All your questions about camp ayandeh and camp javan are answered below. we will add additional questions and responses based on inquiries we receive so please check back regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should campers arrive and depart?
Campers arriving by plane should plan to arrive before the bus departure time they selected on their application. Campers arriving by car should plan to arrive by 2pm EST.
How can I apply?
We are accepting applications for our 2020 session. There are a limited number of spots for both programs each year; therefore, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Who will supervise the campers?
In addition to the host location's professional staff, campers will be under the direct supervision of IAAB and camp staff. Camp staff consists of active volunteers drawn from IAAB staff and counselors who are selected through a rigorous application process.
What is the cost of camp?
The cost of Camp Ayandeh is $2,200 and the cost of Camp Javan is $1,800. Camp fees include room, board, all meals and snacks, inclusion in all activities during the week of camp, as well as transportation between the host location and the airport. All applicants (unless applying for a scholarship) are required to submit a $400 non-refundable deposit with their application, applied toward their total camp fees. Applicants who do not include this deposit at the time the application is submitted cannot be considered.
What does my tuition cover?
The host location costs comprise 80% of the camp budget. Our goal is to ensure that all interested students and families will be able to partake in this experience. As such, IAAB continuously aims to keep costs affordable for families. We will continue to offer as many scholarships as we can and we will work with individual students to make sure they can make it to IAAB's youth camps. Tuition also covers the increased price of an air-conditioned host location and an additional day for each program.
Are tuition stipends available?
IAAB offers a number of need-based and merit-based tuition stipends, which require a separate application. We offer an increasing number of scholarships each year. We will also have additional resources available for families with multiple campers, campers with higher travel expenses, returning campers, and families affected by the current climate and ban.
Will I be able to contact my child/parent during the camp?
Although campers will not be allowed to use cell phones during the day, phone use is permitted in the morning prior to breakfast and during the evening before lights out. Cell phones have a negative effect on the program and culture of camp and are banned during scheduled activities. We require all campers to keep their cell phones in the dormitory. However, parents can contact IAAB staff at any time, all of whom are required to carry their phones for non-personal use only during scheduled activities.
How are the sleeping quarters arranged?
Campers, counselors, and IAAB Staff will reside in dormitories. Javan and Ayandeh campers are placed in separate areas of the dormitories. Sleeping arrangements will be divided based upon sex and all campers will be under the direct supervision of staff of the same sex. Campers do not have access to the dormitory floors of the opposite sex. IAAB staff and counselors actively create a comfortable and familiar atmosphere for campers, particularly since many campers will be away from their families for the first time. IAAB takes every precaution available to ensure the safety of campers. Parents are welcome to visit the campus and get to know the IAAB Staff during drop-off and pick-up on the first and last day of the program.
Are meals provided?
IAAB will be responsible for all meals and snacks throughout the entire duration of both camps. Campers will receive three meals a day prepared by the culinary staff and periodic snacks. Campers with specific dietary restrictions will be accommodated. Please do not send any food with your camper unless previously approved by IAAB staff. Please do not send caffeinated or sugary foods that will further affect your child's sleep. Energy drinks will be confiscated.
Will transportation be provided?
IAAB will provide transportation between the airport and camp by bus at no additional cost for campers who specify on the application which of our bus arrival and departure blocks they prefer. Campers living locally may be dropped off by a parent or caregiver. Please do not buy your flight before being accepted into either program. IAAB will not be responsible for any fees you incur because you purchase your flight prior to being accepted.
What if I prefer to fly into a different airport?
IAAB offers transportation to and from Reagan National Airport (DCA). IAAB recommends that all families travel through Reagan National Airport, since we have a strict policy about the number of minors and supervisors, and as such, cannot yet guarantee that we will have the staff to conduct pickups and dropoffs at three separate airports. Please do not buy your flight before being accepted into either program. IAAB will not be responsible for any fees you incur because you purchase your flight prior to being accepted.
What is the camp's security policy?
IAAB's educational programs have an immaculate record with regard to camp safety. IAAB staff take extra measures to ensure that campers are safe while under the care and supervision of IAAB. Campers are under direct supervision at all times, and are never alone during camp. All campers reside in single-sex dorm rooms, which are supervised by night-duty staffers and in-residence staff on each dorm floor. Only IAAB and camp staff have access to these facilities. Additionally, security routinely patrols campus buildings and is present on campus 24-hours everyday. Campers are only allowed off-campus in an emergency situation and only when accompanied by an IAAB or Camp Staff member.
