Aram Manoukian Summer Camp in Shushi

Aram Manoukian Summer Camp in Shushi was founded in 2005.

The Shamlians family is unique, because every summer they come to Armenia from Canada to accomplish their good mission.

It was back in 2004 when Haytoug and Ayda Shamlians, along with their children Dessyl and Badrouyk visited Artsakh and fell in love with this wonderful land.

Conceived, planned and prepared by their family the "Aram Manoukian Summer Camp" was founded in Shoushi in 2005 and since then has been implemented by them, and the number of participating children has grown constantly.

The camp unites people of diverse age groups. Each child attends the camp for a week (including Saturdays and Sundays), then there is a shift and they host another group of children.

There are approximately 150 children in each group, the number of which is increasing every year. There is a group of about 60 teenage volunteers; all of them have become “graduates” of the Camp (on the basis of age).

All the children of the specified age wishing to attend the camp are never refused and they take part in the camp. And the participation, of course, is completely free of charge.

The aim and mission of the project is to enliven the daily routine of the children of Artsakh and make it more interesting, colorful and saturated, preserving their rightful childish, carefree and spotless joy of life.

The program is founded on the notions of culture, arts, nation and faith, and includes numerous playful and instructive events, various athletic games, a class of cultural expression, meals, science experiments in an amusing form, movies, and a special session of handicraft and artistic activities.

For several years now, this special mission of Ayda and Haytoug Shamlians has been implemented with the generous and regular support of a large number of their relatives and friends not only from Canada but around the world as well.
The first two years the camp was held in the building of the former arts school, which later was renovated and now hosts the Ministry of Culture. Since 2007, on the proposal of Naregatsi Art Institute founder Nareg Hartounian, "Aram Manoukian Summer Camp" has been taking place in the premises of the Naregatsi Art Institute Shoushi center.