The specialized session of the Healthy Lifestyle summer camp at the COAF Smart Center for the winners of the Healthy Lifestyle Ambassadors 2024 competition has come to an end. Organized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, the UN World Food Programme, the School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency, and SIFI, this camp in the picturesque Lori region was not just a summer vacation but a real school of health, where children became true ambassadors of healthy living and learned how to take better care of themselves.
The participants of this specialized session have come a long way. For several months, they worked on health preservation projects, which they later presented at an exhibition in Yerevan. The selection committee picked the top five teams and their creative works across the four categories of the competition.
What were the winning projects about?
A team from Yerevan Secondary School №134 won the ‘Healthy Lifestyle as a Game’ nomination. They created an innovative board game that teaches players about different products and the vitamins they contain.
The students from Zartonk Secondary School in Armavir marz were recognized as the winners of the ‘Tasty and Healthy: My Favorite Healthy Recipe’ nomination with their unique lentil salad recipe.
As part of the ‘Discovering the World of a Healthy Lifestyle: Our Research’ nomination, the team from V. Petrosyan Ashtarak Basic School, Aragatsotn marz, explored sanitation standards in fast food restaurants in one of the districts of Ashtarak. They even proposed healthier menu options, that were adopted by three restaurants.
The team from Yeghegnadzor Basic School №1 in Vayots Dzor marz won the ‘My Healthy Community’ nomination with a social project. They created a healthy lifestyle stand to be displayed at cultural and community events. The activities included a Twister game, a Healthy Plate station, and interactive games highlighting the benefits of fruits and vegetables.
This summer, 16 winning schoolchildren enjoyed a specialized session at the summer camp in Lori, where their hard work and creativity were celebrated.
Healthy summer: how the kids made the most of their time at camp
The specialized session took place from August 12 to 17. During this period, young health enthusiasts gathered at the COAF Smart Center Hotel, embarking on an exciting journey into the world of wellness.
The first day kicked off with a grand opening ceremony, which felt like a true celebration, bringing together children, parents, and organizers. Attendees included Satenik Mkrtchyan, Director of the School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency, Kristine Galstyan from the Ministry of Health of Armenia, Arpine Mazhinyan from the UN World Food Programme, and Liana Levonyan representing SIFI. The event featured vibrant video introductions from the competition participants, project presentations, the Healthy Lifestyle Ambassadors' oath, and icebreaker games to help everyone get acquainted. The grand opening set the tone for an exciting week ahead. The children were introduced to the camp program and faced their main challenge: to create mini-performances about healthy living by the end of the session.
Special task
Throughout the week, the children embarked on an imaginative journey through four ‘magical worlds’: physical activity, healthy lifestyle, healthy eating, and water benefits. Each team developed scripts for performances on healthy living, using the knowledge they gained during the lectures, and became the stars of their own mini-productions. These performances were showcased at the session’s closing ceremony.
Educational program highlights
During the six-day session, the participants explored the principles of healthy living. They:
Each day was packed with games, dances, and fun activities that not only educated but also helped create new friendships, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
As the camp ends, a new journey toward health begins
The specialized session concluded with a memorable closing ceremony, attended by distinguished guests, including WFP Representative and Country Director Nanna Skau, Armenia's Deputy Minister of Health Artak Jumanyan, and Siddhartha Datta from the World Health Organization, among others.
The children proudly showcased their final performances, each focused on promoting healthy habits:
The guests were impressed by the children's enthusiasm and dedication, praising the camp for its impactful work. They emphasized the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles and expressed confidence that these young ambassadors would inspire their peers to make healthier choices.
Nanna Skau congratulated the children on becoming true ambassadors of a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing that their mission now is to start sharing what they've learned with their friends, parents, and siblings: “We should always remember that when you take care of your body, it will thank you in return.”
Siddhartha Datta, WHO Representative and Head of Country Office, said it’s an honor for him to meet the young ambassadors—children who may one day shape the future of healthcare in Armenia: “Your mission as ambassadors is to live a healthy lifestyle yourselves and, by doing so, inspire others to follow your example.”
The ceremony ended with a lively dance flash mob to the Anthem of a Healthy Lifestyle.
This specialized session provided the children with new knowledge, lasting friendships, and active, fun-filled days. Through their participation, the kids were inspired to adopt and promote healthy habits. The Healthy Lifestyle Ambassadors camp wasn’t just a summer experience—it marked the start of a healthier, more energized, and positive future!
The participants of this specialized session have come a long way. For several months, they worked on health preservation projects, which they later presented at an exhibition in Yerevan. The selection committee picked the top five teams and their creative works across the four categories of the competition.
What were the winning projects about?
A team from Yerevan Secondary School №134 won the ‘Healthy Lifestyle as a Game’ nomination. They created an innovative board game that teaches players about different products and the vitamins they contain.