Additionally, IAAB will not publicize the location of camp. Only accepted applicants will be notified of the host location. Each year, IAAB adds security procedures to reflect the current climate; however, IAAB has never had any concern about the safety and security of its program. We add security measures because we are a cautious and intentional organization that works with youth. We strive to be a model organization.
What does "Ayandeh" mean?
Ayandeh means future in Persian and the name Camp Ayandeh speaks to the mission of the camp to create a strong and dedicated future for the Iranian diaspora: Camp Ayandeh, through a positive and inclusive environment, allows campers to develop leadership skills, foster strong friendships, and gain a deeper understanding of culture and identity as the youth of the Iranian diaspora. The Iranian-American community is diverse and vibrant, a characteristic that Camp Ayandeh represents, embraces, and celebrates. Campers leave with a stronger sense of self, lifelong friendships, and the necessary skills to lead both within and outside of the Iranian diaspora community.
What does "Javan" mean?
Javan means "youth" in Persian and the name "Camp Javan" speaks to the camp's dual mission of empowering campers with a deeper understanding of culture and identity as youth within the Iranian diaspora, and the confidence and skills to be leaders within their communities. The Iranian diaspora community is diverse and vibrant, a characteristic that Camp Javan represents, embraces, and celebrates.
How will the curriculum be different from previous years?
IAAB's goal to ensure that campers return each year to learn new skills and gain fresh experiences. We aim to reflect, build and grow after every year and develop a unique curriculum that responds to current issues within our community as they arise. Camper responses in the application as well as prior survey responses from both campers and parents help guide the curriculum as well.
What is different about IAAB's 2020 camps?
Campers will have an opportunity to delve deeper in the curriculum, creating group projects, as well as enjoying the overall community they help build throughout the program.
Are IAAB's camps open to campers and counselors from outside the United States?
Yes, both programs are open to everyone. IAAB is invested in bringing together a diverse group of participants and encourages all interested applicants from around the world to apply. Although the program is conducted in English, campers, IAAB and camp staff will support campers whose primary language is not English.
What if I submit my application but don't include a deposit? What if I'm applying for a tuition stipend?
Applicants who do not include a $400 non-refundable deposit at the time the application is submitted will not be considered. However, if you are applying for a tuition stipend, please do not include a deposit upon submitting both your camper and tuition stipend applications. Your tuition stipend application will be considered on a rolling basis so you should hear back within 2-3 weeks regarding your stipend application. If the deposit presents a barrier, and you are not applying for a scholarship, please email us. We will do everything in our power to ensure that the financial costs are not a barrier for any youth to participate.
What should my child wear during camp?
We will send a comprehensive packing list for accepted campers, which parents and campers can expect to receive via email after being accepted. Campers should be prepared to wear sunscreen and dress comfortably for warm temperatures.
Do counselors receive training?
Our counselors are trained as part of a comprehensive virtual and in-person training. Counselors are carefully vetted and the competitive application process for counselors ensures that campers are in great hands with our counselors and staff. Many counselors and staff are drawn from our camp alumni.
How many counselors are there?
We anticipate accepting approximately 30 counselors, as well as additional specialized staff.
How are counselor groups organized?
Campers and counselors are all paired together into tight-knit groups based on their age, interests, and strengths. Each member of a group is carefully chosen so that camp can continue to be a safe, exciting experience where campers can continue to grow each year.
What happens at camp?
So much! You can view videos from past years on our YouTube channel for a quick overview of each day of camp. You can also read about our camp on CNN International, The Washington Post, and other outlets by visiting our forthcoming media center.
How are IAAB's camps different from other camps?
IAAB's programs are the most intentional, comprehensive, inclusive youth spaces your child has likely ever experienced. Our curriculum is unique and was developed with the support of dozens of experts from a wide range of fields, and with the direct contributions of IAAB and camp alumni. Our camps have been written about in various media outlets, academic works, and even college essays! You can learn more about the need for IAAB and its youth spaces, as well as the success of our programs, by reading Dr. Neda Maghbouleh's work, 'The Limits of Whiteness: Iranian Americans and the Everyday Politics of Race,' published by Stanford Press. Professor Maghbouleh interviewed IAAB's leadership and camp alumni as part of her research, and her work has an entire chapter dedicated to Camp Ayandeh. IAAB's camps meet the needs of young Iranian-American adolescents with a range of experiences and backgrounds. We understand firsthand the experiences of our youth and build our program to ensure their wellbeing and success.
