Andrew's Back and for Obama

I recently interviewed contributing writter, Andrew Simon who is working as a grass roots supporter for Presidential candidate, Barack Obama. He has created the attached flyer and is working along with his father, Basil Simon, President of the Detroit Area, Democratic Hellenic Caucas to elect Obama.

"Since I can't vote myself, I feel the need to go out and canvas, and encourage others to vote."

He recommends the following site for more information on Obama in Michigan. Andrew designed the following flyer and encourages all to get involved no matter what your political affiliation.

Grass roots activists can make a difference. Follow Andrew's civic leadership.

Malista!

Camp Leadership - Week 0 - 2008 Appreciating Friendship

Week Zero - Appreciating Friendship, Simple Pleasures, Moving On
By Contributing Writer, Andrew Simon

While many, as they grow older, may change the way they live their lives, it is important to keep a steady fixture in life that allows one to be who they truly are.

This past year I completed one of the most stressful eras of my life, junior year of high school. Yet, I knew that if I wanted to pursue the life that I desire it means that I can not have too relaxing of a summer and I have to continue building myself up for the college application. So I began a high profile internship with a long-serving US Representative in hopes that it will give me the extra boost I need for college. But, I realized, I may have to sacrifice my beloved MDSC for it.

MDSC has always been that part of my life which has allowed me to forget the trials and stresses of home and allow myself to live in an ideal environment filled with faith, love and friendship. I was not happy with the fact that I would break my 10-year streak of attending camp, but I knew that it was something I had to do for my own well-being.

Who am I kidding? I could never miss Greek camp! I knew I now had to devise a plan which would convince my mother to let me go and get me out of work for the week. I will not bore you with the details of how this happened, but a few days prior to the start of camp I reached a deal that allowed me to go up for a partial week beginning on Tuesday. But then my mom realized that even that was ridiculous so she lovingly drove me up Monday night after work.

Although I came in late, my surprise arrival led to a rush of greetings by friends I have known since I was a junior. Soon I was back to the camp life, one I thought I would not take part in at all this year.

Week Zero is an unusual week because it allows for those who are at the Counselor-in-Training age, such as me, to be campers again before they start their sessions as CITs. I was fortunate to attend that week because program-directors in-charge Georgeanne Inempolidis and Mike Chaka packed the week with enough fun that I did not realize I missed the first two days. And Fr. Mark Sietsema of Lansing filled the week with plenty spiritual guidance to make the experience worth it.

In a week that featured old favorites like the Canoe Trip and other camp traditions, it was highlighted by a trip to Funland Amusement Park, a casino night, an Improv night, and what seemed like endless dancing. But what matters most is that because of Week Zero, friendships were strengthened and new ones were formed.

I was one of the lucky ones who could manipulate my summer enough to squeeze in MDSC, but some I know did not have that chance. I spoke to a friend of mine who would usually be at Week Zero with the rest of us, but he was tied down to his job and could not get the week off. His job sounded dreadful too: work at Cheli's Chili when Chris Chelios brought the Stanley Cup in to celebrate. This may sounds like a dream to many, but he told me that lifting the cup could never fill the void of missing camp.
It was unfortunate that this year was the shortest I ever attended camp, but I was there long enough for the magic of camp to enter my heart, and, because of the love from my friends, those five days feel like an eternity.

xxxxx

Andrew will be attending the Ionian Village in Greece this summer and has promised to continue to contribute with stories from Greece. We are looking forward to his upcoming installments. Those of us remaining in Michigan for the summer, we'll see you at camp.

Malista!

Last year's updates from camp...

Camp Leadership - Making a Difference Counts 2007
By Contributing Writer, Andrew Simon

Even at a place like the Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp (MDSC) where everyone is happy and gets along well, there needs to be some sort of authority that keeps the MDSC campers and counselors in line and having a good time.

