International Youth Day: AraratBank Ensures Participation of 260 Young People in Tent Camp

ArmInfo. AraratBank has joined the International Youth Day celebrations taking place worldwide today. With the Bank's support, a tent camp has been organized for 260 young people from Yerevan and the regions Armenia in the area adjacent to the picturesque village of Gargar in Lori. The sole purpose of this camp is not merely to conquer heights and master various skills. AraratBank's support enables young people to acquire valuable financial literacy knowledge even while embracing nature.

Group leader Tatevik Hovakimyan has been organizing and leading the programs of the "Young Rescuers" group at the Children’s Youth Republican Center SNCO for about 10 years. The program involves participants from Yerevan and various regions of Armenia. Throughout the year, participants acquire knowledge related to safety behavioral culture, and the top performers are selected to undertake expeditions and climbs of varying difficulty levels. Furthermore, they participate in tent camps held in different regions across Armenia.

The Children’s Youth Republican Center SNCO offers extracurricular non-formal education to its participants, introducing them to the fundamentals of mountaineering, first aid, basic rescue techniques, and terrain navigation skills.

During the war, children demonstrated remarkable navigation skills that not only saved their own lives but also protected their platoon. I consistently highlight that the children here are participating in a unique educational experience—one that cannot be found elsewhere. It is a school of life where they learn to endure challenging conditions and to persevere,” notes Tatevik Hovakimyan, group leader at the Children’s Youth Republican Center SNCO.

Organizing the republican camp demands substantial material and technical resources. It is particularly noteworthy that AraratBank was the first among financial institutions to respond to the proposal to support the Children’s Youth Republican Center SNCO, reaffirming its commitment to educating young people through this initiative.

"Today AraratBank has brought joy to 260 children and provided them with the opportunity to participate in practical courses on navigation, patriotism, and environmental protection," underlines Haykanush Davtyan, Director of the Children’s Youth Republican Center SNCO.

Financial literacy among the young generation has always been prioritized by AraratBank, with particular attention paid to the continuity of financial literacy courses. The latest initiative is a series of financial literacy videos within the framework of the "Parzits Parz" podcast (a series of video explainers on hard stuff in simple words). The podcast is hosted by Ara Chalabyan, AraratBank Board Member and Finance Lecturer at the American University of Armenia, who conducted a financial literacy course for the participants of the camp in an interactive format.

"The role of financial literacy cannot be underestimated, as it fundamentally addresses the need to educate, nurture, and develop responsible citizens. Responsible citizens, in turn, contribute significantly to the development of the country and the establishment of its various institutions. AraratBank, as a company committed to corporate social responsibility and aware of its role within this framework, values the proper and literate development of young citizens and actively invests in this goal," stated Ara Chalabyan.

"These courses are essential so that, when entering a new phase of life, we can manage and utilize our finances effectively," says camp participant Ani Vardanyan. She adds that this summer, which combined education with well-organized leisure activities, will remain a memorable experience throughout her entire life.