How many campers are accepted?
IAAB will accept a limited number of applicants for both programs in 2020. We anticipate closing our application cycle early and creating a waiting list. Our camps will be held outside the United States for the first time this summer!
My child will need to take prescription medication. Who should I talk to and who is responsible for giving my child medicine?
Once your child is accepted, you will receive additional forms including health history and medical forms. You must include any and all medications in the medical forms. Once we receive all forms, we create a separate health plan that includes all participant health needs. At that time, we will contact you to confirm your child's needs and to clarify how to dispense any medications. IAAB's full-time staff will then discuss your child's medical prescription and other needs as noted on the camper application with your child's counselor prior to camp as part of counselor training. Your child's counselor will ensure that your child's medication needs are met while at camp. During camp, you can contact our camp staff with any concerns or questions. We understand your concerns and have extensive experience in helping our campers will all sorts of medical needs, including allergies, medications, and specialized sleeping arrangements. However, given our limited capacity and the intensity of the program, we suggest that you contact us prior to submitting an application if your child has any special needs that would be exacerbated by participating in a physically taxing program in a new environment. We want our program to be accessible to everyone, but we will not compromise any child's physical or emotional needs.
Is my child allowed to ask for over-the-counter medicine for headaches, stomach aches and other pains?
If absolutely necessary, campers can have access to certain over-the-counter medicine. Counselors will always refer to the camper's health forms to reference specific medical needs, dietary restrictions, and other special information. Counselors will also notify parents/guardians before giving the any camper medication not listed on the camper's health forms. Please let us know if you would prefer otherwise for your child in their health forms (which are sent to you after your child is accepted).
My child has food allergies. Who should be notified?
Please include that information in the health forms that will be sent to you after your child is accepted into our program.
We live in the area. Can I drop off and pick up my child? Can I get a discount since we're not taking the bus?
Yes, you can. Unfortunately, we cannot offer a discount to local residents.
Can my child be roommates with their friend, cousin, sibling, family friend, neighbor, classmate?
The short answer: no. It is not in your child's best interest, or that of the overall community, to place your child with a friend or relative. Part of what makes our programs such a life-changing opportunity for youth is the long lasting connections they build with other campers! We strive to place campers with roommates and counselor group members who they have yet to build strong friendships with so that all campers have the opportunity to make new friends. Placing your child with a friend or relative limits their growth and makes our job harder in creating an inclusive community.
I'm used to talking to my child every day. How often can I speak with them while they are at camp?
Campers cannot use their cell phones during the day but are permitted access to their mobile devices every morning and evening before and after the day's schedule of events. In case of an emergency or time-sensitive matter, you may contact IAAB staff at any time to reach your child.
This is the first time my child is attending an overnight camp. How will you handle homesickness or anxiety?
Our counselors and camp staff are trained to make campers feel comfortable and are prepared to handle any homesickness or anxiety. We have experience and have created various procedures to support your child (and you) during the camp.
How much money should my child bring with them?
Your child won't need any money while at camp as all food and beverage is accounted for in the tuition. However, some campers choose to buy paraphernalia from the host location, airport, and IAAB. You may also wish to send some pocket money in case they'd like to buy snacks during their travels, particularly if they have connecting flights.
Who are the emergency contacts during Camp?
There will be designated IAAB and camp staff during the program. Camp staff will email before camp and will provide packing lists, emergency contacts and any details you may need.
My child can no longer attend camp. Will their tuition be refunded?
Unfortunately, all tuition is non-refundable due to the costs of planning and our ongoing efforts to personalize and tailor the camp experience to the needs of each individual attending. We have a set amount we must pay to the host location once we have accepted our participants, and if your child drops, IAAB still incurs the fees from the host location. We will not make any exceptions to our refund policy and view your final payment as a commitment to attending the program. Last minute cancellations are disruptive to the community since we customize and match roommates, mentor/mentees, counselor groups, and theme halls. However, if your child is sick, we ask that you do not send your child to camp. It disrupts the program and causes other participants to also become sick. In such an instance, we will provide you a credit for a future camp, but only with a valid doctor's note.
