Western Diocese

According to the well-established traditions of the Western Diocese, a number of youth activities are held at the end of the academic year, organized by the following Diocesan organizations:

A.    ACYO (Armenian Church Youth Organization), www.acyo-wd.org,

B.     CYMA (Christian Youth Mission to Armenia), www.cyma-wd.org,

C.     Summer Camp, www.hyecamp.com.

The activities for the year 2009 include:

Sports Weekend in Fresno, May 22-24, 2009: The Annual ACYO Sports Weekend Tournament of the Western Diocese, organized by ACYO and WAAA (Western Armenian Athletic Association), was held in Fresno. Over 200 Armenian youth participated in sporting events ranging from tennis to basketball during the weekend of May 22-24 (Memorial weekend). More details will follow in the upcoming days.

In 2009, a four-week pilgrimage to Armenia, organized by CYMA, from June 30^th to July 31^st, will offer an exceptional opportunity to a group of youth from the Diocese to become familiarized with Armenia. During the first two weeks, the young pilgrims will visit various sites in the country and during the second half of the pilgrimage will volunteer for a housing unit rebuilding project, for a needy family in Armenia. Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian, Youth Director, will head the 2009 CYMA-pilgrimage to Armenia.

The summer camp program of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America provides a healthy and stimulating environment for the physical and spiritual development of the Diocesan youth in a pristine natural setting. The 2009-Sumer Camp program, consisting of four-weekly periods, with the participation of youth from throughout the Diocese, will be held between July 19^th and August 15^th.