THE ENDURING IMPACT OF THE DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM

The Eastern Prelacy’s St. Gregory of Datev Institute concluded its 39th annual weeklong Summer Christian Educational Program for youth ages 13-18 on July 13. Its impact endures in the lives of the 58 participants, who attended the program at the Shiloh Bible Camp and Retreat Center in Hewitt, New Jersey, from July 6 to 13.   

Click here to view photos of the 2025 St. Gregory of Datev Summer Program

Below are heartfelt impressions from some of this year’s participants.  

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Level 1 

“It was awesome—I had a great time! I made new friends, and I had a lot of fun!”  

– Leonard Mouradian 

It was a great experience; I socialized and made new friends. I hope to return next year with even more friends.  

–  Ararad Chirishian 

I really enjoyed Datev this year, even though it was at a new location (but it had a pool). My favorite part was the food.  

– Hovig Baljian 

As a newcomer to Datev, I think this Institute was an amazing experience, and I plan to return for all four years. I made many lifelong friends. I love learning about God and growing in my faith. I believe we should have 1.5 hours of phone time because, as someone with a large family, I don’t have enough time to talk to everyone. I’m looking forward to next year.  

– Amy Karageozian 

I have really enjoyed Datev this year. I have seen old friends, made some new friends, and I had a total blast.  

– Kevork Donabedian 

I think that this camp was really good. I loved my cabin and the food … but there can be some improvements. For one, our free time should be used towards things we want to do, not mandatory activities that half of us don’t want to do. Lastly, there should be more time for us during the week to shower. I understand that we have time before and after dinner, but it’s not convenient. It needs to include morning and nighttime. 

– Peter Zaytounian 

Datev Institute was educational and fun. I learned a lot in my first year. The only thing that was bad was that our cabin door didn’t close behind us, like the other forts.  

– Raffi Rejebian  

This was my first year at Datev Institute. I had an amazing time! Everyone is so nice, especially the new friends I have made, with whom I’ve created many new memories. I learned a lot about Christianity, which is one of the reasons the Datev Institute was established. Until next time, love to all! 

 – Natalie Cholmekian 

As a first-year student at Datev Institute, I think it’s a wonderful experience. I will for sure come all four years. I learned a great deal about the Armenian Apostolic Church. I also made amazing connections.  

– Tsoler Arslanian 

This year, I had the opportunity to come to Datev, and I am very grateful. I met so many new people who later became friends. I learned more about what it means to be an Armenian Christian. I would definitely come back next year and recommend that others do the same. I had so much fun. 

–Niayra Najjarian 

I had a great time here. I loved playing basketball and learning about our church and different churches. 

–Sebouh Sarkissian 

At the Datev Institute, I made many new friends. Datev was an opportunity for me to get closer to God and meet new people. I loved every part of it. I would love to return next year. 

– Palig Sulahian 

I really enjoyed my time at Datev. I learned so many new things about my church and culture. I also enjoyed meeting new people and getting to see all my old friends. I will never forget my time here at Datev. 

– Sareen Khatchadourian 

I really enjoyed my time at Datev. I learned a lot of new things about my faith and church. The educational sessions were very interesting, getting to see other perspectives. I was very happy that I got to make new friends and see my old friends. I liked the activities & sports with my friends. 

– Leila Khatchadourian 

I had a great time at Datev this year. It was really fun meeting new people and making new friends. I can’t wait to come back next year. 

 – Patil Janian 

Datev has been a pleasant experience, further strengthening my bond with the Armenian Church. This was a great balance of learning and fun. I met a lot of Armenians from all around the Prelacy.  

– Zaven Bell  

My camp experience was fun. I learned a lot and found out about Armenian history. 

– Vartan Gostigian 

Dear Datevatsis and staff members, thank you for taking care of us. I’m really happy and had an amazing time here, and I will be coming back next year. 

– Peniamin Berberian  

Datev was a really positive experience. It started off very overwhelming, but after the first day or so, I made some of my new lifelong best friends. I recommend that all kids come here because it doesn’t just help you form new friendships, but also forms a foundation for your faith and Christianity. 

– Vani Ashodian  

Level 2 

This year at Datev was definitely different. We had to adapt, but it gave us a new perspective. Camp Shiloh gave us a much more “camp” feeling to Datev. 

– Gabriel Bulbulian 

This year at Datev was really fun. The planned activities were very fun, the food was super good, and the camp had nice scenery. I had a very good time this year, and hope to come back next year. 

– Luke Husla 

This is my second year at Datev, and I liked it even more than last year. The new camp was much nicer, and we had so much fun after the classes were over. I already told my mom we will go back next year. 

– Rafael Yessaian 

Datev was a very unique experience for me because I am 17 and it is my first year. I didn’t expect to be singing sharagans every morning and night, or sitting in classes for three hours every morning, but it was an amazing experience due to the fact that I made so many new, lifelong connections. I wish that everyone in the community goes to Datev. 

– Garo Tarbinian 

My first year experience was very enjoyable, and I learned so many new pieces of information and new viewpoints on my religion. I made many new friends, encouraging me to come next year. 

– Liana Seraderian 

I think we need more time to get to know each other, because during the activities, I had no one I knew on my team, which made it hard for me to enjoy and participate in the activity. Also, waking up at 7:00 every morning was a crime. I think that the reason we were so tired was that we were woken up so early. 

– Patil Mardiros 

This summer I attended the Datev Institute, and it was so much fun! I learned a lot about my Christian faith, and the counselors made it really fun to learn. I got to go ziplining, swim in the pool, and play basketball with my friends. We also spent a lot of time in the game room, which was lots of fun. My favorite part was getting to perform on stage—it was really fun and funny, and everyone cheered. I made new friends and had the best time. I really can’t wait to go back next year! 

