ABOUT CAMP

At Camp Javan and Camp Ayandeh, we cultivate more than just a summer program — we nurture a sense of belonging. These camps offer young members of the Iranian diaspora a transformative journey of grounding, community, and cultural celebration.

Camp options:

CAMP JAVAN

Rising 7th to 9th Graders

Workshops on identity, cultural celebration, and peer learning.

CAMP AYANDEH

Rising 10th to recent high school grads

Workshops on identity, cultural celebration, and leadership.

Interested in being a camp counselor or presenting a workshop?

We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic adults to serve as camp counselors. If you are interested in helping youth in the Iranian diaspora build community at Camp Ayandeh and Camp Javan, please fill out a Camp Counselor Application.

CAMP COUNSELOR

Do you have a special skill or interest that you would like to share with youth in the Iranian diaspora? Submit this Workshop Presenter Application to be considered for the 2025 Camp.

Workshop Presenter

CAMP 2025 THEMEs

Cultural Celebration, Grounding, & Community

What kids said about camp

“It changed who I was into someone better and more Iranian and community based.”

“That Camp Ayandeh was one of the best experiences of my whole life and will stick to me until I die. Only a couple days made me realize so much about my culture, about others, and especially about myself as a person.”

“I think I definitely gained a lot of confidence and ability to not make assumptions about people while at camp.”

“Getting to talk about certain things in my Iranian culture that I never discuss outside of camp since everyone shared the same culture. For example knowing what tahdig is!! None of my friends know what that is.”

Tuition

Understanding the varied financial backgrounds of our community, we’ve established a tiered pricing structure. This approach allows families to contribute according to their annual income, ensuring our camps are affordable and accessible to a wider range of participants.

We have a limited number of scholarships available for families who require additional financial assistance.

Pricing tbd

What does your tuition cover?

  • Accommodations and Campus Facilities

  • Meals and Snacks

  • Workshops and Activities

  • Wellness Support

  • Transportation

    Ayandeh can only provide transportation to and from LAX airport

FAQs

  • Our camps are designed for youth from rising 7th graders to recent high school graduates. Ayandeh welcomes anyone who self-identifies with or wants to build community with the Iranian diaspora. No knowledge of Farsi (Persian) or preexisting connection to the Iranian heritage is required. Programming is in English and all cultural references are explained and translated. While our camps are open to all youth between 7th and 12th grade, our camps are located in the United States and international participants may need to obtain a visa to attend.

  • Whittier College (13406 E Philadelphia Street, Whittier, CA 90602) about 30 miles outside of LAX airport. The insulated campus is far from the city and offers a private, comfortable environment for our campers.

  • Campers will need to coordinate their own transportation to Whittier College. However, Ayandeh will provide shuttles for campers flying in and out of LAX on the first day and last day of Camp.

  • We aim to provide an exciting and dynamic experience for our campers that centers grounding, community, and cultural celebration. In a typical day of Camp:

    • The day begins with breakfast and check-ins with counselors.

    • Then campers may move on to a group physical or outdoor activity, like vasati (Iranian dodgeball) before engaging in team building exercises with their small groups. 

    • Before you know it, it will be time for lunch and afterwards campers will have some free time to rest and/or socialize.

    • Then we will move onto cultural and identity workshops—many of which will be led by guest speakers—on arts, poetry writing, storytelling, and more.

    • After that, everyone will meet again for dinner and campers can end their day with free-time to watch a movie, play board games, or wind down before bed.

  • Campers will eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Whittier College’s dining hall. Ayandeh will also provide snacks throughout the day. While Whittier and Ayandeh can accommodate most dietary restrictions, we ask that campers provide advance notice of any allergies, sensitivities, or other restrictions.

  • Campers will be staying at Whittier College’s Stauffer Hall, which is a traditional-style dorm with 2 beds per room and larger shared bathrooms on each floor. Stauffer Hall is available exclusively by our program during Camp. Please reach out to us in advance at camp@ourayandeh.org if your camper has questions, concerns, or special requests regarding accommodations.

  • We will have an onsite health professional at Camp to assess and address mild injuries, illnesses, and mental health concerns. Our onsite health professional can provide wellness products and over-the-counter medications—such as period products or ibuprofen—as well as securing and administering any medications campers need to bring with them to Camp. 


    In the event of a more serious injury or illness, our Camp staff will escort campers to Whittier College’s health clinic, a local urgent care, or local hospital, such as St. Francis Medical Center or PIH Health Downey Hospital. We ask all campers to share their medical information and unique health needs with us during the registration process. We are more than happy to answer questions about your camper’s health while at Camp, please email us at camp@ourayandeh.org with any questions.

  • Ayandeh has a robust health, safety, and emergency plan to ensure the safety of all campers. We also work directly with Whittier College’s onsite Campus Safety Team to address any safety concerns that arise. If you have any questions, please contact us at camp@ourayandeh.org.

  • Parents and guardians are welcome to drop their campers off and pick them up from Whittier College, and campers will be able to use their cell phones during breaks and in the evenings to talk to their families. However, we ask campers to put their phones away or on silent during group activities and guest-presented workshops. Our onsite camp staff will be available throughout Camp to answer any questions from parents and guardians and our counselors will periodically send you pictures and updates.