One of the interesting things about MDSC is that throughout all of its six weeks, it is run by the same core group of people. They include the assistant director Geoff Lowes, program-directors-in-charge (PDIC) John Stephanian and Peter Milonas, water-safety-instructors (WSI) Andrea Caralis and Jon Bills, media director Nick Lionas, and arts-and-crafts director Vassi Sova. All of them have been coming to camp since they were young, and they decided that they would give back to the camp that gave them so many wonderful memories.

"I love being PDIC, I like planning out all of the activities for the kids," said Stephanian. "It's a lot more fun, you're the guy in charge and all of the pressure is on you. If the kids have fun it's because you planned out a great day, if not then you're the guy to blame."

Stephanian went on to say how each week is different because you have to deal with a new director. He said he enjoyed week one the most so far because he got to work with director Steve Chininis.

"I really enjoyed working with Steve Chininis. He is a great director and has a lot to offer," said Stephanian.

But the reason many former campers decide to take on leadership roles at camp is because they want to make a difference. Stephanian said he thinks he made a lasting impression at camp through new activities he has incorporated. For this past week, week two, Stephanian and Milonas ran new activities such as a fashion show where campers dress their counselor, big-bat baseball, new hikes, and many other new twists on old favorites.

"I think I've made a difference because we have incorporated new activities that will be a part of camp forever," said Stephanian.

But all things must come to an end, even if it means you stop coming to the place you love. Stephanian said that this is his last year as PDIC, and he may only come back for a couple weeks next year. He is, however, studying to be a chef and he may come back to camp in the future to cook.

"I'd love to come back with my Thea's and help cook next year since I am studying to be a chef," said Stephanian.

But in the meantime, he and the rest of the directors still have three weeks to go, and they continue to try new activities to make camp as fun as it can be.

Campers second week played dodgeball, baseball, and other sports. There was also a close color wars, which is like an Olympic-like contest where teams of campers battle it out every week to become champions. Stephanian and Milonas brought back the skit night, where every group thinks of a funny skit to perform in front of the whole camp.

All in all, the week ran smoothly with little errors, and that's because of the great group of directors running the camp.

Malista Note: This is Andrew's last week at camp and Cassandra Mallis will assume his duties as Contributing Writer from Camp for Malista. Andrew's contributions were well received and extremely informative. The staff at Malista, appreciate his contribution these past three weeks.We are pleased to announce that Malista has contracted with Andrew for two more submissions, which will include his experiences at Journalism Camp, as well as, upcoming tour of Greece scheduled for this August.

Malista!

From Camper to Counselor - Week 1 - A Growing Experience
by Contributing Writer, Andrew Simon

Photos Available at http://www.detroit.goarch.org/mdsc/gallery/

Week one marked a major transition point in my life. It was the week where I stopped my childish ways once and for all, and started to accept responsibility and discipline as my new way of life.

I was no longer a camper. Along with many of the activities and regular camp traditions I did not have to partake in anymore, I was given new tasks and new obligations that changed my camping experience forever.

There were many obvious changes, such as; I had to make sure that my group of intermediate boys (ages 10-12) are at the right place at the right time, and also making sure that they get along. But there are many life long lessons you learn while counseling kids and the biggest one is that what you say to them can have an effect on them for the rest of their lives. Fr. Mark of Lansing explained this in his sermon during week zero, and I remembered it during my first week of counseling. I tried to make sure that what I said was thought out, because children that age can take a lot of things literally. There brains are sponges, and anything that I could accidentally say or do can be absorbed by them.

Along with making sure that my campers arrive on time, it was important for me to encourage them to participate and have fun with whatever activity they were doing. Changing from the encouraged to the encourager was a major responsibility for me because my job is to make sure kids stay safe and have fun. If they are not having fun then I am failing at my job.

This past week we did many fun events that program directors John Stephanian and Peter Milonas planned and organized without any problems. We did classic activities like swimming, arts and crafts, field games, and orthodox life sessions. The program directors used their creativity to come up with the idea of themed dances. This past Friday's dance was set up as if it was a New Years party, and all the clocks were set later so the whole camp could celebrate New Years together.

