2012 Greek Village Camp Experiences Continued Growth and Success

The Greek Village Camp – Elliniko Horio – presented by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, recently completed its third year offering a one-week immersion camp for children ages 7 – 14. Since its inception in 2010, the Greek Village Camp has developed into a popular program which features a creative and educational immersion program which brings children closer to their Hellenic heritage through instruction in language, customs, traditions and the Orthodox faith. This program once again continued to gain momentum with increased enrollment for the third consecutive year. The Greek Village Camp is held at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, California, a 230-acre facility includes recently renovated lodging facilities as well as hiking trails, apple orchards, historic barn and lake which provide the aura of a traditional Greek Village to further enhance a truly cultural environment.

“The experience of an immersion camp provides these youth with the opportunity to spend a week learning about their faith and culture in a creative way and thus strengthening the ties to their ancestral lineage. I am grateful to the committee which works tirelessly throughout the year to plan such an in-depth educational program, as well as to the Kallins Family Foundation for their continued support of this ministry,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.

A team of skilled professional instructors from throughout the Metropolis and Greece led classes in language, cooking, geography, mythology, music, dance, theatre and more. The children attended worship services daily and also had the opportunity to observe the monastic life at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring which is adjacent to Saint Nicholas Ranch. Arts and crafts, swimming, basketball, volleyball and canoeing were just a few of  the many extracurricular activities included in the campers’ daily schedule, plus evening campfires, storytelling, folk dancing and singing.

Plans are already beginning for the 2013 program. Please visit www.ourgreekvillage.org for more information.