By Paul Gikas, Director  Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco 

“From Earth to Sky” was the theme for the 2013 Greek Village Immersion Camp – To Elliniko Horio – offered by the Metropolis of San Francisco. Over 50 youth ages 7 – 14 gathered at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center for this Greek language and cultural immersion program which offered unique and creative instruction led by skilled educators who shared their professional talents in this creative learning environment.

His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos with the campers and staff of the 2013 Greek Village Immersion Camp at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center.

A typical day in the Horio started at 8:00 a.m. with campers and staff gathering for the morning Orthros service under the shade of the trees. Following a hearty breakfast, classes and activities started including classes in Greek language and culture, music and dancing, arts and crafts, and cooking. Taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings of Saint Nicholas Ranch, campers also enjoyed archery, canoeing, volleyball, basketball, swimming and other activities. This year “Ta Mila” was a favorite game! Before dinner each evening, campers once again joined in prayer at the Evening Vespers service. Each evening offered a different activity including campfires, camp cheers, mythology stories and more. On the last night, the entire camp celebrated the conclusion of the Elliniko Horio with a poolside Glendi, complete with Greek dancing and food that the campers had prepared during their cooking lessons.

His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos visited the Greek Village Camp during the week, enjoying time with the campers in their various activities and joining with them at the campfire singing folk songs they had learned in their classes. Metropolitan Gerasimos also led the group in prayer and spoke to the campers about the importance of maintaining the traditions of their Hellenic heritage, learning to speak the Greek language, and respecting the many cultural and educational contributions of our ancestors. Metropolitan Gerasimos was accompanied by Mr. Theofanis Economidis, Vice-President of the Metropolis Council and managing director of Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center.

Campers also attended the Divine Liturgy at the adjacent Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring and spent time at the farm of the monastery where they learned about gardening and growing fresh vegetables. They also received instruction on caring for the goats and chickens, and even collected freshly laid eggs from the hen house. 

The Greek Village Immersion Camp was organized this year by a joint effort between the Hellenic Education and Culture Committee of the Metropolis of San Francisco, chaired by Theodora Kounalakis and the Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, under the leadership of Director Paul Gikas.  Other members of the Greek Village Committee included: Georgia Covell, Katerina Ikonomou, Bettina Kallins, Bettina Kallins Ioanna Lekkakou, Barbara Matty, Dr. David Matty and Kleon Skourtis. Eleni Kalioras from the Metropolis of Boston served as the Program Director.