This past week, Repower Greece traveled to the Ionian coast for RepowerGreece Day at Ionian Village. Ionian Village is a summer camp that provides a life-changing experience for Greek American youth, bringing them closer to the Orthodox faith and their rich Hellenic culture and history. The program is full of creative activities and interaction that allow the campers to engage with their faith, their culture and each other.
This summer 200 amazing students and 50 excited staff members participated in RepowerGreece Day at Ionian Village, where the Repower Greece initiative was infused into all of the day’s activities. Each cabin started the day by picking an aspect of Greece that they wanted to spotlight: words like family, innovation, food, and culture were shouted out. Students then made Repower Greece t-shirts, using paint and stencils to creatively define Greece visually on a shirt. Images of white churches and sunsets, Greek flags and the word ‘agape’ blew under the beautiful summer sun as the shirts dried. Next students again engaged with how they define Greece with full-size Pinterest boards. Using their own creative photographs taken in Greece, students decorated windows with pictures and captions that encapsulated the beauty of Greece. Finally, the team of RepowerGreece engaged the students in a discussion about stereotypes in Greece, the current situation and the ideas, talents and achievements that are the heart of RepowerGreece. Students learned how they could become ambassadors of Greece and were empowered to share Greece with their friends and community.
Ionian Village itself is an inspiring Repower story; for over 40 years it has allowed thousands of participants to grow an enduring love and appreciation for Greece- her religion, her culture, and her people. The program has allowed these excited and motivated Greek Americans to critically examine their experiences in Greece, cultivate a renewed appreciation for their heritage and become ambassadors for an important change in the mindset of Greeks that has resulted in focusing on collaboration, excellence, and innovation. RepowerGreece Day at Ionian Village was an inspiration in the true spirit of the initiative: collaboration, creation, and dedication to the beauty of our country and redefining her role in the world.
We wish to extend our deepest appreciation to Fr Evagoras and his amazing team for their support, guidance and hard work in organizing this important program.