Throughout all these activities I needed to encourage my campers, but I had a lot of help doing it. With plenty of more experienced counselors there to guide me along, I had plenty of people to help me out and tell me what I needed to do.

I decided to write an opinion piece instead of a more news oriented article like my last one because I did not have a lot of time to get the interviews and notes I needed and so I decided to write this week on my experience at camp as a counselor.

I personally thought that it was more enjoyable as a counselor, or counselor-in-training (CIT) which all 16 and 17 year olds are called. I enjoyed the freedom, but I also liked the opportunity to inspire younger kids and hopefully set a good example so they too will become responsible counselors to continue the trend of inspiring generations of children with Greek Orthodox beliefs.

Malista! Comment

Andrew Simon is a first time counselor at the Diocese Camp and I am sure that the parents reading this week's contribution will be glad to know that their children are in such good and caring hands. Fr. Mark's message was heard, but more importantly, it was applied. Making a difference in our children's lives, and watching them grow before our eyes, is a gift, and Malista is thrilled to bring Andrew's column to you each week. Congratulations to the staff and administrators who are training our young people to become "encouragers!" This is as good as it gets.

Malista!

Friendship, Faith, Love and Peace -
Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp, Week Zero

Friendship, Faith, Love, Peace
By Contributing Writer, Andrew Simon

Photos Available at http://www.detroit.goarch.org/mdsc/gallery/

A new tradition emerges from a familiar summer lifestyle at Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp (MDSC). To say the very least, staff get a rare chance to become campers all over again.

MDSC is located in Rose City, Michigan and its new week zero has become a huge hit. The week is meant to build friendship and spirituality while allowing all the staff members to get to know each other before the younger campers arrive.

The program is set up so that 16 to 18 year olds, who would normally be counselors or counselors-in-training (CIT) in any of the other weeks, get a chance to basically be campers again before they return to camp and have responsibilities as a counselor. A period of joyful transition from youth to adult.

"I liked not having responsibilities," said Robbie Neros, 17, "and being able to be a camper again."

The week was full of many activities, including old favorites such as basketball, dodge ball, and swimming; and new twists on old favorites like a raft trip instead of a canoe trip. The "campers" took many field trips other than the usual rafting, such as a high-ropes course, a bon fire, and dinner at a local restaurant.

"Going out of camp is a lot of fun," said Neros, "You get to be with your camp friends but you're away from the normal camp setting. Plus I like watching the Tigers game."

This year there were just above 40 campers, with an almost 3-1 ratio of girls to guys, but they all knew each other well and to some it felt like a family reunion, Neros said.

The director for the week was Alexis Malis, the brainchild of Week Zero, who is loved by her campers so much that everyone calls her "Thea Lex."

"Thea Lex is the most awesome person in the world," said Neros, "She's only here to get gratification from us coming closer together as a family and making a difference in all of us."

Week zero is a different experience for many campers because of the different set up compared to the other weeks, but for one camper it was different for a whole other reason. Andreana Masters, 16, recently tore her ACL and had surgery a few weeks prior to camp. Nevertheless, that did not stop her from attending the place she loves.

"It upset me because I like to participate but I couldn't," said Masters, "But everyone was really nice to me and treated me the same."

Malis planned most of the events for week zero, but a lot of the preparations and activities were setup and run by program directors John Stephanian, 20, and Peter Milonas, 19. Milonas, who is in his first year as being program director, said it is difficult because you have to keep a balance schedule that allows everyone to participate.

"If the campers weren't having fun than I wouldn't be doing my job," said Milonas.

However, in the end, it is a church camp. Father Mark Sietsema led the religious side of the camp by offering his highly educated view on the world.

"You can treat me as a TV or an internet connection," said Fr. Mark during an Orthodox Life session. "You can watch and listen to me like a TV or you can interact and communicate with me like an internet connection."

Most campers would concur that 50 weeks out of a year is well worth the wait for the endless feelings of love, friendship, spirituality, and peace.

Malista!

Andrew Simon is a Junior at Grosse Pointe South and the son of Basil and Evey Simon.