am forever grateful for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to go back next summer!

​

As part of the scholarship program this year, we are actively developing our students’ soft skills. The focus this time was on the creation of proficient curriculum vitae (CVs) and cover letters.

The training was conducted by Arsen Shamilyan, the founder of the Moto - Taxi Yerevan.

After the training, our students formulated their CVs, which will be used when applying for different jobs and international exchange programs.

Looking back, Hidden Road Initiative's Summer 2023 camp experience was one of the best days of my summer.

From laughing our hearts out to crying our eyes out, the five days that I spent there left a huge impact on me. From making life-long friends, and building a great bond with the kids. Having my class as a safe space for the kids allowed them to talk about everything and anything, and built a trusting bond between us, hence allowing them to open up about their sorrows.

This summer, 71 students from 13 different border villages were invited to Hankavan to participate in the camp and attend a variety of classes taught by different volunteers.

Frontline Therapists had been working with many of the students from this village since the 2022 September conflict. For this summer, I was invited to teach “Self-Care class”. This was the first time in 14 years where camp was not held in their home villages due to the constant threat of war. So it was very important that we had full time social worker / counselor in camp.

There are still traces of war in every corner and especially inside all of us. To this very day, borders are not safe, and the kids living in Armenia and Artsakh are in constant fear of any intense sounds.

I'm so thankful to the Hidden Roads initiative for allowing me to stand by these kids and sharing what I have learned with them.