Creativity at the Camp

Eighty-two children aged between five and 22 from Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Cincinnati and Oklahoma City came together for the eagerly awaited third Z-Camp hosted by the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) at the Zarathushti Heritage and Cultural Center from June 26 to 28, 2015. Besides giving the participants an opportunity to bond over food and games, the sessions exposed them to a variety of activities by professional experts. As reported in the August issue of Manashni, the ZAH newsletter, "The Z-Camp started with our customary prayers and housekeeping announcements with the campers divided into four teams. The Ghela Ghaderas, Bawa Bewokoof, Chatni… and the Perky Peppy Popats (every year these names just baffle us) started their rivalry in right earnest. The Z-Camp kicked off with some sporting activities like ‘nargolio’ or seven tiles as well as archery and the obstacle races.”
The afternoon session on "Kool Careers” was hosted by the Houston Chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce when different speakers offered insights into the professions they had chosen. Subsequently the youth were tasked to present innovative careers that they thought were "kool.” At the next session the youngsters got an opportunity to start dancing, and the way their pregnant Bollywood teacher was swinging with them, "it looked like we would have a newborn ZAH member very soon!” reported Manashni.

Participants (above) engaged in diverse activities at the Houston Z-Camp Photos: Percy Katrak

Before the ZAH Iron Chef session (based on the lines of the American TV cookery show/contest) started, the teams were given a presentation on "Food trucks” by Aspi Colah who has been in this business for the last 25 years with his two food trucks adding to the cultural ethnic diversity in Houston. Divided into age appropriate groups, all the Iron Chefs soon got to work after visiting the ‘Market Place’ which was set up in the Atrium with three tables laden with vegetables, spices, condiments, carb accompaniments, décor items and all cooking supplies. In a matter of minutes the young collegians prepared "Taco Meat” or kheemo for the Camp’s lunch the following day. The youth group readied various styles of chicken that offered a novel gastronomic experience. The middle group came up with innovative gourmet omelets while the youngest age group created sandwiches and decorated apples. They also made dainty necklaces out of fruit loops cereal and played food games. The two-and-a-half-hour food session was organized by Yasmin Medhora with the judges being Colah, Nikita Gagrat and Nazneen Khumbatta.
The next round of creativity surfaced when the campers were given some blank T-shirts to decorate. The last session for the day was reserved for impromptu skits but to the dismay of many participants and organizers it had to be cancelled due to non-cooperation of some youngsters who claimed to be too tired and yet willingly proceeded to the basketball courts.
June 28 started with an energetic Zumba (Latin inspired dance-fitness activity) session followed by the Home Depot Architects workshop when the campers used wood logs and tools to come up with remarkable creations. Children under 10 were given an opportunity to enjoy waterslides and other water games. At the final session, post lunch, campers had to create their photo story of what they did during the Z-Camp to present to their parents and others. Whilst officially, the Bawa Bewokoof team was awarded the first place, to the organizers everyone who participated was a winner.

Although the inaugural Z-Camp which saw 52 participants was held in October 2013, the subsequent two, in 2014 and 2015, were held in summer, mentions Kayomarz Sidhwa, chair of the organizing committee. The others on the committee included Sarosh Collector, Kamalrukh Gandhi, Aderbad Tamboli, Vehishta Kaikobad and Farzana Sidhwa who along with the volunteers, donors, presenters, parents and campers contributed to the success of the Z-Camp.