The students from Zartonk Secondary School in Armavir marz were recognized as the winners of the ‘Tasty and Healthy: My Favorite Healthy Recipe’ nomination with their unique lentil salad recipe.
As part of the ‘Discovering the World of a Healthy Lifestyle: Our Research’ nomination, the team from V. Petrosyan Ashtarak Basic School, Aragatsotn marz, explored sanitation standards in fast food restaurants in one of the districts of Ashtarak. They even proposed healthier menu options, that were adopted by three restaurants.
The team from Yeghegnadzor Basic School №1 in Vayots Dzor marz won the ‘My Healthy Community’ nomination with a social project. They created a healthy lifestyle stand to be displayed at cultural and community events. The activities included a Twister game, a Healthy Plate station, and interactive games highlighting the benefits of fruits and vegetables.
This summer, 16 winning schoolchildren enjoyed a specialized session at the summer camp in Lori, where their hard work and creativity were celebrated.
Healthy summer: how the kids made the most of their time at camp
The specialized session took place from August 12 to 17. During this period, young health enthusiasts gathered at the COAF Smart Center Hotel, embarking on an exciting journey into the world of wellness.
The first day kicked off with a grand opening ceremony, which felt like a true celebration, bringing together children, parents, and organizers. Attendees included Satenik Mkrtchyan, Director of the School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency, Kristine Galstyan from the Ministry of Health of Armenia, Arpine Mazhinyan from the UN World Food Programme, and Liana Levonyan representing SIFI. The event featured vibrant video introductions from the competition participants, project presentations, the Healthy Lifestyle Ambassadors' oath, and icebreaker games to help everyone get acquainted. The grand opening set the tone for an exciting week ahead. The children were introduced to the camp program and faced their main challenge: to create mini-performances about healthy living by the end of the session.
Special task
Throughout the week, the children embarked on an imaginative journey through four ‘magical worlds’: physical activity, healthy lifestyle, healthy eating, and water benefits. Each team developed scripts for performances on healthy living, using the knowledge they gained during the lectures, and became the stars of their own mini-productions. These performances were showcased at the session’s closing ceremony.
Educational program highlights
During the six-day session, the participants explored the principles of healthy living. They:
- discovered the secrets of a balanced diet with the specialists of the School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency, and learned how to prepare tasty and nutritious salads.
- explored personal hygiene with Lusine Sahakyan, Health Programs Manager at the COAF Foundation, discovering how to properly care for themselves.
- learned techniques for managing stress and understanding their emotions.
- visited Hovhannes Tumanyan House-Museum, soaking in the legacy of the great Armenian writer and learning about his life.
- practiced acting skills, which helped them prepare for their final performances.
- learned essential first-aid techniques.
- planted microgreens and learned how to care for plants.
Each day was packed with games, dances, and fun activities that not only educated but also helped create new friendships, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
As the camp ends, a new journey toward health begins
The specialized session concluded with a memorable closing ceremony, attended by distinguished guests, including WFP Representative and Country Director Nanna Skau, Armenia's Deputy Minister of Health Artak Jumanyan, and Siddhartha Datta from the World Health Organization, among others.
The children proudly showcased their final performances, each focused on promoting healthy habits:
- In The Legend of the Water World, the kids told the story of the Water Dragon, who helped Anita break a spell and learn the importance of proper hydration.
- A romantic ballad, Prince Super Aram, highlighted the significance of daily routines and hygiene. The story is about Prince Aram, who lost his superpowers because of bad habits, but his love for Princess Ariana helped him regain them and get back to a healthy lifestyle.
- In the fun and lighthearted performance, The World of Physical Activity, the characters battled "bad habits" that arrived to destroy their planet.
- The puppet theater production focused on healthy eating. In this skit, Detective Sherlock Taste found out why Eliza wasn’t feeling well—she had befriended sweets, chips, and soda. With his help, Eliza got rid of unhealthy habits and restored her health.
The guests were impressed by the children's enthusiasm and dedication, praising the camp for its impactful work. They emphasized the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles and expressed confidence that these young ambassadors would inspire their peers to make healthier choices.
Nanna Skau congratulated the children on becoming true ambassadors of a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing that their mission now is to start sharing what they've learned with their friends, parents, and siblings: “We should always remember that when you take care of your body, it will thank you in return.”
Siddhartha Datta, WHO Representative and Head of Country Office, said it’s an honor for him to meet the young ambassadors—children who may one day shape the future of healthcare in Armenia: “Your mission as ambassadors is to live a healthy lifestyle yourselves and, by doing so, inspire others to follow your example.”
The ceremony ended with a lively dance flash mob to the Anthem of a Healthy Lifestyle.
This specialized session provided the children with new knowledge, lasting friendships, and active, fun-filled days. Through their participation, the kids were inspired to adopt and promote healthy habits. The Healthy Lifestyle Ambassadors camp wasn’t just a summer experience—it marked the start of a healthier, more energized, and positive future!