Will there be a first aid kit?
There will be a designated staff member with first aid and CPR training. All camp staff will have a full first aid kit for the entirety of both programs as well. Counselors will also have access to bug sprays and sunscreen for campers. All campers will also receive an IAAB water bottle and will be regularly reminded to drink water.
Are counselor groups separated by sex?
While dormitories are separated by sex, counselor groups are not.
What is the ratio of campers to counselors?
The overall ratio of our programs is 1:4 with the ratio of Javan being smaller given their age and developmental needs.
What is IAAB? Who funds it? Who leads it?
IAAB is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that was formed in 2003 by first and second-generation Iranian-American collegiate women. IAAB's Executive Director, and her predecessors, were all raised in the United States and share similar experiences to youth today. IAAB's leadership created Camp Ayandeh as the ideal youth program in response to their own needs and desires as young Iranian Americans. Over time, the camp curriculum evolved to meet the changing the needs of youth.
You can read more about IAAB's staff, history, and frequently asked questions.
Who funds IAAB?
IAAB receives no government or political funding. IAAB has never received any donations from other Iranian or Iranian-American advocacy organizations, including PAAIA and NIAC. IAAB has received grants from community-based and family foundations including The HAND Foundation, Neda Nobari Foundation, and PARSA Community Foundation. IAAB's camps have provided scholarships through the generosity of community centers and family foundations including Connecticut's Foundation of Iranians of Connecticut and Virginia's Iranian American Community Center.
Private individual and family donors have also offered scholarships to campers. Contact us if you're interested in helping a deserving young Iranian-American attend IAAB's camps!
What is IAAB's youth philosophy?
Camp Ayandeh and Javan are shaped by IAAB's philosophy.
Does IAAB promote any political or religious belief?
We are a non-religious, non-political organization. Our camp community is diverse with nearly every facet of the Iranian-American community reflected in our community. Our camp does include curriculum and activities meant to create an inclusive community that is positive and civically engaged. As such, our curriculum addresses the concerns and barriers that negatively affect Iranian-American youth. Our youth are multi- cultural, racial, ethnic, socio-economically and religiously diverse. Hence, we discuss race, gender, sexuality, migration, history, and generational experiences in a healthy and age-appropriate manner. Our Javan curriculum is particularly sensitive to the ages and experiences of our Javan campers, with a stronger focus on experiential learning. Our Ayandeh curriculum involves Socratic-style and peer-based discussion techniques with a pre-collegiate focus, particularly given the strong emphasis on such approaches in high school and college.
I emailed IAAB and haven't heard back. When will I receive a response?
We will respond to all new inquiries within 2-3 business days. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, we can only respond to inquiries not already addressed in our FAQ. We ask families to be patient with us. IAAB currently has only one paid staff member and a small group of volunteers currently involved in planning a spring conference at NYU law school, a spring retreat for young professional leaders, and our summer programs. IAAB also leads and participates in various community events and initiatives and events across the country. Additionally, IAAB is involved in a legal challenge against the Muslim Ban. All of that to explain that IAAB does the most with the smallest staff. Despite our best efforts, we often have to sift through a high volume of emails from families who haven't read our website, FAQ, and emails. We'll do our best to read your inquiry and respond in a timely manner.
If you're new, please be patient with us. We promise you won't regret sending your child (and will love us when you meet us in person, especially after your child comes home raving about camp). Once your child is accepted into our program, you'll be part of our family. We hope you'll consider us a part of yours too.
My question isn't answered above. Who do I contact?
Thanks for reading the entire FAQ. Unfortunately we receive a high volume of emails from parents with questions that have been answered in our FAQ (and often in our email they're replying to). Most questions are answered either by our FAQ or by the additional forms we send once we've accepted your child. If you don't see the answer to your question in this FAQ or in the additional forms after being accepted, please email us. We will respond to all new inquiries not addressed in this FAQ - and we'll even add new questions and answers to this FAQ so please check back regularly. You may contact us at: campayandeh@iranianalliances.org or campjavan@iranianalliances.org.
Thanks for reading our entire FAQ! We hope you enjoy listening to the musical clip below performed by one of our campers!
Due to the high volume of emails we receive, we will only respond to inquiries not answered in the FAQ. Any new questions and responses will be added to the FAQ so please check back regularly.