– Alexander Shamlian 

I enjoyed learning about Soorp Badarak, the blessing of grapes, water, and antasdan. I also enjoyed playing sports like volleyball and basketball. I love the Datev Institute so much that I want to return next year. 

– Tatev Manukyan 

I enjoyed learning more about Armenian culture and the Armenian church this week. I gained a better understanding of my faith, spent time with new people, and made many new friends. 

– Sophie Karapetyan 

The Datev Institute is a place where I learned more about my religion, made new friends, and had a lot of fun overall. Overall, my experience at Datev was great.  

– Arega Karapetyan 

I had a great time this year at Datev. I love the new location. I really can’t wait for next year! The best part of this week was the campfire. We all gathered around the fire and sang songs. It was so much fun! This week, I feel like I really got closer to God. I am so excited to come back next year and reconnect with all the Datevatsis!  

– Melineh Takvorian 

Datev was a great break for me. I could focus more on God and my spiritual relationship and reconnect with my long-distance and close-by friends. The new location was enjoyable. I’m also glad more people came to Datev this year. I am without a doubt coming next year!  

– Nishan Baljian 

My second year attending Datev Institute was an amazing experience. This week, I learned more about my faith, reconnected with old friends, made new friends, and had a lot of fun. I gained a deeper understanding of various topics, from the Soorp Badarak to Armenian Church Pieties. This being my second year, I realized that Datev isn’t just a camp — it’s a place where faith, friendship, and fun come together in the best way possible.  

– Levon Chapanian 

I had a great time at Datev. I learned a lot and also made friends. I would really like to come back next year, and Datev made my summer more fun and gave me experiences I will never forget. 

— Christapor Janian 

Level 3 

I think that Datev was good. The place is nice, and I enjoyed being at Datev this year. 

– Naira Kechishian 

I am glad I returned to Datev this year.  The classes were interesting, and I got to ask a lot of questions to help me better understand my faith. The teachers were all wonderful, and I appreciated their help, guidance, and advice. I hope we can return to the new Camp next year; it was a lot of fun.  

– Hrair Yessaian 

This year, Datev was enlightening because it showed me that even with a change in location, Datev can still feel like home. The community and people make Datev what it is and truly special. We had many new students this year, from all over, and it was very nice to meet new people. Classes this year were captivating, and I learned a lot that I couldn’t have anywhere else.”  

– Avedis Bell 

It was very fun this year, and I liked the abundance of activities. However, I feel that the rooming situation could be improved with more accessible bathrooms and showers. 

– David Oganessian 

Level 4  

“Datev is always an experience I look forward to every summer. We learn things like the Armenian Church, the history of Armenia, and the Bible. Datev is a program that is unique.”  

– William Chapanian 

“As a 4th-year Datevatsi, I greatly enjoyed my time at Datev, making friends and learning about religion.”  

– Michael Bulbulian 

Datev is a great Institute, full of educational classes and many opportunities to make lifelong friends and create memories. Now that I am graduating as a 4th-year student, I have learned a lot about the Bible and the Apostolic Church. I am happy that I grew up at Datev and highly recommend this program to others. 

– Tiffany Arvestian 

As always, the Datev Institute experience this final year was both enlightening and incredibly enjoyable. This year in particular, I was exposed to many rich lessons from the Bible. I quickly became accustomed to the change in scenery at Camp Shiloh, greatly enjoying the basketball court and beautiful surroundings. I would love to see a more in-depth Bible study that teaches us how to analyze the Bible more thoroughly. I always wish to learn as much as I can about Christianity, something this camp helps me achieve. I love this camp and, above all, the staff, and I hope to see it continue to prosper and grow!  

– Michael Ambartsumyan 

Datev was an amazing experience, and I learned so many interesting facts about the Armenian Church. Even though I’m graduating, I plan to come next year. I urge others to do the same, as the experience is priceless. So, if you are free next summer, make sure to give the Datev Institute a try!”  

– Ararat Yakoubian  

Datev 2025 was a very memorable experience for me. I felt a genuine spiritual connection with God. This was also a great opportunity to spend time with my friends and meet new people. Thank you, Datev, for another remarkable year. 

– Robert Kanaby Jr. 

Datev is very fun. I love being in class with my friends and learning more about my faith. There were a lot of fun activities to do during this program. I would highly recommend it to new people. 

– Meghri Kassardjian 

This year’s Datev was a very memorable experience, as it was held at a new place and was my last and final year. Throughout my four years at Datev, it has been a wonderful experience marked by prayer, learning, and lastly, activities. I would like to express my gratitude to all the clergy, instructors, and staff, because without them, this wouldn’t be possible.”  

– Michael Bederjikian 

Post-graduate 

“I look forward to Datev every summer. This year was filled with adventure, such as ziplining, fun activities like the Datev Olympics, and interesting & informative classes, like the Armenian Church in America. I enjoyed the Bible studies, group Jeopardy, and the meals.” 

 – Sarineh Cunningham 

This is my fifth year at Datev, and I always look forward to it all year. I love the balance of fun, friends, and prayer. This year was a little different because we changed the location, but I quickly realized that it is not the place that makes Datev, but the people inside it. Overall, I highly recommend others attend Datev, as it develops all your good qualities and brings you closer to God. 

– Taniel Arakelian 

This year, Datev was enjoyable and a fun change of pace. There were many facilities and a wide variety of activities. The classes were interesting as always. 

– Greg Varjabedian