AYF Camp To Receive $2M Funding From State of California
AYF Camp, the largest Armenian youth summer camp in Southern California and a popular rental destination for schools and various community organizations, is set to receive major funding from the State of California.
GLENDALE, CA— AYF Camp, Southern California’s premiere summer camp destination for thousands of Armenian-American community members and a popular rental space, is receiving a major increase in funding thanks to Assemblymember Chris Holden (District 41). The new funding, amounting to $2 million, will be dedicated to revamping the AYF Camp Big Pines campground and the recently acquired AYF Camp Twin Valleys campground, both located near Wrightwood, California.
"I have long stood beside the Armenian community here in our district and abroad, and it is my honor to be able to assist the youth in this community,” Assemblymember Chris Holden said. “The success of our future depends on our young people having the resources, support, and representation that they need to be the best that they can be, and these camps serve as a space for mentorship and camaraderie. It will be a pleasure to see this funding aid in important renovations and reinforce the value that these camps bring to our district."
Over the past decade, AYF Camp Big Pines has seen extensive growth in its campground infrastructure, demand for its summer camp, and popularity of its use as a rental space for various organizations in the Southern California community. This prompted the AYF Camp Management Board to acquire the Twin Valleys campground in 2020, adding the 17-acre property to its portfolio. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and limited funding, renovations of the property have been on hold — until now.
“We are incredibly thankful to the State of California, as well as our close partnership with Assemblymember Holden for his monumental efforts to secure this level of funding for our camp,” said Serop Chalian, Chairperson of the AYF Camp Management Board. “Not only will this allow us to make renovations to both of our camps, but it also demonstrates the value that our camps bring to the Armenian Community and to the community at large.”
The partnership with Assemblymember Holden would not have been possible without the support of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“On behalf of the ANCA I would like to express our profound gratitude for Assemblymember Holden’s work in securing this vital financial support for AYF Camp,” ANCA National Board member Aida Dimejian said. “AYF Camp has served as a cultural and educational bedrock for the Armenian-American community of Southern California for generations, and continues to play an integral role cultivating the next generation of our community’s leaders. With this support, AYF Camp will be able to not only continue this invaluable work – but expand its programs to uplift and empower our community’s youth.”
The $2 million funding will be dedicated to a variety of projects for each campus, including building a new lodge, adding new well systems, and renovating facilities at Twin Valleys. Efforts and preparations for these renovations were already underway. Now, with the funding secured, the AYF Camp Management Board will turn to the execution phase of these projects.
“This is a huge moment for our entire AYF Camp family," Chalian said. “We know our strength lies in our youth and our unity. Together, our volunteers and supporters have worked hard to build a positive and fun environment for our youth to enjoy. With the recent events taking place in Armenia and the blockade in Artsakh, it’s important to have spaces where our youth can cultivate culture, share ideas, and become leaders.”
Established in 1977, AYF Camp has become the premier summer camp for young Armenians. Serving over 1,000 kids each summer, AYF Camp operates its 8-week program during the summer and rents out its facilities to various groups and community organizations throughout the year. AYF Camp of California is a 501(c)(3) organization.
AYF Camp Management Board members with Assemblymember Chris Holden at AYF Camp.